The Challenges Facing the Hemisphere in the Area of Security

This article reflects on the challenges facing the hemisphere in terms of security, based on the diagnoses and progress that has been made in this area by the Committee on Hemispheric Security of the Organization of American States and the new scenario that has arisen in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11. In her essay, the author contrasts the positions of Mexico and the United States, a country in which substantial changes have taken place since the coming to office of its current administration. Bermúdez concludes that, in light of the forthcoming Special Conference on Security, reforms to the hemispheric security system need to be consolidated, while a multidimensional approach to the subject and a spirit of cooperation need to be encouraged in order to avoid a militarist line of action being taken.