Page 146 - NS-2 Textbook

THE COLD WAR ERA 139

The invasion of Grenada by a joint u.s. task force in Odober 1983 underscored American resolve to resist communist takeovers of democratic
governments in the Western Hemisphere during the 19805.

been lawfully elected in May. These forces joined another presently serving a prison sentence after being convicted
12,000 U.s. military personnel, mostly Army, already sta- on drug-h'afficking charges.
tioned in the Panama Canal Zone. The successful intenrention restored democracy to
The intervention, called Operation Just Cause, was Panama, and, despite many protestations by neighboring
the largest U.S. military operation in the 1980s. Some Central American countries at the time, U.S. interests in
fierce fighting occurred at times, but rapid envelopment the region have been more secure since.
by coordinated iliborne and armored u.s. forces quickly
overcame most PDF strongholds. By the end of the da)\ TERRORISM
most military objectives had been achieved, and only
scattered pockets of resistance remained. Noriega him- One of the more unforl:tmate trends that marked the
self managed to elude capture and sought refuge at the 1980s was the rise of terrorism worldwide, especially in
Vatican's diplomatic mission in Panama City. He eventu- connection with events in the Middle East. Principal
ally surrendered to U.S. authorities in January 1990. He an10ng these events was the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted
was later transported to the United States, where he is most of the decade. Of only slightly less importance was