Failure of the United States to adequately engage its Latin American partners, on whom American consumers depend for a full one-fourth of their oil supply, is the Achilles heel not only of American foreign policy, but of its energy policy as well. Contributor, Dr. Nancy Brune of Sandia National Lab, lays out what are some of the cascading effects of America's 'unfocused engagement' with our neighbors. These effects include creeping Russian, Iranian and Chinese influence in countries of importance to US national security interests, not the least of which where energy is concerned.