Panamanian General Noriega, a valuable asset for the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement bodies in the 1970s, by mid-1980s turned into a liability and headache for the U.S. Administration because of his involvement in international drug trafficking. First, Congress members were the first to take harsh stance toward the Panamanian in the mid-1980. Later, in February 1988, the federal court in Florida indicted Noriega for drug trafficking charges. From early 1988, the Reagan Administration condemned the Noriega regime and imposed harsh political and economic sanctions against the dictator. Despite repeated attempts first by the Reagan Administration and then by the Bush Administration to force Noriega’s resignation and departure, the General demonstrated an uncompromising position. Eventually, the U.S. Administration made a decision to use military force in December 1989, invaded Panama and took General Noriega into custody. The Bush Administration’s decision on invasion is analyzed through three foreign policy decision-making analysis tools - the Rational Actor Model (RAM), Prospect theory and Governmental politics.
