Given the scarcity of research into Paraguayan foreign relations, and the importance of the United States in Paraguayan political history, a comprehensive study of the relationship between Paraguay and its closest international ally is long overdue. In Paraguay and the United States: Distant Allies, Frank O Mora, an established authority on US-Paraguayan relations, and the historian Jerry Cooney, seek to fill a void in the literature by analysing the development of Paraguay's own ‘special relationship’.

This is a fascinating book that not only carefully documents the development of economic, political and even cultural relations between the countries, but does so within a framework of historical analysis. Thus, in this sense, the book provides both an informative historical overview of the country as well as a highly informed analysis of a case study in international relations. This makes it broadly accessible to a wide audience, ranging from experts on Paraguay to students of international affairs to non-specialists. This outcome is aided by a highly accessible narrative style, which flows eloquently and makes the book a pleasurable as well as an informative read. The extensive, focused and relevant research that underpins the text is skilfully woven into the narrative, and is enhanced by detailed referencing throughout and a bibliographical essay in the appendix, which is sufficiently detailed and well written to be useful for all scholars of Paraguay.

The first sections of the book take us from 1840, through the Triple Alliance War (1864–70) to the attempts of the US to mediate in the Chaco War (1932–35), with careful documentation of the slow development of US interest in Paraguay. The narrative really takes off, however, with the rapid growth of US economic and political involvement during and immediately after the Second World War, as the US swiftly became Paraguay's most important economic partner. From the outset, the authors make clear the political dimension of economic and military aid as a lever with which the United States could pressure Paraguayan domestic politics into a pattern more favourable to its own interests, whilst for certain Paraguayan elite interests (such as the Colorado Party) US material support represented a key component of retention of power. Leverage, benefits – and manipulation – were to a great extent mutual.

The special relationship reached its peak of course during the earlier years of the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner (1954–89), and it is in this section, which takes up almost 40 percent of the book, that the analysis, research and documentation is at its very best. Through detailed research, Mora and Cooney argue coherently and knowledgeably how, in return for almost unconditional Paraguayan support for US policy and significant leverage in domestic affairs, the US offered political legitimacy as well as economic and military aid to enable Stroessner to establish himself in power, modernise the country and finance the considerable webs of patronage and corruption that underpinned party and military loyalty. Indeed, the authors argue that through five successive administrations (between 1954 and 1977), US backing was the mainstay of the regime's political survival.

The authors also make clear the cynical nature of the relationship. Whilst Washington was willing to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses, corruption, drug smuggling and lack of democracy, Stroessner sought to manipulate US Cold War fears, cynically exaggerating the communist threat, presenting himself as a staunch supporter of US regional interests. Despite increasing discomfort with elements of the Stroessner regime, it was not until the Carter administration that relations began to deteriorate, a process that continued under Reagan (for very different reasons), as Paraguay became increasingly isolated in a continent undergoing a wave of democratisation.

The final 30 pages examine the transition (1989-present), as the US reasserted itself as a major political actor in Paraguayan domestic politics, applying pressure on the ruling Colorado Party to protect democratic institutions and procedures, whilst pursuing its own agenda regarding narcotics, contraband and violation of intellectual property rights. The documentation of events continues to be outstanding and the link between the growth of the US role in domestic affairs and the weakness and lack of legitimacy of Paraguayan democratic institutions and elites is clearly and effectively made. However, there is no real critical questioning of the level of US influence in Paraguayan politics, its role as ‘ultimate domestic arbiter’ (p. 258) and its ability to ‘shape any, perhaps all, political outcomes in Paraguay’ (p. 253). Instead, the implication that is made is that the US will continue to protect Paraguay's democratic institutions and that closer trade and security links with the US are both likely and positive. The desirability of a sovereign nation allowing a foreign power to wield such influence in domestic politics is left unexplored.

The section is also comparatively brief, with the authors choosing to end the book with the 1999 political crisis, and then offer a short five-page epilogue, which briefly discusses events since then in very general terms and with a limited focus on security and anti-terrorism. This is a pity for a book published in 2007, especially given the many important issues that have emerged over the period – including the fascinating relationship between Nicanor Duarte Frutos (2004–2008) and the US government – which would have enriched this study.

Perhaps too what would have most enhanced this work would have been an overview chapter, whether introductory or concluding. With such a wealth of detailed information emerging from the Paraguayan case study, it is to be regretted that a broader analysis of the trajectory, nature, dangers and limits of such an asymmetrical relationship is not developed within a theoretical framework. The book deserves such a chapter to bring together the many related but different strands of this relationship which are so well documented throughout.

However, this remains an impressive, eloquently written and fascinating book, and an important and welcome addition to the literature, which will appeal to scholars and students alike. The research is detailed and painstakingly woven into a fluent narrative which guides us through the complex history of an intimate but highly asymmetrical relationship – which while of only marginal importance to the US, as the authors point out, has shaped and defined much of Paraguayan domestic politics over the past 60 years.