The Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington D.C. think-tank, is probably the most listened to (by lawmakers) non-governmental organization working on hemispheric affairs. For instance, it's staff are the go-to authors for publications put out by the Council on Foreign Relations, which is also very listened to. Basically, people in government – on both sides of the aisle, but particularly Democrats – tend to take what the Dialogue says very seriously.

So it's interesting to see the recent report put out by the Dialogue providing the Obama administration a 10-point programmatic agenda on how to fix U.S.-Latin America relations, which the report reminds the reader are at their worst point "since the end of the Cold War."

The points made by the report, titled, "Second Chance: U.S. Policy in the Americas," could be summarized as follows, with a few minor annotations (bulleted) of my opinions:

1. Washington must help Latin America cope with the "Made in the USA" economic crisis by reviving its own economy, keeping down trade barriers, and lending assistance to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• Most Latin American countries will do their best to stay as far away from the IMF as possible, but some counter-cyclical spending is needed. Many countries in the region have built up a good cushion of reserves over the last five years thanks to high commodity prices that they could draw on. But some countries might have few choices, particularly since alternative sources are probably unavailable (Venezuela and Bank of the South).

2. End the 50-years policy of trying to isolate Cuba. Grabbing at this low hanging fruit would help improve relations with the entire region. The report notes, "In fact, nothing will do more to convince the region’s governments that the Obama administration is committed to changing its approach to hemispheric affairs."

• No brainer. You had me at "End." But the report never specifically mentions lifting the embargo.

3. Help Mexico economically, but more importantly on security issues. One idea of the report: "It may be time for the two governments to develop a joint border authority to better coordinate security activities."

• Yikes! 

4. Review and step up assistance to anti-crime initiatives in the region. But also, "A thorough rethinking and revision of U.S. anti-drug strategy, conducted jointly with key regional governments, would be particularly helpful."

• Yes! Rethinking the drug war is a must, but then why would they make recommendations like #3? Anti-crime initiatives should not be militarized, the poor countries of the region need a Marshall Plan, not more Plan Colombias.

5. Comprehensive immigration reform: Give legal status to 12 million undocumented, provide temporary worker programs, stop building the border wall, and protect immigrant rights.

• Another no brainer.

6. Pass pending free trade agreements (Colombia and Panama), restore or extend trade preferences (Bolivia and Paraguay), and work with Brazil on a regional and global trade strategy.

• Passing the Colombia FTA would be a serious betrayal of Obama's campaign stance, though they could always spin it by citing Colombia's supposed "progress." It appears the administration is already moving in this direction. Trade preferences are, however, a good way to help desperately poor countries. However, the report hints that the long-abandoned Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) remains unfinished business.

7. Vigorously seek Brazil's strategic partnership by beginning with a few key issues: "climate change, energy development, and world trade negotiations."

• The Bush administration started this, and it is definitely going to continue under Obama: The U.S. will increasingly use Brazil as an interlocutor (or wedge) for the region, particularly while Lula is in power. On March 14, Lula will become the first Latin president to meet with Obama since his inauguration (Mexico's Calderón met with Obama before he was sworn in).

8. Ease diplomatic tensions with Venezuela, but keep expectations low.

• I don't have a whole lot of long-term "hope" on this front either. Both governments will do their part to scuttle bilateral relations.

9. Build back up the U.S.'s lost credibility on democracy and human rights by working in a multilateral fashion to "safeguard" both.

• Yes, as long as this doesn't produce fifth-column "democracy promotion" programs that support U.S.-allied political movements through the National Endowment for Democracy and USAID. The likelihood of Obama stopping these programs is virtually zero, thus U.S. credibility on democracy will continue to be undermined.

10. Help Haiti: Suspend deportation of Haitians, expand aid, and encourage multilateral cooperation to help the Caribbean nation.

• Another no brainer, as long as these moves respect the wishes of the Haitian people.

Part of the problem with the report (and the Dialogue) is that it advocates on behalf of protecting and promoting "U.S. interests" in the region. This disregard for the region's own self-determination is precisely what profoundly irks Latin Americans and their governments so much about the United States. Obama should shelve the Monroe Doctrine.

On a rhetorical level, Obama could say these words at the upcoming Summit of the Americas and make HUGE gains: "Latin America is not and never was the so-called 'backyard' of the United States. It's time the United States treats this hemisphere for what it truly is: a neighborhood."

The presidents would give that simple statement a standing ovation.