'Southern Blindness': A View from the UK on Chinese and Russian Influence in the Global South
Please join Daniel F. Runde, CSIS William A. Schreyer Chair and Director of the Americas Program, for a virtual armchair discussion with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, James Heappey MP.
In recent years China and Russia have increased their involvement and malign state activity in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and the South Pacific, as well as increasing competition over Antarctica. Through entryism of new trade and investment partnerships as well as diplomatic efforts, they have established a presence throughout the region that undermines strategic interests such as democracy building, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights.
This conversation will address the U.S.-U.K foreign policy risks of neglecting the global south. To prevent such destabilizing behavior becoming a new norm in an era of strategic competition, allies must coordinate and prioritize efforts to understand and counter malign influence in the global south.
The imminent publication of the U.S. National Security and Defense strategies makes this a timely moment to take stock of this shared challenge. Minister Heappey will share insights from his experience as Minister for the Armed Forces.
This event was made possible due to general funding to CSIS.
