Americas Program

A leading source of ideas defining the future of national security, analyzing geopolitical trends, and addressing key political, economic, and social challenges facing the region

The Program was established with the clear, forward-looking mission to elevate the policy discussion on the Western Hemisphere. The program aims to influence through timely, practical, and insightful analysis and policy recommendations for partners in the United States and the region.

The Americas Program focuses on six thematic priorities:

  1. The authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba as well as democratic backsliding in other countries as a driver of regional instability.
  2. Economic development, strengthening supply chains, forging closer trade linkages between the United States and the region, and nearshoring critical industries.
  3. The long-term impact of China’s rise, the continued relevance of Russia and other extra-hemispheric powers, in a region shaped by strategic rivalry.
  4. Security, especially transnational criminal organizations and illicit economies, particularly in Mexico, the Northern Triangle, and Colombia.
  5. Governance challenges and their effects, including weak rule of law, endemic corruption, migration, inequality, and human rights violations.
  6. Civil-military relations and defense cooperation.

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Featured Analysis

Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Mining for Defense: Unlocking the Potential for U.S.-Canada Collaboration on Critical Minerals

CSIS Americas Deputy Director and Senior Fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, and Alejandra Toro analyze the potential for closer U.S.-Canada cooperation on the critical minerals that underpin both countries' defense industrial bases.

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Brief by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, and Alejandra Toro — February 18, 2025

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35 West

The End of Arctic Exceptionalism

In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Vincent Rigby, senior adviser with the CSIS Americas Program and professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Together, they discuss Canada's current force posture in the arctic and priorities for bolstering Canadian sovereignty there.

Podcast Episode by Christopher Hernandez-Roy and Vincent Rigby — March 20, 2025

CSIS 35 West
Mexico Matters

Everything is Relative—including Tariffs

In this episode, Mariana speaks with Luis de la Calle, renowned economist, former NAFTA negotiator and the CEO of CMM Asociados. 

Podcast Episode by Mariana Campero — March 14, 2025

CSIS Mexico Matters
35 West

Aid Freezes and Security in the Andes

In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Elizabeth Dickinson, Senior Analyst for the Andes at Crisis Group. Together, they discuss how the cutoff of U.S. assistance is impacting security and counter-narcotics efforts in Colombia.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg — March 6, 2025

CSIS 35 West
Audio Briefs

Chinese Ports in Panama Come Under New Management

An audio version of “Chinese Ports in Panama Come Under New Management,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe — March 6, 2025

Audio Briefs

Chinese Ports in Panama Come Under New Management

CSIS Americas Program director Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe examine the significant of a recent deal for BlackRock to acquire ports along the Panama Canal.

Critical Questions by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe — March 6, 2025

What Is the Significance of Venezuela’s Naval Incursion into Guyana?

CSIS Americas Program director Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Rubi Bledsoe, Henry Ziemer, and Eitan Casaverde examine Venezuela's recent naval incursions into Guyanese waters.

Critical Questions by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Rubi Bledsoe, Henry Ziemer, and Eitan Casaverde — March 5, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Is the Significance of Venezuela’s Naval Incursion into Guyana?

An audio version of “What Is the Significance of Venezuela’s Naval Incursion into Guyana?” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Rubi Bledsoe, Henry Ziemer, and Eitan Casaverde. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Rubi Bledsoe, Henry Ziemer, and Eitan Casaverde — March 5, 2025

Audio Briefs

China-owned Chancay Port Set to Become Latin America’s Third Largest

The latest capacity projections for the Chancay Port reflect China's expanding influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Chinese port ownership could create strategic vulnerabilities and gain leverage over hemispheric commerce.

Chart by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and Henry Ziemer — February 25, 2025