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:
- The authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba as well as democratic backsliding in other countries as a driver of regional instability.
- Economic development, strengthening supply chains, forging closer trade linkages between the United States and the region, and nearshoring critical industries.
- 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.
- Security, especially transnational criminal organizations and illicit economies, particularly in Mexico, the Northern Triangle, and Colombia.
- Governance challenges and their effects, including weak rule of law, endemic corruption, migration, inequality, and human rights violations.
- Civil-military relations and defense cooperation.
Contact Information
- Henry Ziemer
- Associate Fellow, Americas Program
- 202.775.3244
- HZiemer@csis.org
Projects
Featured Analysis

Photo: DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images
Under the Gun: Firearms Trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean
Report by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, and Azucena Duarte — November 19, 2024
Featured Event
Addressing Maduro’s Oil Lifeline in the Wake of a Stolen Election
In the News 8 of 513 results
Trump's antagonism risks pushing U.S. allies closer to China
Ryan C. Berg in NBC — February 11, 2025
Untangling the MAGA mind on tariffs
Christopher Hernandez-Roy in The Globe and Mail — February 10, 2025
Why the Trump administration is fixated on Latin America
Ryan C. Berg in Vox — February 10, 2025
Judge delays Trump’s USAID furlough, while aid organizations warn of catastrophe
Christopher Hernandez-Roy in The Globe and Mail — February 7, 2025
Rubio to meet with Dominican officials to close Latin America tour
Ryan C. Berg in Voice of America — February 5, 2025
Rubio welcomes Panama’s move to exit Chinese infrastructure plan as ‘great step forward’
Ryan C. Berg in The Guardian — February 3, 2025
Rubio hails Panama's move to exit Chinese infrastructure plan
Ryan C. Berg in Reuters — February 3, 2025
Rubio to Panama: China exerting ‘unacceptable’ control of canal
Ryan C. Berg in Voice of America — February 2, 2025
All Americas Program Content
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Changing of the Guard: It’s Time for Washington to Strengthen SOUTHCOM
Commentary by Wilder Alejandro Sánchez and Ryan C. Berg — October 23, 2024
The Elected Autocrat: Why Rigged Elections Matter
Commentary by Martin Pimentel and Rubi Bledsoe — October 23, 2024
Navigating Geopolitics and Security in Latin America's Ports
Event — October 17, 2024
Canada-U.S. Defence Relations in a Turbulent Time
Report by Vincent Rigby — October 17, 2024
Impediment to Change or Last Resort? The ICC Case Against the Maduro Regime
Podcast Episode by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — October 17, 2024

Colombia: Implications of Domestic Economic and Security Policy
Commentary by Kimberly Breier and Antonio Leal Holguín — October 16, 2024

The International Response to Maduro's Election Fraud
Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg and Thiago de Aragão — October 3, 2024


The 2024 Presidential Election and the United States’ Shared Neighborhood
Commentary by Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — September 26, 2024