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: RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images

Driving Change: How EVs Are Reshaping China’s Economic Relationship with Latin America

Ilaria Mazzocco, Ryan Berg, and Rubi Bledsoe write about the climate and economic opportunities and risks that come from new investments by China in value chains in Latin America and the Caribbean. In response, Washington must find new ways to engage with the region.

Brief by Ilaria Mazzocco, Ryan C. Berg, and Rubi Bledsoe — September 19, 2024

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Audio Briefs

En Español: La Olla a Presión del Esequibo: Nacionalismo Desbocado y Estrategia de Compelencia de Maduro

Una versión en audio de “La Olla a Presión del Esequibo: Nacionalismo Desbocado y Estrategia de Compelencia de Maduro”, un nuevo comentario de Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. y Jennifer Jun del CSIS. Este audio fue generado con texto a voz por Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — May 15, 2024

Audio Briefs

Mineral Demands for Resilient Semiconductor Supply Chains

CSIS Americas director Ryan C. Berg, Emiliano Polo Anaya, and Henry Ziemer survey potential risk vectors in the supply of critical minerals for semiconductor manufacturing and outline the potential for the Western Hemisphere to mitigate these challenges.

Brief by Ryan C. Berg, Henry Ziemer, and Emiliano Polo Anaya — May 15, 2024

Audio Briefs

“The Essequibo Pressure Cooker: Runaway Nationalism and Maduro’s Compellence Strategy”: Audio Brief with Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy

A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy on their commentary with Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun, “The Essequibo Pressure Cooker: Runaway Nationalism and Maduro’s Compellence Strategy.”

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — May 14, 2024

Audio Briefs

The Essequibo Pressure Cooker: Runaway Nationalism and Maduro’s Compellence Strategy

Since CSIS last analyzed military activity within and nearby the disputed Essequibo territory, the Venezulean armed forces have continued to increase their presence, while rhetoric from Caracas is leading down a worrying course.

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — May 14, 2024

Audio Briefs

U.S. Operational Retreat from Antarctica

An audio version of “U.S. Operational Retreat from Antarctica,” a new commentary by CSIS’s William "Bill" Muntean III. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by William "Bill" Muntean III — May 9, 2024

Audio Briefs

U.S. Operational Retreat from Antarctica

CSIS Americas Program senior associate William "Bill" Muntean III assesses the implications of the United States' decision to reduce its short-term activities and long-term capabilities in Antarctica in an era of geopolitical competition. 

Commentary by William "Bill" Muntean III — May 8, 2024