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.

Contact Information

Projects

Featured Analysis

Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

USMCA Review 2026

CSIS Americas experts evaluate key challenges and opportunities ahead of the 2026 joint review of the USMCA free trade agreement.

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Brief by Diego Marroquín Bitar, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and Earl Anthony Wayne — August 18, 2025

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Featured Event

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Audio Briefs

Pentagon Announces a New Counternarcotics Task Force in the Caribbean

An audio version of "⁠Pentagon Announces a New Counternarcotics Task Force in the Caribbean⁠," a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, and Isabel Teran. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, and Isabel Teran — October 23, 2025

Audio Briefs
Mexico Matters

AI: Leapfrogging into the Future

In this episode, Mariana speaks with Jimena Pardo and Federico Antoni, Managing Partners of Hi Ventures, a Venture Capital fund investing in AI startups in Latin America.

Podcast Episode by Mariana Campero — October 21, 2025

CSIS Mexico Matters

When Crime Becomes Terror: Rethinking the FTO Designation

CSIS Americas Research Associate Rubi Bledsoe analyzes the recent designations of criminal organizations as FTOs by the Trump administration and discusses key similarities and differences between the groups.

Commentary by Rubi Bledsoe — October 21, 2025

Audio Briefs

When Crime Becomes Terror: Rethinking the FTO Designation

An audio version of “⁠When Crime Becomes Terror: Rethinking the FTO Designation⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Rubi Bledsoe. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs

Podcast Episode by Rubi Bledsoe — October 21, 2025

Audio Briefs
35 West

Canada-Mexico Ties in an Era of Uncertainty

In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Graeme Clark to discuss Canada-Mexico relations.

Podcast Episode by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — October 16, 2025

CSIS 35 West