Through an in-depth analysis of modern Mexico, Shannon O'Neil provides a roadmap for the United States' greatest overlooked foreign policy challenge of our time--relations with its southern neighbor.

Even as Mexico continues to struggle with grave security threats, its steady rise is transforming the country's economy, society, and political system. Given the Mexico's bright future and the interests it shares with the United States in energy, manufacturing, and security, Washington needs to start seeing its southern neighbor as a partner instead of a problem.

Shannon K. O'Neil says after Republicans' election-year drubbing, the United States has an historic opportunity to fix its broken immigration system. And the arguments against reform simply don't hold up anymore.

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, Shannon O'Neil charts the progress of Mexico's economic and democratic reforms. She sees grounds for optimism on both fronts but concludes that Mexico risks falling behind unless it redoubles efforts to overcome its authoritarian past.

Dora Beszterczey and Shannon K. O'Neil say the best crime fighting strategy in Latin America may be improving economic opportunities for all.

This study examines low-carbon technology innovation and absorption in China, India, and Brazil. It recommends a course for U.S. policy that promotes accelerated innovation and adoption of new technologies while protecting U.S. commercial interests.

Clean-energy technology is expensive and the United States is spending far too little on developing it.

Shannon K. O'Neil testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs and  Committee on Homeland Security on the way forward for U.S.-Mexico security cooperation.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón's state visit to Washington could highlight immigration concerns at a time of growing cross-border partnership on Mexico's drug war, says CFR's Shannon O'Neil.

Shannon O'Neil discusses how Mexico and the United States are heading toward a new collaboration in tackling drug violence.

A new shift in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation that focuses on border surveillance and the underpinnings of drug violence is a good long-term approach, but will require patience on both sides, says CFR Latin America expert Shannon O'Neil.

In Ciudad Juarez, where three people with connections to the U.S. consulate were killed over the weekend, it's local gangs rather than drug cartels that are spreading violence, says CFR's Shannon O'Neil. To fight them, part of what's needed is better law and police enforcement and better education.

Shannon O'Neil discusses the prospects for the United States' relationship with Brazil.

The election of a new president, argues Shannon K. O'Neil, ushers in new era for politics in Chile.

CFR Fellow Shannon K. O'Neil says Brazil is "taking ownership" of diplomacy surrounding the Honduras political stalemate in part because the Organization of American States has been unable to effectively manage the crisis.

Shannon K. O'Neil discusses crime and violence in Venezuela.

This report from the Center for International Governance (CIGI) identifies opportunities to lay the groundwork for the development of concrete initiatives to address the
strategic needs of the Western Hemisphere for a sustainable energy future.

Brazen assassinations, kidnappings, and political intimidation by drug lords conjure up images of Colombia in the early 1990s. Yet today it is Mexico that is being engulfed by escalating violence, and U.S. gun laws, immigration rules, drug control and border policies all have exacerbated the problems.

Shannon K. O'Neil writes that, "South American integration has the potential to lessen an unhealthy dynamic within U.S.-Latin America relations."

Shannon K. O'Neil discusses America's influential role in the war on drugs.

Shannon K. O'Neil and Sebastian Chaskel write that "the U.S. can improve Colombia's human rights situation by bolstering economic opportunities through the FTA."

CFR's Latin America Studies Program outlines the implications of the global financial crisis for Latin America.