Julia E. Sweig discusses Brazil's women's affairs minister, Eleonora Menicucci.

Brazil's rapid economic growth has transformed the country into a new global heavyweight, but Brazil must not let an overly ambitious foreign policy agenda distract it from lingering domestic challenges.

A remarkably accessible portrait of Cuba's unique place on the world stage over the past fifty years, including its internal politics, its often fraught relationship with the United States, and its shifting relationship with the global community.

Julia Sweig reflects on Brazil's new domestic workers law.

Julia Sweig reflects on implications of the Boston Marathon bombings in the midst of debates on gun control and immigration reform.

Julia Sweig looks at Venezuela's upcoming presidential election through the lens of advertisements.

The Brazilian government faces a number of challenges and opportunities concerning its economic forecast in the coming years. After peaking at 7.5 percent growth in 2010, Brazil's recent economic slowdown has caused worry that the dream of a new high-growth economy had slipped out of reach.

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Julia E. Sweig addresses the transition of Catholic demographics and the cultural power of the papacy.

Julia E. Sweig argues that the post-Castro era was ushered in by Raul Castro's implementation of new reforms on the island.

Julia E. Sweig argues the United States has been a marginal actor in Latin America, but this could change in the Obama administration's second term.

Julia E. Sweig says the recent "fiscal cliff" deal marks the end of the grand bargain, and "the new normal in Washington is one of hyper partisanship, in which the Republicans have learned that if they wait long enough the Democrats will soften at the end of negotiations."

In the context of the holiday season, Julia E. Sweig assesses President Obama's response to the Newtown shootings.

Julia E. Sweig assesses the recent shift in Mexico's narrative under the newly inaugurated president, Enrique Peña Nieto, and the implications of this shift for Brazil.

In the wake of the Petraeus scandal, Julia E. Sweig says her heroine of the moment is Carrie Mathison, heroine of the TV show Homeland who works in a profession where mainly men write the rules of the game.

Analyzing the relevance of the electoral college in the 2012 presidential election, Julia E. Sweig says, "Although slavery has since been abolished and we have universal suffrage, this unfair electoral college system painfully, and somewhat quaintly, lives on."

Julia E. Sweig discusses race and class in America in the run-up to the presidential election.

In this column, Julia E. Sweig argues that President Obama's foreign policy positions will make it difficult for Mitt Romney to define his agenda against Obama's in the run up to the election.

Julia E. Sweig explores the contrast between the 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions in diversity and culture.

Julia Sweig surveys the 2012 presidential campaign narratives and the United States' love-hate relationship with the wealthy.

Julia E. Sweig analyzes expectations and measurements of success at this week's G-20 Summit in Mexico and Rio+20 Earth Summit in Brazil.

Julia E. Sweig dissects the international quandary over the humanitarian implications of violence in Syria.

Julia E. Sweig analyzes President Obama's historic announcement in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Julia E. Sweig discusses U.S. senator Marco Rubio's foreign policy positions and their significance if he is chosen as Republican Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate.