Americas | Council on Foreign Relations

United States

The U.S. War in Afghanistan Twenty Years On: Public Opinion Then and Now

Two decades after the start of Operation Enduring Freedom, Americans view the war very differently.

Blog Post by Anna Shortridge October 7, 2021 The Water's Edge
Canada

C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics With Tiff Macklem

Tiff Macklem of the Bank of Canada discusses the major trends and challenges facing the global financial architecture, what’s at stake for Canada, and how to evolve it for the 21st century. The C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics brings the world's foremost economic policymakers and scholars to address members on current topics in international economics and U.S. monetary policy. This meeting series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.

Virtual Event by Tiff Macklem October 7, 2021
China

What’s Next for U.S. Trade With China?

This week, the Biden administration outlined its approach to trade with China. Here’s what to know.

In Brief by Jennifer Hillman and Alex Tippett October 7, 2021 Renewing America

Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Guantanamo Bay: Twenty Years of Counterterrorism and Controversy

The U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has generated intense debate for two decades, with enduring questions about national security, human rights, and justice.

Article by Jonathan Masters October 5, 2021
Haiti

Why Are Haitian Migrants Gathering at the U.S. Border?

The arrival of tens of thousands of Haitian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border has generated domestic criticism from all sides that the Biden administration has poorly handled a cascading humanitarian crisis.

In Brief by Edward Alden and Alex Tippett October 1, 2021 Renewing America
Budget, Debt, and Deficits

The National Debt Dilemma

After years of steadily increasing debt, emergency spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has taken U.S. debt to levels not seen since World War II.

Backgrounder by James McBride and Anshu Siripurapu October 1, 2021 Renewing America

Asia

What’s Next for the Quad?

The most recent Quad summit proved that the grouping is here to stay, but it faces a number of immediate challenges in accomplishing its ambitious agenda.

In Brief by Sheila A. Smith September 30, 2021 Asia Program
Budget, Debt, and Deficits

What’s at Stake in the Debt Ceiling Showdown

U.S. lawmakers are at loggerheads over raising the limit on government borrowing. Here’s what to know about the debate.

In Brief by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. September 28, 2021 Renewing America
Technology and Innovation

Cryptocurrencies, Digital Dollars, and the Future of Money

The dizzying rise of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has created new challenges for governments and central banks. Some are responding by introducing their own digital currencies.

Backgrounder by Anshu Siripurapu September 24, 2021 Renewing America
Latin America

Latin America Shouldn’t Be a Pawn in U.S.-China Rivalry

The key to its success will be dodging zero-sum choices between the two superpowers.

Article by Shannon K. O'Neil September 24, 2021 Latin America Studies Program
Space

Space Exploration and U.S. Competitiveness

U.S. space exploration inspired a generation of students and innovators, but NASA’s role has diminished, and the number of global space competitors is growing.

Backgrounder by Andrew Chatzky, Anshu Siripurapu and Steven J. Markovich September 23, 2021 Renewing America
Diplomacy and International Institutions

Quad Leaders Gather, Germany Holds Elections, and More

The first in-person summit of the Quad—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—takes place; Germany’s general election is set to produce a successor to Angela Merkel; and Japan’s ruling party holds a leadership election.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Sheila A. Smith September 23, 2021 The World Next Week
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

What’s Next for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?

Though President Trump withdrew from the TPP, the remaining members of the trade pact have forged ahead with a new version, leaving the U.S. role in the Asia-Pacific in question.

Backgrounder by James McBride , Andrew Chatzky and Anshu Siripurapu September 20, 2021 Renewing America
United States

The United States Air Force Celebrates Its 74th Birthday Tomorrow

The United States Air Force marks seventy-four years of service.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay September 17, 2021 The Water's Edge
Haiti

Haiti’s Troubled Path to Development

Hobbled by foreign interventions, political instability, and natural disasters, the former French colony has long suffered from underdevelopment.

Backgrounder by Rocio Cara Labrador and Diana Roy September 17, 2021