Americas | Council on Foreign Relations

Elections and Voting

Another Israeli Election, U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis, and More

Israel holds its fourth election in two years, the United States faces a mounting migration crisis at its border with Mexico, and Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, meets with regional premiers.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon March 18, 2021 The World Next Week
Coronavirus

A Year Out: Addressing International Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In his testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Thomas J. Bollyky provides an overview of current engagement of the United States and its allies in addressing …

Testimony by Thomas J. Bollyky March 18, 2021 Global Health Program
Democracy

The EU and Venezuela: More Bad Advice

The "European Democracy Hub" urges "sidelining" democracy in Venezuela

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams March 18, 2021 Pressure Points

China

U.S. Relations With China

Since 1949, U.S.-China relations have evolved from tense standoffs to a complex mix of intensifying diplomacy, growing international rivalry, and increasingly intertwined economies.

Timeline by CFR.org Editors March 17, 2021
Democracy

Democracy Tested: Democratic Crises in U.S. History, With Suzanne Mettler

In this special series of The President’s Inbox on the future of democracy, James M. Lindsay speaks with experts to discuss whether and where democratic governance is faltering around the world. This week, Suzanne Mettler, John L. Senior professor of American Institutions in the Government Department at Cornell University, places the current crisis of American democracy in historical perspective. This episode is part of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Suzanne Mettler March 16, 2021 The President's Inbox
Economics

Is Industrial Policy Making a Comeback?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of China have prompted renewed debate about the government’s role in shaping the U.S. economy.

Backgrounder by Anshu Siripurapu March 16, 2021
United States

Racial Health Disparities and Accountability Journalism

Camara Phyllis Jones, epidemiologist and senior fellow at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, discusses how health dispa…

Conference Call with Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones and Cheryl W Thompson March 16, 2021 Local Journalists Conference Calls and Webinars
Human Rights

The New UN Report on Venezuela’s Human Rights Calamity

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michele Bachelet, reported to the Human Rights Council on March 10thon the situation in Venezuela. The full statement can be found here. Her report is ye…

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams March 13, 2021 Pressure Points
Central America

Making Anti-Corruption Reforms Stick in the Northern Triangle

The Biden administration made a bold commitment to support the region’s prosecutors in their fight against impunity. But corrupt courts, business associations, and legislatures could derail the progress if they are not reformed in time.

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Latin America's Moment March 12, 2021 Latin America's Moment
China

Council Special Report: The United States, China, and Taiwan—A Strategy to Prevent War

In the Council Special Report The United States, China, and Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War, authors Ambassador Robert Blackwill and Philip Zelikow warn that “Taiwan is becoming the most dangerous flashpoint in the world for a possible war that involves the United States, China, and probably other major powers.” The authors urge the Biden administration to consider a strategy that includes affirming that it will not change Taiwan's status, working with allies to challenge Chinese military moves against Taiwan, and planning for the disruption and mobilization that could follow a wider war.

Virtual Event by Robert D. Blackwill and Philip D. Zelikow March 12, 2021
South Korea

Will the New U.S.-South Korea Deal Boost East Asian Security?

With fresh agreement on sharing costs for the nearly thirty thousand U.S. troops in South Korea, the Biden administration can now focus on bolstering the alliance and addressing challenges posed by China and North Korea.

In Brief by Scott A. Snyder March 11, 2021 Asia Program
Trade

Europe and the Prospects for WTO Reform

The United States should recognize, and attempt to seize, the opportunity on WTO Appellate Body reform being offered by the European Union.

Blog Post by Jennifer Hillman and Alex Tippett March 10, 2021 The Internationalist
United States

Academic Webinar: The Role of the National Security Council

H. R. McMaster, Fouad and Michelle Ajami senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and Bernard Susan Liautaud fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute at Stanford University, and former U.S. national sec…

Webinar by H. R. McMaster March 10, 2021 Academic and Higher Education Webinars and Conference Calls
Cybersecurity

Why the SolarWinds Hack Is a Wake-Up Call

The sweeping cyber espionage campaign shows how sophisticated adversaries can bypass even well-defended targets.

by Robert K. Knake March 9, 2021 Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program
Venezuela

The Biden Administration and Venezuela

On March 8, the Biden administration gave the first real insight into its Venezuela policy, and the news was a mixture of good policy, politics, and nonsense. The good policy was the announcement …

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams March 9, 2021 Pressure Points