Americas | Council on Foreign Relations

United States

Democrats Debate in Nevada, Munich’s Security Conference, and More

U.S. Democratic presidential candidates debate in Nevada ahead of the state’s caucus, the annual Munich Security Conference takes place, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travels to Angola, Ethiopia, and Senegal.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon February 13, 2020 The World Next Week
Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: A U.S. Territory in Crisis

The Caribbean island, which shares a close yet fraught relationship with the rest of the United States, faces a multilayered economic and social crisis, rooted in long-standing policy and compounded by natural disasters, political instability, and migration.

Backgrounder by Amelia Cheatham February 13, 2020
United States

CEO Speaker Series With Doug Peterson

Doug Peterson discusses corporate leadership, environmental, social, and governance criteria for investing, and S&P Global's role in the world. The CEO Speaker Series is a unique forum for leading global CEOs to share their insights on issues at the center of commerce and foreign policy, and to discuss the changing role of business globally.

Event with Douglas L. Peterson February 12, 2020 CEO Speaker Series

Puerto Rico

What Exactly is in the New Agreement Between Puerto Rico's Board and its Creditors?

How much tax supported debt will Puerto Rico be left with if the Board's most recent proposal is accepted by the courts?

Blog Post by Brad W. Setser February 11, 2020 Follow the Money
Americas

U.S. Detention of Child Migrants

Record-breaking numbers of unaccompanied children have been arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, leading the Trump administration to expand child detention policies and sparking debate over how to handle the flow of asylum seekers.

Backgrounder by Amelia Cheatham February 10, 2020
Trade

Smaller Countries Lose in the U.S.–China Trade Deal

Since the phase one trade deal between China and the United States was inked on 15 January, much of the commentary has focused on the overly ambitious targets for Chinese purchases of US goods. Criti…

Blog Post by Edward Alden February 9, 2020 Renewing America
Election 2020

Campaign Foreign Policy Roundup: President Trump’s New Land-Mine Policy

Each Friday, I look at what the presidential challengers are saying about foreign policy. This week: Democrats vow to reverse the Trump administration’s new land-mine policy, the candidates participate in CNN “town hall” meetings, and the New York Times unveils the results of its candidate foreign policy questionnaire.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay February 7, 2020 The Water's Edge
Americas

Why Can’t Central America Curb Corruption?

Pervasive corruption has long stymied development and fueled emigration from some of Central America’s poorest countries. The recent disbanding of antigraft commissions makes their prospects for reform gloomier.

In Brief by Paul J. Angelo February 6, 2020
United States

Iowa’s Caucus Snafu, African Union Summit, and More

The race for the Democratic presidential nomination ramps up after flawed Iowa caucuses, the African Union convenes in Addis Ababa, and international films feature prominently at this year’s Academy Awards.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon February 6, 2020 The World Next Week
Election 2020

The President's Inbox: What Should U.S. Policy Toward China Be?

Each week I’m talking with two experts with differing views on how the United States should handle a foreign policy challenge it faces. These special episodes are part of CFR’s Election 2020 activities, which are made possible in part by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay February 5, 2020 The Water's Edge
Americas

Mexico’s Lopez Obrador Is Stoking Corruption, Not Fighting It

His shady associates and wrongheaded policies are making a bad problem worse.

Blog Post by Shannon K. O'Neil February 5, 2020 Latin America's Moment
Ukraine

Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia

Ukraine has struggled to forge an independent path, torn between Europe and the United States in the West and its long-standing ties to Russia in the East.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters February 5, 2020
Election 2020

The Trouble With Election Security

Russia interfered with the U.S. presidential election in 2016, and in 2018, internet trolls again spread disinformation during the midterms. Intelligence officials warn that interference in this year’s presidential election may already be underway.

by Shannon K. O'Neil February 4, 2020
Iran

The Road Ahead With Iran: A Conversation With Tony Blair

Against the backdrop of the recent U.S. strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, Tony Blair discusses the current tensions with Iran and the implications for international policymakers. Mr. Blair discusses the critical role of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including ways the IRGC mobilizes and radicalizes its fighters for violence at home and abroad, and the road ahead for the United States and Europe.

Event with Tony Blair February 4, 2020
Coronavirus

Coronavirus Outbreak: What Is the U.S. Public Health Response?

The CDC and other U.S. agencies are working to stop the spread of a new coronavirus that originated in China. But public health resources could become stretched if the outbreak worsens.

In Brief by Lindsay Maizland February 4, 2020