California is set to become the first state to ban discrimination on the basis of caste, giving the United States a window of opportunity to be a leading example on the issue across the world.

AMLO ups spending, favoring the middle class and the military; Uruguay’s financial stability attracts investment—and crime follows; Peru’s democratic backsliding is passing the point of no return.

Forget regional integration. Basic diplomacy will remain an uphill battle until the region’s leaders return to a shared definition of democracy.