U.S. lawmakers have increasingly used the debt ceiling to re-litigate congressional spending, risking default and sparking debate over whether to abolish the ceiling.

Responsible for powering the country and its economy, the U.S. energy grid has come under increasing strain due to climate change, and the threat of cyberattacks looms.  

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 b…