Americas Program
A leading source of ideas defining the future of national security, analyzing geopolitical trends, and addressing key political, economic, and social challenges facing the region
The Program was established with the clear, forward-looking mission to elevate the policy discussion on the Western Hemisphere. The program aims to influence through timely, practical, and insightful analysis and policy recommendations for partners in the United States and the region.
The Americas Program focuses on six thematic priorities:
- The authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba as well as democratic backsliding in other countries as a driver of regional instability.
- Economic development, strengthening supply chains, forging closer trade linkages between the United States and the region, and nearshoring critical industries.
- The long-term impact of China’s rise, the continued relevance of Russia and other extra-hemispheric powers, in a region shaped by strategic rivalry.
- Security, especially transnational criminal organizations and illicit economies, particularly in Mexico, the Northern Triangle, and Colombia.
- Governance challenges and their effects, including weak rule of law, endemic corruption, migration, inequality, and human rights violations.
- Civil-military relations and defense cooperation.
Contact Information
- Henry Ziemer
- Research Associate, Americas Program
- 202.775.3244
- HZiemer@csis.org
Featured Analysis
Exporting Autocracy
CSIS Americas director Ryan C. Berg and Henry Ziemer analyze China's role in democratic backsliding across Latin America and the Caribbean and outline a series of recommendations for the United States to advance a democracy-first strategy in the hemisphere.
Report by Ryan C. Berg and Henry Ziemer — February 15, 2024
Featured Event
Report Launch: China’s Role in Democratic Backsliding in Latin America and the Caribbean
In the News
How Russia Tries to Sway Latin America on Ukraine
Ryan C. Berg and Rubi Bledsoe in Americas Quarterly — March 11, 2024
With Venezuela’s election set for late July, President Nicolás Maduro holds all the cards
Ryan C. Berg in AP — March 8, 2024
Ryan Berg: China ayuda a consolidar autoritarismos en la región
Ryan C. Berg in Expendiente Publico — March 5, 2024
Venezuelan dissident found dead in Chile as Nicolás Maduro tests US resolve
Ryan C. Berg in Financial Times — March 3, 2024
The Case for Containing, Not Coddling, Maduro
Evan Ellis in Global Americans — February 26, 2024
Guyana Government Calls Oil, Natural Gas Investments ‘Safe’ Amid Venezuela Saber-Rattling
Christopher Hernandez-Roy in Natural Gas Intelligence — February 26, 2024
Why Are Truck Drivers Being Targeted in Mexico?
Ryan C. Berg in The Dialogue — February 26, 2024
China’s Security Engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean
Evan Ellis in The Diplomat — February 23, 2024
All Americas Program Content
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USAID/MujerProspera: Advancing Gender Equality in Northern Central America
Event — March 19, 2024
Catalysts of Change: How Entrepreneurs Are Transforming Latin America
Report by Ryan C. Berg, Juliana Rubio, and Nathaniel Laske — March 8, 2024
The Election of Javier Milei and Opportunities for Geopolitical Re-alignment
Commentary by Ryan C. Berg, Laura Delgado López, and Gerardo Penchyna Cárdenas — December 15, 2023
“The Outcompete World: Revisiting U.S. Economic Priorities for Competition with China in Latin America and the Caribbean”: Audio Brief with Henry Ziemer
Podcast Episode by Henry Ziemer — December 15, 2023
The Outcompete World: Revisiting U.S. Economic Priorities for Competition with China in Latin America and the Caribbean
Report by Ryan C. Berg and Henry Ziemer — December 13, 2023
Democracy and the Catholic Church in Nicaragua
Event — December 1, 2023
A Western Hemisphere Minerals Strategy for the Energy Transition
Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Nathaniel Laske, and Henry Ziemer — November 16, 2023
For North American Energy Security, Go Local: Examining the Role of Natural Gas and Mexico’s Energy Sector
Brief by Ryan C. Berg, Emiliano Polo, and Henry Ziemer — August 24, 2023
Haitians Are Central to Ending Their Country's Crisis, But They Cannot Do It Alone
Commentary by Mark L. Schneider — August 11, 2023
A Specter Haunting Latin American Mining? Not So Fast
Commentary by Lauri Tähtinen and Henry Ziemer — August 9, 2023