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:

  1. The authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba as well as democratic backsliding in other countries as a driver of regional instability.
  2. Economic development, strengthening supply chains, forging closer trade linkages between the United States and the region, and nearshoring critical industries.
  3. 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.
  4. Security, especially transnational criminal organizations and illicit economies, particularly in Mexico, the Northern Triangle, and Colombia.
  5. Governance challenges and their effects, including weak rule of law, endemic corruption, migration, inequality, and human rights violations.
  6. Civil-military relations and defense cooperation.

Contact Information

Projects

Featured Analysis

Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

USMCA Review 2026

CSIS Americas experts evaluate key challenges and opportunities ahead of the 2026 joint review of the USMCA free trade agreement.

Listen to audio brief

Brief by Diego Marroquín Bitar, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and Earl Anthony Wayne — August 18, 2025

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Antarctic Monitoring Tools in Action

CSIS Americas senior associate Bill Muntean argues that monitoring tools are essential in keeping the Antarctic as a region for peaceful purposes only amid growing competition between China and the United States.

Report by William "Bill" Muntean III — March 19, 2024

Mexico Matters

The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend

Mariana Campero speaks with Mexico's former Foreign Minister, Jorge Castañeda, about Mexico's unwillingness to impose any economic sanctions on Russia for the war against Ukraine.

Podcast Episode by Mariana Campero — March 8, 2022

CSIS Mexico Matters
35 West

Meddle Without a Cause

Will the Russians meddle in Latin American elections this year?  Russia expert David Salvo, a fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy, talks about possible Russian motives.

Podcast Episode — March 29, 2018

CSIS 35 West

Russia Has Few Interests in Mexico

Apart from simply sowing confusion, it is not immediately obvious what the Russian’s fake news endgame in Mexico might be.

Commentary by Richard Miles — February 26, 2018

Russian Engagement in Latin America: An Update

In the final months of 2017, the most significant advance in Russia’s relationship with Latin America was arguably the inclusion of eight Latin American teams in the 32-team field for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Commentary by Evan Ellis — December 19, 2017