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Mexico: A Pivotal State on the Global Stage

Mexico straddles between the Global North and Global South, leveraging deep integration with the United States while guarding its sovereignty. This chapter explores how history, inequality, and geopolitics shape Mexico’s quest for strategic autonomy on the global stage.

Brief by Ryan C. Berg, Rubi Bledsoe, and Michael Ferguson — December 2, 2025

Pentagon Announces a New Counternarcotics Task Force in the Caribbean

CSIS Americas Program experts explain the significance of the Department of Defense’s establishment of a new Counternarcotics Task Force and consider how this reflects the Trump administration’s national security priorities.

Critical Questions by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Henry Ziemer, Rubi Bledsoe, and Isabel Teran — October 23, 2025

When Crime Becomes Terror: Rethinking the FTO Designation

CSIS Americas Research Associate Rubi Bledsoe analyzes the recent designations of criminal organizations as FTOs by the Trump administration and discusses key similarities and differences between the groups.

Commentary by Rubi Bledsoe — October 21, 2025

The Role of Social Media in Cartel Recruitment

CSIS Americas Research Associate Rubi Bledsoe delves into the intricacies of digital recruitment tactics by Mexican cartels, the factors that make the youth vulnerable to them, and best avenues to combat them.

Commentary by Rubi Bledsoe — May 28, 2025

Chinese Ports in Panama Come Under New Management

CSIS Americas Program director Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe examine the significant of a recent deal for BlackRock to acquire ports along the Panama Canal.

Critical Questions by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe — March 6, 2025

What Is the Significance of Venezuela’s Naval Incursion into Guyana?

CSIS Americas Program director Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Rubi Bledsoe, Henry Ziemer, and Eitan Casaverde examine Venezuela's recent naval incursions into Guyanese waters.

Critical Questions by Ryan C. Berg, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Rubi Bledsoe, Henry Ziemer, and Eitan Casaverde — March 5, 2025

“Tough on the Weak, Lenient on the Powerful”

This report provides a summary of the discussions from a series of three roundtables held from August to September 2024 as part of the CSIS-USAID LACLEARN roundtable series on mano dura.

Report by Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Juliana Rubio, Henry Ziemer, and Rubi Bledsoe — January 9, 2025