Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 29, 2025

Why are US warships heading toward Venezuela?

By Atlantic Council experts

Three Aegis guided-missile destroyers and several other US warships are headed to the waters near Venezuela. Two Atlantic Council experts explain why and what to expect next.

Latin America Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Aug 20, 2025

Why the rule of law is the key to prosperity: Lessons from thirty years of data 

By Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee, Joseph Lemoine

Thirty years of global data point to one conclusion: the rule of law is the most important driver of prosperity. Strong legal systems foster trust, investment, and stability. Where laws are predictable and applied equally, societies thrive; where they weaken, reforms falter and prosperity stalls.

Africa Freedom and Prosperity

New Atlanticist

Aug 15, 2025

A milestone on Argentina’s long road to recovery

By Jason Marczak, Ignacio Albe

The International Monetary Fund recently completed the first review of Argentina’s Extended Fund Facility signed in April. The result was positive, reflecting the country’s larger economic trajectory under President Javier Milei.

Argentina Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2025

Five charts that show how criminal organizations in Colombia work—and grow

By Aaron Kolleda and Isabel Chiriboga

Our experts break down the numbers that show the reach, power, and influence of drug cartels and other transnational criminal organizations.

Americas Colombia

New Atlanticist

Aug 6, 2025

Trump’s tariffs are giving Lula a boost and shifting Brazil’s geopolitics

By Thayz Guimarães

The tariff saga is not over, but it has already produced some unexpected political and geopolitical consequences for Brazil.

Brazil China

Issue Brief

Aug 6, 2025

How the US and Colombia can tackle crime, migration, and fallout from Venezuela’s crisis

By Lucie Kneip, Geoff Ramsey

Despite differences in priorities and political approaches, opportunities exist for the US and Colombia to coordinate policy that promotes stability in Venezuela and the broader region.

Colombia Corruption

Infographic

Aug 1, 2025

Economic pulse of the Americas: How dependent is Latin America on taxes on international trade?

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

This infographic explores the fiscal implications of reducing customs revenues, shows which countries are most dependent on trade taxes, and explores what changes to import volumes and related revenues mean for LAC’s economic future.

Americas Fiscal and Structural Reform

Fast Thinking

Aug 1, 2025

What to watch as Trump ratchets up global tariffs

By Atlantic Council

US President Donald Trump will raise tariffs on nearly every US trading partner. Atlantic Council experts take stock of what this means for the global economy.

Brazil Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 29, 2025

Torres publishes on China’s economic statecraft in Latin America

By Atlantic Council

On July 16, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Guido Torres published an article, "Development or Dependence? Rethinking China’s Economic Playbook in the Americas," on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Jul 29, 2025

Torres moderates FIU Gordon Institute space panel

By Atlantic Council

On May 28, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Guido Torres moderated a FIU Gordon Institute space panel, which explored emerging security challenges in the space domain.

China Defense Policy

Experts