Ideas

The Amazon Fires Reveal the Dysfunction of the Global Community

The case for territorial incursion in the Amazon is far stronger than the justifications for most war.

Threats

Brazil's Bolsonaro Is Endangering the World

As a store of carbon, the Amazon is fundamental to the survival of every person. If destroyed or degraded, the giant rain forest is simply beyond humanity’s ability to get back.

Ideas

Border Disorder: Trump Can’t Figure Out How to Keep His Biggest Promise

The president insisted that preventing illegal immigration would be simple and easy. Through a series of increasingly desperate attempts, he’s discovering that isn’t true.

Ideas

How an Elaborate Plan to Topple Venezuela’s President Went Wrong

The United States thought all the pieces were in place for Maduro to leave. Then everything came crashing down.

Threats

Despite Threatening It, Trump Is Keeping the Military Out of Venezuela

The administration is sticking to an approach that it has favored against adversaries from Iran to North Korea: gradual economic strangulation.

Threats

The US Is Running Low on Options to Force Maduro Out

The Trump administration has already deployed visa restrictions, sanctions, and even an embargo on Venezuelan oil. What else is left?

Policy

When Humanitarian Aid Is Used as a Weapon to Bring Down Regimes

As the United States offers crucial humanitarian aid to Venezuelan migrants, it is doubling down on its opposition to Venezuela’s president.

Ideas

Two Ways the Venezuelan Crisis Might End

President Maduro seems likely to hold power only as long as he can pay off military elites.

Ideas

How Seriously Should the World Take Trump’s Venezuela Threat?

This isn’t the first time the president has threatened military force against the country, but now he is surrounded by regime-change advocates.

Ideas

The White House’s Move on Venezuela Is the Least Trumpian Thing It’s Done

The Trump administration’s concerted diplomatic effort did not originate on Twitter.

Policy

Is Trump Setting the Stage for a Military Intervention in Venezuela?

“Everything is on the table, all options,” an administration official said.

Policy

Nicaragua’s Deepening Crisis Will Send More Refugees Northward

Political and economic unrest in Nicaragua could stoke the flames in a region where insecurity has forced tens of thousands to flee in recent years.

Ideas

No One’s Supplanting US Military Influence in Latin America

Concerns about Chinese, Russian, and Iranian forays are overblown.

Threats

Venezuela Has Lost 2.3 Million People, So Far

UN officials say the flow of Venezuelan refugees into neighboring countries is building to a Mediterranean-style crisis.

Threats

Donald Trump Actually Considered Invading Venezuela Last Year

Trump first floated the idea at a meeting in the Oval Office while discussing sanctions on Venezuela.

Threats

What a Small ISIS Cell in Trinidad is Teaching SOUTHCOM

Just because a country is relatively small doesn’t diminish the threat, or the difficulty of mustering a counter-effort.

Threats

Denied Wall Funding, Trump Sends National Guard to Southern Border

Details are still being hashed out, but previous presidents’ decisions to do the same offer clues about what’s to come.

Threats

Beijing Has Started Giving Latin American Generals ‘Lavish,’ All-Expenses-Paid Trips to China

Inspired by the U.S.’s own programs to train and befriend foreign officers at American military institutions, Beijing is wooing the militaries of the U.S.’s neighbors.

Policy

In Mexico, Mattis Plays Down Political Rhetoric, Seeks to Build Trust

Defense Secretary Mattis touts "a growing relationship built on trust and respect" between the U.S. and Mexican militaries.