Americas - Audio

Please join CSIS’ Future of Venezuela Initiative and Smart Women, Smart Power Intiative for a discussion on how girls and women have been disproportionately affected by the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and what is being done to address gender-specific issues. The severe humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has had significant impacts on the female population both inside and outside the country. This event will address the impact the humanitarian crisis is having both on women who remain in Venezuela and who have fled, the importance of including women in politics, and the importance of incorporating women into decision-making positions to shape the future of Venezuela. Following keynote remarks via video by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, a panel of experts will discuss the humanitarian impact of the crisis on women, girls, and other vulnerable populations. A second panel will later discuss the positive implications of including women in political decision-making roles. This event will feature members of the Venezuelan National Assembly, U.S. government representatives, academics, U.S. and local NGOs, representatives from the Organization of the American States, among others. 9:30 am – Welcome remarks9:32 am – Video Keynote Remarks by Henrietta Fore9:45 am – Panel #1– Humanitarian Impact on Women, Girls, and other Vulnerable Populations10:30 am – Moderated Audience Q&A10:45 am – Coffee Break11:00 am – Panel #2 – Positive Implications of Including Women in Political Roles11:45 am – Moderated Audience Q&A                                          12:00 pm – Event Ends   This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Please join the CSIS Future of Venezuela Initiative for a discussion on the international community’s response to Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis and why international aid is crucial for Venezuela and Venezuelans. Compared to other countries in crisis such as Syria, South Sudan, and Myanmar, Venezuela receives significantly less humanitarian aid from the international community. Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis is yet to be a significant donor priority, despite levels of displacement that rival Syria's (currently more than 15 percent of Venezuela’s entire population), and disease and hunger levels comparable to those found in sub-Saharan Africa.   Following the keynote, a panel of CSIS experts will discuss the importance of humanitarian assistance from multiple angles, including the mitigation of destabilizing factors in the region, addressing increasing flows of refugees and forced migrants to other countries, the health implications of this ongoing crisis on the population, and the steps the international community can take to assist Venezuela. This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.

Please join the CSIS Future of Venezuela Initiative to discuss the implications of invoking the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, known as the Rio Treaty or TIAR for its initials in Spanish. Member countries of the Rio Treaty agreed in September 2019 to implement economic and political measures against targeted members of the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela. As part of the treaty, members countries agreed to sanction and extradite Venezuelan governments officials who participate in drug trafficking, terrorist activities, organized crime, and human rights violations. They also agreed to freeze these members’ assets. During this event, our speakers will discuss the political, diplomatic, and economic implications of using the Rio Treaty to further address the crisis in Venezuela. The discussion will be moderated by CSIS’ Moises Rendon. Additional panelists will be announced shortly. This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.

The CSIS Scholl Chair is honored to be hosting Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Trade, on his first official visit to Washington, DC in his new role. In her Mission Letter to him, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tasked Mr. Hogan with creating a level playing field for all, strengthening Europe's global trade leadership, building sustainable trade in light of climate change, and making trade more transparent. Join the Scholl Chair as we discuss with Mr. Hogan this mandate, refreshing the Transatlantic trading relationship with the new European Commission, and looking to 2020 and beyond in the world of trade. Commissioner for Trade since December 2019, Mr. Hogan of Ireland was previously European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development from 2014-2019. This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys discuss the Trump administration's threat to Argentina and Brazil of tariffs on their steel and aluminum industry. They also dive into President Trump's decision to move ahead with tariffs on France over their plans for a digital services tax. Finally, the three react to the president's remarks on waiting until after the election for a trade deal with China. Download the full transcript here.

Please join the CSIS Americas Program on Monday, December 2 at 3:00pm for a public panel on Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s (AMLO) first year in office. During his first year in office AMLO has enjoyed a record-high approval rating. However, the past year has seen rising levels of violence, and AMLO has clashed with the Trump administration on issues such as trade and immigration. The panel discussion will feature U.S. and Mexico-based experts who will discuss the challenges and successes of the AMLO administration’s first year, specifically with regards to security, the economy, and the fight against corruption. The panel will also assess what domestic and international issues the administration is likely to prioritize over the next five years in office. This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.

In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys discuss progress on the USMCA. They also dig into the latest report from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and what's happened with Phase II of the U.S.-China trade deal. Download the full transcript here.

With the fourth industrial revolution set to disrupt labor markets, global stability is contingent on developing countries' ability to transform their economies and create jobs to meet the economic aspirations of their people. Argentina, during its presidency of the G20 in 2018, has made the future of work one of the main priorities throughout the year and created a T20 Task Force to develop recommendations on the future of work and education for the digital age. Join us for a discussion on the future of work in Argentina with the Argentine Minister for Labor and Production Dante Sica. This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.

Please join CSIS’ Future of Venezuela Initiative for a discussion on how the presence of illegal armed groups affects the transition process in Venezuela, and what the United States, the international community, and other pertinent actors within Latin America can do to mitigate the effect of these groups.   The presence of armed groups in Venezuela significantly affects how policymakers consider addressing the Venezuelan political and humanitarian crisis. The Maduro regime seeks to benefit from Venezuela's status as a hub for transnational crime and illicit activities, causing policymakers to doubt what the best approach to address the crisis would be. Illegal armed groups finding haven in Venezuela not only adds new threats to Venezuela’s internal security, but also threatens Colombia’s security and the region writ-large. Illegal armed groups in Venezuela include the National Liberation Army (ELN), remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), colectivos, garimpeiros, and other residual organized armed groups (GAO) and criminal gangs.   The event will feature keynote remarks from Colombia's High Commissioner for Peace, Miguel Ceballos, and from Paul Ahern, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department. The remarks will be followed by a panel with former National Security Advisers to the White House and the former Vice President of Panama, and will be moderated by CSIS’ Moises Rendon. This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.

In this special episode of Energy 360°, host Sarah Ladislaw partners with the Resources Radio podcast from Resources for the Future. Ladislaw and RFF’s Daniel Raimi interview RFF Fellow Marc Hafstead, director of RFF's Carbon Pricing Initiative.   Raimi and Ladislaw talk with Hafstead about a raft of recent legislative proposals in the US Congress to price greenhouse gas emissions: the major design elements of these bills, including the proposed carbon price; how revenues are used; how border adjustments can help protect US manufacturers; the political viability of these different proposals, including which policy elements might help build support for carbon price; and whether other policy approaches, such as a Clean Energy Standard, stand more of a chance in today's political environment.  References and recommendations:  The Wizard and the Prophet by Charles C. Mann  Paying for Pollution: Why a Carbon Tax is Good for America by Gilbert E. Metcalf   "Paying for Pollution, with Gilbert Metcalf" Resources Radio podcast episode

In this episode, the Trade Guys and guest host Jack Caporal take the podcast on the road to the Coalition of Services Industries annual summit. Guest Laura Lane, President of Global Public Affairs and UPS, discusses the importance of services in the global trade industry, and women's roles in this important trade sector. This episode was recorded live at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. Download the full transcript here.

In this episode, the Trade Guys and guest host Jack Caporal discuss the canceled APEC meeting in Chile and what that means for U.S.-China trade talks. They also discuss Senator Marco Rubio's proposal to block federal pensions from being able to invest in Chinese stocks, and some complicated changes to auto rules in the USMCA. Download the full transcript here.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Catherine Bertini, former executive director of the World Food Programme and Senior Adviser, non-resident at CSIS, as they discuss Catherine’s recent report for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs entitled, “Leading Change in UN Organizations.” The conversation is focused broadly on what it means to lead a UN organization. They discuss Catherine’s recommendations for reforms within the UN system, specifically targeted to incoming heads of UN agencies to maximize success in the first one hundred days in their roles. Additionally, they discuss Catherine’s distinguished career and her important work on improving gender parity within UN agencies.

For one week last June, dozens of reporters in the USA Today network coordinated stories on migrants attempting to cross the U.S. southern border in the article "One deadly week reveals where the immigration crisis begins - and where it ends." Daniel Gonzalez, a long-time immigration reporter for The Arizona Republic, tells what they found, and recounts some of his interviews in Guatemala and Mexico’s southern border. Most Central American families, he found, are fleeing economic misery rather than persecution. They are also lured in part by U.S. asylum law, a trend that saw a massive increase in apprehensions in 2019, especially in May and June.

Francisco Monaldi (Baker Institute) chats with Andrew Stanley (CSIS) about Venezuela's collapsing oil industry.  Join them as they discuss the current status of U.S. sanctions, geopolitical implications of Russia's involvement in the country's oil industry, and what might come next for the embattled Maduro regime.   For more on the crisis in Venezuela, watch Are Sanctions Working in Venezuela?  

As the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, a debate has risen among policymakers as to whether or not sanctions may be worsening conditions for Venezuelan citizens.  While the United States, the Lima Group, the European Union, and other like-minded nations continue to increase pressure on the regime of Nicolás Maduro with diplomatic measures such as challenging his government’s legitimacy, the question remains as to whether sanctions are an effective measure for changing the behavior of the Venezuelan regime and pushing Maduro to step down. Despite external support by Russia, Cuba, China, and a few other countries, Maduro is more alienated on the world stage than ever before. However, stiff sanctions and diplomatic isolation have not yet convinced Maduro to negotiate his exit, as his regime has proven to be resilient and adaptable .  The expert panel will assess the efficacy of sanctions, including what is and is not working, as well as implications for U.S. foreign policy, the energy sector, and the impact on Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis and its struggle for democracy.    Keynote presentation: Carrie Filipetti, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cuba and Venezuela, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State Panel Discussion Featuring: Eric B. Lorber, Director, Financial Integrity NetworkElizabeth Rosenberg, Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program, Center for a New American SecurityDavid Smolansky, Coordinator of the OAS Working Group on Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees; Former Mayor of El Hatillo, VenezuelaFrancisco J. Monaldi, Fellow, Latin American Energy Policy, Rice University Moderated by: Moises Rendon, Director, The Future of Venezuela Initiative; Fellow, CSIS Americas Program This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.

Argentines go to the polls on October 27th, and the results may spell the end of Mauricio Macri’s presidency. What went wrong? Michael Matera, Argentine expert and Director of the Americas Program at CSIS, explains how inflation never went away and growth never returned. He also makes predictions on the polices of a likely Alberto Fernández - Cristina Fernández de Kirchner government, and whether the two can even govern together.

Conference Agenda:8:30 AM - Coffee and Guest Arrivals9:00 AM - Event Begins9:02 AM – Welcome remarks9:05 AM - Keynote Remarks by USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick9:15 AM - Introductory Remarks by Juan Andres Mejia, President, Plan País Committee; Deputy, National Assembly of Venezuela9:20 AM – Expert presentation by Jose Maria de Viana, Technical Coordinator for Public Services, Plan País9:40 AM - Panel #1: Diagnostic of Water Crisis11:00 AM - Coffee Break11:10 AM – Expert presentation by Norberto Bausson, Water and Sanitation Coordinator, Plan Pais; Former Vice President of Operations, Hidrocapital Venezuela11:25 AM - Panel #2: Solutions and Action Plans12:30 PM - Networking Lunch with remarks by Venezuela’s National Assembly Deputy2:00 PM - Conclusion Please join CSIS Americas and Future of Venezuela Initiative in collaboration with Plan País for a conference on the water crisis in Venezuela affecting citizen access to drinking water, farmer’s access to irrigated land, and the water management system of the country. Venezuela’s water system is currently facing a number of critical issues and a clear path forward is needed to address the country’s water crisis in the short term and to identify a roadmap for longer term structural reforms addressing all aspects of the national water management system.    The purpose of this conference is to analyze the current threats endangering the nation’s watersheds, the capacity of the water management system to protect the nation’s water resources, and the conditions of multiple entities responsible for assuring access to safe and clean water throughout the country.    Keynote remarks will be provided by Bonnie Glick, Deputy Administrator for USAID. The first panel will cover the diagnostics of the water crisis in Venezuela. The second panel will cover solutions and action plans to help the country rebuild its water management system. Panelists will include Venezuela-based Plan País experts, as well as experts on water management systems from U.S.-based institutions. This event will take place in both English and Spanish. Simultaneous translation will be available. This event is made possible in partnership with Plan País, an initiative of the Venezuelan National Assembly and the Guaidó Administration.  

National elections take place in Canada on October 2, and Justin Trudeau could be out of a job. Will the election turn on foreign policy? Canada expert Christopher Sands of Johns Hopkins University is back to explain why this might be the case, how Canada is tied to the U.S., like it or not, and how Canada views itself in the world.

Please join the CSIS China Power Project and the Americas Program on Thursday, September 26 at 10:00 am for a discussion of the evolving role of Taiwan in promoting growth and development in Latin America and the Caribbean.  The event will feature a keynote presentation by Timothy Hsiang, Secretary General of Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), followed by a panel discussion focused on how coordinated efforts of Taiwan, the United States, multilateral development banks, and like-minded partners can contribute to addressing more effectively some of the serious development challenges faced by countries in the Western Hemisphere, including critical infrastructure needs, applications of technology and AI, as well as serious security and governance issues.  Taiwan’s strong commitment to principles of democracy and free market economics helps to underline the important role that Taiwan plays in development assistance efforts in the Western Hemisphere.   Keynote Remarks by: Timothy Hsiang, Secretary General of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF)   Introductory Remarks by: Stanley Kao, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), and Kevin O’Reilly, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.   Panel Discussion featuring: Kristie Pellecchia, Senior Advisor for the Western Hemisphere at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)Bernardo Rico, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, United States Agency for International DevelopmentAlexander Tah-Ray Yui, Director-General, Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TaiwanChiew Chang, Representative, New York Representative Office, Central Bank of TaiwanScott MacDonald, CSIS Americas Senior Associate; expert on relations between Asia and Latin America This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.

Bob and Andrew bring in nonpartisan legal expert Bradley P. Moss, Esq., to explain the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989. Mr. Moss tells us how it works, the unique situation regarding the President with respect to the Act, and how the process may move forward. Download the full transcript here.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Pablo Maldonado. Mr. Maldonado led a comprehensive study of unique factors that are driving migration from the Northern Triangle, including vicitmization, household income, and international relations. Much of the extensive data analysis is presented in Creative Associates International's report, "Saliendo Adelante: Why migrants risk it all," which Dan and Pablo will discuss. Pablo Maldonado is Chief Operating Officer of Creative Associates International, where he directs three program divisions including Education for Development, Communities in Transition, and Economic Growth. Mr. Maldonado also directs Creative's Business Development Division.

Brazil is a world leader in crime, particularly violent crime. Part of the dynamic is the prison system, which serves as an incubator for even more violence. David Van Patten, Chief Operating Officer of Prison Fellowship International, explains the PFI model and why the overwhelmed Brazilian government has entrusted Prison Fellowship Brazil with the rehabilitation of about 4,000 prisoners convicted of violent crimes. The PF-run prisons, which operate in 117 countries (including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay), cost less and show lower recidivism rates.

In this episode, the Trade Guys and Andrew discuss the U.S.-China trade war as tensions rise. With new U.S. tariffs imposed, the two sides are struggling to sit down and talk. Plus, the U.S. and Japan appear to have gotten their trade relationship back on track with a new agreement. Download the full transcript here.

Brazil has vast oil reserves, but can the Bolsonaro government get the energy to market? Returning guest Lisa Viscidi of the Inter-American Dialogue says reforms are already in place that will enable oil production “to take off.” The real obstacles are the financial stability of Petrobras, the shaky state oil conglomerate, and the monopoly that the state has on most aspects of energy production, delivery, and even retail sales. Lisa also comments on market worries about Mexican president López Obrador’s commitment to existing energy contracts, and the huge effect of sanctions on Venezuelan oil production.

Latin America has had a love-hate relationship with foreign investment. China is the latest suitor to test the region’s readiness to join the global economy. Stephen Kaplan, professor of international affairs and political science at George Washington University, dissects China’s role in the region, as well as the prospects for Venezuela to eventually rebuild its economy.

Initiatives and partnerships to promote “ethical A.I.” are proliferating within the A.I. community. While ethics provide a critical framework in addressing challenges posed by A.I., it is not a replacement for human rights. Host Amy Lehr discusses the human rights impact of A.I. and what governments and companies can do to make human rights integral in the design and use of A.I. with guests David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, and Vivek Krishnamurthy, Counsel in the Boston office of Foley Hoag LLP and lecturer on law at Harvard Law School as part of the Berkman Klein Center.

The Smart Women, Smart Power Speaker Series hosted three Washington-based journalists for a conversation on how security and foreign policy issues will influence the upcoming campaign cycle. Moderated by Beverly Kirk, the panelists were Susan Glasser of The New Yorker, Jennifer Griffin of FOX News, and Lara Seligman of Foreign Policy.

In this episode, Trade Guy Scott reports back from the Windy City and fills Bill and Jack Caporal (filling in for Andrew)in on the USMCA. They also discuss the restart of U.S.-China talks, and Dr. Sabine Weyand's discussion earlier this week at CSIS headquarters. Download the full transcript here.

Please join CSIS Americas and the American University Center for Latin American and Latino Studies for a public discussion about the lessons learned from CICIG in Guatemala and MACCIH in Honduras. Experts will analyze the successes and pitfalls of the CICIG and MACCIH programs in pursuit of the most effective way for the international community to support efforts to enhance institutional capacity to combat corruption, crime and impunity in the region and beyond.  During the event, Dr. Charles "Chuck" Call of American University will present a recently-completed study looking at CICIG and MACCIH in relation to the announced intent of the new President of El Salvador to establish a hybrid “CICIES” in his country with support both from the OAS and the UN. A panel of fellow experts will explore those lessons in how to strengthen the rule of law in the Northern Triangle and beyond. Panelists will include Arturo Aguilar, Executive Director of the Seattle International Foundation and former senior political officer to the Commissioner of CICIG; and Claudia Paz y Paz (via Skype), a criminal law expert and former Attorney General of Guatemala. The discussion will be moderated by CSIS Americas Senior Adviser Mark L. Schneider. This event was made possible by intellectual support from the American University Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and by general support to CSIS.

In this episode, the Trade Guys and Jack Caporal (filling in for Andrew Schwartz) discuss the US-China trade ceasefire and developments from last week's G20 meetings. Why is the U.S. lifting the ban on selling equipment to Huawei? Plus, the European Union signs a huge trade deal with the Mercosur countries.  Download the full transcript here.

The CSIS Energy & National Security Program is pleased to launch two reports as part of its Energy in America series: The Changing Role of Energy in the U.S. Economy; and Energy as a Source of Economic and Social Mobility Featuring a discussion with contributing experts Joseph Aldy (Harvard University), Mary Alice McCarthy (New America), and David Hart (ITIF). Over the last decade, the energy landscape in the United States has shifted in some consequential ways.  Going forward, the energy sector changes and energy policy developments are likely to play an important role in the economic and societal well-being of many regions around the country.The Changing Role of Energy in the U.S. Economy provides insights into the role of energy in the U.S. economy at the national, regional, and local levels; the economic consequences of multiple energy pathways; the distributional impacts of various energy policies; and the anticipated economic consequences of technological change in the energy sector.Energy as a Source of Economic and Social Mobility examines how energy creates economic and social opportunity through jobs, innovation, and improved living standards.  Increasingly, it is no longer enough to demonstrate energy policy's net economic benefits—policies are often expected to account for preexisting inequities, consider distributive consequences, and create economic opportunity.  This study evaluates policies and strategies designed to harness various kinds of energy development as sources of U.S. economic growth and social mobility. Join us for a closer look at what is working—and what isn't—in U.S. energy policy as the relationship between energy and the U.S. economy evolves.This event is made possible by generous support from the Sloan Foundation.

In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys discuss the U.S.-Mexico deal saga and its impact on the USMCA. ("RocketMan" rendition by Mallory Heights.)

Please join CSIS Americas for a public discussion about the criminal enterprise of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and his Bolivarian allies. Douglas Farah, President of IBI Consultants and senior visiting fellow at National Defense University, will present a new report, based on five years of field research, which details the breadth of the global money laundering empire Maduro and his allies  have developed throughout his regime. The report sheds new light on the Venezuela-Bolivarian money laundering structures and how they are are connected, the amounts of money they move, the geographic and criminal diversity of the network, adding context to help explain why regimes like those of Maduro do not fall quickly despite stiff U.S. sanctions.   This event will also feature Celina Realuyo, Professor of Practice at the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at National Defense University; José Cárdenas, Former Acting Assistant Secretary for LAC at USAID and Director of Vision Americas; and Caryn Hollis, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Global Threats, who will provide unique insights and expertise on the nature of transnational organized crime and financial structures ongoing in Venezuela. Following the presentations, the panelists will have a moderated discussion led by CSIS Americas Associate Director and Venezuela expert Moises Rendon. Additional speakers to be announced shortly.

Please join the CSIS Americas program for a discussion about new research illustrating how Venezuelans view their country’s humanitarian, political and economic crisis. Mark Feierstein, CSIS Senior Advisor and former special assistant to President Obama and senior director for Western Hemisphere Affairs on the National Security Council, will share publicly for the first time a national poll last month by Albright Stonebridge Group and GBAO that shows the opinion of the Venezuelan people on issues such as: Guaido’s v. Maduro’s popular support; perspectives on the United States and other international actors; views on the role of sanctions, negotiations and military intervention; the credibility of elections; and Chávez’ legacy, among other interesting indicators. During this event, we will discuss with Mr. Feierstein the conclusions of what the role of the international community should be to help Venezuelans chart a path forward. The presentation of the poll results will be followed by a moderated discussion with Moises Rendon, associate director of the CSIS Americas Program and Venezuela expert and Gerver Torres, a research adviser with the Gallup Organization and CSIS Americas Senior Associate. This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.  

Please join CSIS Americas and the CSIS Project for Prosperity and Development for a public event on the critical nature of U.S. foreign assistance to the Northern Triangle and the security, socio-economic, and migratory consequences of recent changes in U.S. policy toward the region.  On Friday, March 29, President Trump stated that his administration was cutting off federal funding to the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. A day later, the State Department announced that the cutoff not only affected future grants, but also ended spending in the Northern Triangle countries on programs funded with FY2017 and FY2018 appropriations, as well as funds recently approved in the Omnibus Appropriations bill for FY2019. In total, more than an estimated $1 billion could be affected. This policy change would not only impact political stability and economic opportunities in those countries, and therefore the push factors affecting migration, but will also likely have additional consequences unexpected by the Administration, which will reverberate throughout the entire region.   During this public event, we will be joined by a panel of experts from the Northern Triangle and U.S. government, business, and civil society communities to discuss what those potential consequences will be. Mark Schneider, Former USAID Deputy Administrator and CSIS Senior Adviser, will moderate the panel.   Additional congressional speakers to be confirmed shortly. This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.

Please join the CSIS Americas Program for a timely public discussion on the relevance of the international commitment of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) in the context of the rapidly developing crisis in Venezuela.  For this discussion, we will be joined by Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Miguel Angel Martin, the President of the Venezuelan Supreme Court in Exile.   In 2005, the United Nations developed the concept of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) commitment, the purpose of which is to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Given the rapidly escalating political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, and the repression and physical harm that the Venezuelan people have been subjected to in recent years, the relevance of R2P has become a crucial part of the discussion surrounding the strategy of how the international community should respond to the crisis. The critical question is whether R2P could be used to justify further international action to end the current suffering of the Venezuelan people.   We will discuss the purpose and nuances of R2P as it could apply to Venezuela and how the international community could use this principle as a tool in future crises. The discussion will be moderated by CSIS Americas Associate Director and Venezuela expert, Moises Rendon.  Additional speakers to be announced.This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

The number of Central Americans fleeing their countries for the U.S. has skyrocketed in the last few months. On the latest episode of 35 West, Rick Jones of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has some answers. With close to 30 years of experience in the region, Rick also details how CRS has helped build alternative futures for young people mired in poverty and violence.

Download the Report Download the Brief Over the next 15 years, it is projected that more infrastructure will be built globally than currently exists. Please join the CSIS Reconnecting Asia Project and the Project on Prosperity and Development for the rollout of a new report discussing how the United States can strategically shape the global infrastructure buildout.    Opening remarks by:Matthew P. Goodman Senior Vice President, Simon Chair in Political Economy and Senior Adviser for Asian Economics, CSIS   Featuring a Panel Discussion with:Ambassador Charlene BarshefskySenior International Partner, WilmerHaleFormer U.S. Trade Representative  Stephen J. HadleyPrincipal, RiceHadleyGates LLCFormer National Security AdvisorPeter RaymondSenior Associate, Reconnecting Asia Project and Simon Chair, CSISFormer Global Advisory Leader, Capital Projects & Infrastructure Practice, PwC Moderated by: Daniel F. RundeSenior Vice President, William A. Schreyer Chair and Director, Project on Prosperity and Development, CSIS   This event is made possible by generous support from Bechtel Group, IBM, and the Inter-American Development Bank. 

Andrew and the Trade Guys catch up on the latest WTO dispute settlement news, review the latest economic analysis of the USMCA, and somehow manage to weave in a Game of Thrones update.

In this episode, the Trade Guys and Andrew welcome another VIP guest. Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s Deputy Ambassador to the United States, offers her insight on Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, the USMCA (now dubbed "You-Smacka" by Trade Guy Scott), and more. Hosted by H. Andrew Schwartz and produced by Yumi Araki, Jack Caporal, and Ribka Gemilangsari at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Download full transcript here.

Illegal trade across the Haiti/Dominican Republic border has serious financial and security implications. Contraband undermines legitimate business on both sides of the border and deprives the public sector – especially the cash-strapped government of Haiti – of much-needed revenues. It also undermines rule of law and public security by fueling corruption and strengthening criminal organizations.  After two research trips to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, CSIS Americas has produced a summary report of the issue of illicit border trade between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, incorporating several case studies and policy recommendations for preventing further cross-border illicit trade and revenue loss.  Please join us on March 22 at 10:30 am for a public event to discuss the CSIS Americas report and the larger issues of trade between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  Additional speakers to be announced.This event is made possible by generous support from USAID Haiti. 

The anti-vaccination movement has recently come into the spotlight after the resurgence of measles, a vaccine-preventable respiratory illness, has emerged across the United States in the past year. In this episode of Take as Directed, Steve Morrison speaks with Lena Sun, award-winning national health reporter for The Washington Post to discuss how the anti-vaxxer movement has evolved into what it is today—a small but vocal, social media-savvy, activist group of Americans. Over the course of her career, Lena has written widely on a number of issues related to public health and infectious disease, and her most recent work is on the topic of the anti-vaxxer movement in the U.S., its implications on public health, and state and federal responses to the anti-vaxxer movement.

Justin Trudeau is in trouble for meddling in a criminal investigation and dumping his attorney general. Mr. Canada, a.k.a. Chris Sands of Johns Hopkins University, is back to explain the details and how they could affect Canadian politics sooner rather than later.

In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys head to the Hill for a live recording in front of audiences attending the State International Trade Development Organization (SIDO)'s 2019 Washington Forum. Joining the Trade Guys were Gabrielle Gerbaud, the executive director of the Minnesota Trade Office, and Wade Merritt, the president of Maine's International Trade Center and a former SIDO president. They discuss the USMCA, the US-China deal, and Section 232 tariffs. Download full transcript here.

Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation, discusses her new book “Be Fearless” and shares stories of ordinary people around the globe doing extraordinary things to change the world.

As global forced migration increases rapidly, Mexico has transitioned from just an exporter of people north to a transit and a recipient country all in one. While significant challenges remain, Mexico has an opportunity for regional leadership on migration. Erol Yayboke, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow at the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, and CSIS Americas’ Moises Rendon discuss their recent research trip to Mexico City and Tapachula. They focus on how Mexico’s government and society are responding to the growing migration flows from Central America and other countries to Mexico.

Ambassador Jay Anania, born two blocks from the State Department, was drawn to the U.S. Foreign Service partly by the examples of his NSA dad and CIA mom. His 30-year career started in Tijuana and ended in Paramaribo, with stops along the way in Amman, Havana, Abu Dhabi, Berlin, Hong Kong, and Baghdad. He and host Richard Miles discuss changes on the U.S. southern border as well as the effectiveness of the Organization of American States, where Jay served as the senior management official from 2015-2017.

Dr. Maria Melendez, Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico, discusses post-Hurricane Maria rebuilding efforts on the island and how federal funding has been slow to arrive.

Juan Guaidó, the 35-year old legitimate head of the Venezuelan National Assembly, is facing off against Nicolas Maduro, who clings to his illegitimate power. Venezuela experts Moises Rendon of CSIS and Eric Farnsworth of the Council of the Americas are back to describe the role of the United States, the international community, and the Cubans. Guaidó himself, according to Moises, has a promising political future and may be the rarest of creatures in the Bolivarian Republic; someone who can unite factions against the government. If he can convince the military that it won’t be unfairly prosecuted by a successor government, we may be in the final throes of the Maduro regime.

Join us as we discuss the upcoming 2019 APEC summit in Chile and APEC's place in defining the ecosystem for emerging core technologies. As the fourth industrial revolution takes off with automation, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, the Internet of Things, and 5G, the need for multilateral coordination is all the more important. Opening statements will be made by Monica Hardy Whaley, President of the National Center of APEC, followed by a keynote address by Ambassador Matt Matthews. Afterward we will host a panel discussion with Ambassador Ashok Mirpuri of Singapore, Wendy Culter of the Asia Society, David Weller of Google, and Monica Hardy Whaley of NCAPEC, moderated by Bill Reinsch, Scholl Chair in International Business. Agenda: Keynote by Ambassador Matthews: 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. This event is made possible through the generous support of the National Center for APEC.