Our Work

At IPS, our work is centered in our vision: we believe everyone has a right to thrive on a planet where all communities are equitable, democratic, peaceful, and sustainable. Our intersecting programs and initiatives, led by a diverse group of expert staff and associate fellows, are helping to shape progressive movements toward this vision.

Latest Work

Africa Overview

The absence of a coherent U.S. foreign policy agenda—except in the expansion of exports and investments to promising new markets—leaves U.S. policy decisions at the mercy of old and new prejudices, while ad hoc response to crises becomes more the norm than the exception.

Albania

After the cold war, Albania became a country of strategic importance to the United States.

Export Promotion Programs

Washington’s increasing focus on promoting international investment and trade is evident in the smorgasbord of assistance offered to U.S. exporters.

Warfare vs. Welfare: Subsidies to Weapons Exporters

In the rush to pass tough spending cuts, Congress and the Clinton administration are avoiding making an obvious choice: welfare over warfare.

Immigration

In the immigration debate, free marketers square off against cultural conservatives on the right side of the political spectrum; while on the left, civil rights and ethnic advocacy groups oppose environmentalists and job protectionists.

Nicaragua

U.S.-Nicaraguan relations have been rocky ever since the end of the U.S.-sponsored war against the Sandinista government.

Hidden Costs of NATO Expansion

Expansion of the NATO military alliance is proceeding rapidly despite an overwhelming lack of public or congressional debate.

North American Free Trade Agreement

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) sets guidelines for the elimination of most trade and investment barriers between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico over a 15-year period.

Military Strategy

The U.S. military did not foresee an end of the cold war and was caught without a new strategy when the Soviet Union collapsed.

Central American Peace and Security

Central America’s modern history is marked by widespread poverty, stark inequalities, political instability, and violent repression.