Central American Peace and Security

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

Mexico

Since the early 1980s Washington has sought to break down all barriers to U.S. trade and investment in Mexico.

Overseas Rural Development Policy

The last fifteen years have seen an unprecedented decline in the standard of living of the world’s rural poor, and a related upsurge in both internal and international migration as people search for options.

South Africa

Since 1994 U.S. statements regarding a newly democratic South Africa, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) have frequently been cast in the language of a love fest.

Cuba

The U.S. trade embargo and various other sanctions against Cuba have been in place for some 36 years—and U.S. policy toward the island has changed little in that time.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a wholly owned government corporation established in 1971, provides taxpayer-backed and taxpayer-funded loans, loan guarantees, and insurance to businesses for investments in “politically risky” countries.

Indochina

The unquiet legacy of foreign intervention still casts a long shadow over U.S. policy in Indochina.

Economic Policy Toward Africa

For 20 years the gap has been widening between the level of economic development in Africa and every other area of the world.

World Trade Organization

Today, member countries number 125 (nearly the whole world except China, some former communist countries, and a number of small nations) and WTO rules apply to over 90 percent of international trade.

Chemical and Biological Weapons

Since the end of the cold war, the global proliferation of chemical and biological weapons (CBWs) has become more prominent in U.S. national security and foreign policy planning.

Free Trade Area of the Americas

The economic crisis in Mexico has dampened enthusiasm in the U.S. for the extension of free-trade agreements throughout the Americas.

North Korea

The controversy that surrounded North Korea’s incipient nuclear capacity had the fortuitous outcome of engaging the U.S. in direct and fruitful dialogue with the DPRK.