35 West

The CSIS Americas Program podcast looks at the politics and policies of the 35 countries in the Western Hemisphere. It especially focuses on U.S. engagement with the region, whether on trade, diplomacy, or security issues like drugs and terrorism. Guests include top policymakers from the U.S. and other countries.

Government
Education
News
1
Taiwan in the Western Hemisphere: A Status Update
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Henry Large to discuss Taiwan's diplomatic alliances with Latin America and the Caribbean.
27 min
2
A Conversation with Secretary General Albert Ra...
OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin on his vision, challenges ahead, and the organization’s role in Haiti.
33 min
3
Judicial Independence and Competitiveness in Me...
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Arturo Sarukhan and Javier Martín Reyes to discuss the impacts of Mexico's recent judicial reforms.
36 min
4
Best of 35 West: Impediment to Change or Last R...
In this episode, originally aired on October 17, 2024, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Santiago Canton to discuss the state of the International Criminal Court’s investigation of Venezuela for alleged crimes against humanity.
28 min
5
Bringing the Fight to Organized Crime in Argentina
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Martin Verrier to discuss counter-crime strategies in Argentina.
24 min
6
Lawfare Ramps up in El Salvador
In this episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Leonor Arteaga Rubio to discuss increasing attacks on civil society in El Salvador.
23 min
7
Canada's Role in the Golden Dome
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Phillippe Lagassé to discuss the potential for closer Canada-U.S. cooperation on North American missile defense.
29 min
8
Mexico's Semiconductor Moment
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Jesús Silva Elizalde to discuss tthe state of U.S.-Mexico semiconductor cooperation, and Mexico's strategy to further develop its chips industry.
28 min
9
The Aftermath of Canada’s Elections
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Andrew Potter to discuss the factors that shaped the Canadian election and the challenges confronting Prime Minister Carney, and Canada as a whole.
29 min
10
A New U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation Paradigm
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Cecilia Farfán-Méndez, Head of the North American Observatory at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, to discuss the security challenges faced by Mexico, as well as the stresses and opportunities presented by the second Trump administration for U.S.-Mexico cooperation.
27 min
11
Canada First or Canada Strong?
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Paul Wells, a veteran journalist and author on Canadian politics and public affairs.
27 min
12
Ecuador's Elections Head to a Runoff
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Will Freeman, Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Together, they discussed the key challenges Ecuador faces in the security and economic space that have defined the race.
22 min
13
The End of Arctic Exceptionalism
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Vincent Rigby, senior adviser with the CSIS Americas Program and professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Together, they discuss Canada's current force posture in the arctic and priorities for bolstering Canadian sovereignty there.
33 min
14
Aid Freezes and Security in the Andes
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Elizabeth Dickinson, Senior Analyst for the Andes at Crisis Group. Together, they discuss how the cutoff of U.S. assistance is impacting security and counter-narcotics efforts in Colombia.
25 min
15
Consistency, Change, and Crisis in Haiti
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Georges Fauriol, Senior Associate with the CSIS Americas Program and fellow with the Caribbean Policy Consortium. Together, they discuss recent political developments with the Haitian provisional government, and the future of the embattled MSS force.
34 min
16
Ecuador Returns to the Polls
In this episode, Sebastián Hurtado, President and Founder of the Quito-based political risk consultancy Prófitas returns to 35 West to sit down with Ryan C. Berg. Together, they discuss President Noboa's legacy from his abbreviated first term, including the economic and security environment facing Ecuador as the election approaches.
22 min
17
Best of 35 West: Securing Minerals Supply Chain...
In this episode, originally aired on June 20, 2024, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Dr. Gustavo Lagos Cruz-Coke, Professor of Engineering and Mines at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Together, they unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry in Latin America and the view from Chile towards China's expansion in this strategic sector.
34 min
18
EU-MERCOSUR, Better Late than Never?
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Lauri Tähtinen, a non-resident senior associate with CSIS, to discuss the trade agreement between the European Union and Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).
27 min
19
Trade, Tariffs, and the Future of U.S.-Canada R...
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Dr. Meredith Lilly, Professor and Simon Reisman Chair in International Economic Policy at Carleton University and former Foreign Affairs and International Trade Advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Together, they discuss the state of U.S.-Canada relations and how they are likely to evolve under the Trump administration.
32 min
20
Best of 35 West: Unpacking USMCA
In this episode, originally aired on May 16, 2024, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Kenneth Smith Ramos, Chief Trade Negotiator for Mexico from 2017 to 2018 and one of the architects of USMCA.
37 min
21
Mineral Security is National Security
In this episode, Henry Ziemer sits down with Abigail Hunter, Executive Director of the Center for Critical Mineral Strategy at SAFE, to discuss the state of U.S.-Canada cooperation on critical minerals projects, lingering obstacles, and the kinds of incentives needed to galvanize greater supply chain security.
21 min
22
Uruguay's Upstanding Elections
In this special episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Mauro Casa, a Uruguayan political analyst, to discuss key issues in Uruguay's election, and what can be expected as the country heads to a runoff in November.
30 min
23
Impediment to Change or Last Resort? The ICC Ca...
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Santiago Canton, Secretary General of the International Commission of Jurists and a member of the Panel of Independent International Experts on the Possible Commission of Crimes against Humanity in Venezuela of the Organization of American States.
28 min
24
The International Response to Maduro's Election...
In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Thiago de Aragão, a senior associate with CSIS and CEO of Arko Advice, a political risk analysis firm based in Brazil to discuss the international community's response to developments in Venezuela, with a specific focus on Brazil's approach.
30 min
25
Shifting the Lens—Colombia’s Feminist Approach ...
In this episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Ambassador Arlene B. Tickner, Colombia's Ambassador At-Large for Gender Issues and Feminist Global Policy to discuss the origins and implementation of Colombia's feminist foreign policy agenda.
36 min