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35 West

Center for Strategic and International Studies

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.

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  • 27 episodes
  • Avg 30 min
  • English

Episodes 27

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  • Thursday · 29 min

    Dragon in the Americas with Leland Lazarus

    Henry Ziemer is joined by Leland Lazarus to discuss China’s evolving approach to Latin America, the competition between China and Taiwan for influence, the role of illicit economies, and the broader implications of Beijing’s growing regional presence.

  • October 1 · 31 min

    Paraguay’s Moment: A New Chapter for Development

    In this episode of 35 West, Associate Director Juliana Rubio sits down with Esteban Caballero, a political scientist and researcher at FLACSO Paraguay, to discuss Paraguay’s economic trajectory, the structural challenges that still shape its development, and the role international partners can play. They also examine how Paraguay’s relationship with Taiwan fits into a wider geopolitical context involving the United States and China.

  • September 24 · 23 min

    The Future of U.S. Development Finance in the Americas

    In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Caroline Vik, Chief Policy Officer at the DFC, to discuss the agency's evolving mission, investment opportunities across the Western Hemisphere, and the challenges shaping economic development throughout the region.

  • September 17 · 25 min

    An Update on U.S.-Mexico Firearms Trafficking

    In this episode, Henry Ziemer sits down with Jake Steisel, Senior Staff Attorney at Global Action on Gun Violence, to analyze trends in U.S. firearms trafficking dynamics.

  • September 10 · 35 min

    Will Trump’s Pressure on Canada Break the USMCA?

    Chris Hernandez-Roy and Diego Marroquin Bitar are joined by State of Play host, Will Todman, to discuss if Canada can withstand U.S. pressure, what lies ahead, and what U.S.-Canada tensions mean for the future of free trade in North America.

  • July 17 · 31 min

    USMCA Review Deadline

    In this episode, Diego Marroquín Bitar is joined by William Alan Reinsch, senior adviser and Scholl Chair emeritus with the CSIS Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business, and Scott Miller, senior mentor of CSIS’ Executive Education. Together, following the July 1, 2026, USMCA review deadline, they discuss the U.S. decision not to renew and the future of the USMCA.

  • June 29 · 29 min

    Best of 35 West: Canada's Role in the Golden Dome

    This episode initially aired on June 12, 2025. Following a recent CSIS Americas conference on U.S.-Canada security cooperation, this issue remains an important priority in the bilateral defense relationship. As a NATO and NORAD member, Canada plays a crucial role in North American continental defense. With the United States now pursuing an expanded continental missile defense posture dubbed the Golden Dome, the Canada-U.S. relationship may be entering a new phase. While the Golden Dome could prove beneficial in advancing Canada’s security strategy, it remains unclear what Canada’s involvement would actually look like, how much protection it would receive under the Golden Dome, and to what extent President Trump’s annexation rhetoric will undermine the Canadian public’s willingness to entertain the missile defense initiative. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Phillippe Lagassé, Associate Professor with the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. Together they discuss Canada's historical position on continental missile defense, changes to the threat landscape faced by Canada, and how the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney is approaching defense modernization priorities. They also discuss the effect of ongoing U.S.-Canada tensions on the likelihood that Canada will move forward with participation in the Golden Dome.

  • June 15 · 28 min

    USMCA Review Kicks Off

    In this episode, Diego Marroquín Bitar sits down with William Alan Reinsch, senior adviser and Scholl Chair emeritus with the CSIS Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business.

  • April 16 · 34 min

    Human Rights in Nicaragua

    Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Jan-Michael Simon to discuss the human rights situation in Nicaragua.

  • March 5 · 32 min

    Best of 35 West: LAC Fighters in Ukraine

    In this Best of 35 West episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, sat down with Elizabeth M.F. Grasmeder, Adjunct Professor of National Security Policy with Duke University, and Andrei Serbin Pont, Executive Director of CRIES-LAC, for a conversation on X (formerly Twitter) about the role of foreign fighters from LAC on both sides in Ukraine.

  • February 19 · 33 min

    Best of 35 West: Derechos Humanos en Cuba / Human Rights in Cuba

    In this Best of 35 West episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow with the Americas Program, sits down with Yaxys Cires, Director of Strategy at the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights to discuss the recent United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Cuba.

Showing 1–20 of 27 episodes