Global I.q. Minute With Jim Falk

Part 1 of 4 in the 2026 International Perspectives Series. Once overshadowed by U.S. strategic focus on Europe and Asia, Latin America is now center stage in debates over American influence, economic opportunity, and supply-chain resilience. Join us to examine how recent developments have brought renewed attention to Latin America’s political, economic, and security significance. We’ll explore key issues shaping today’s policy landscape, including U.S. actions toward Venezuela, the strategic importance of critical minerals across the region, and how longstanding ideas about hemispheric security continue to influence U.S. decision-making. This conversation will offer perspective on where U.S.–Latin America relations stand now, what challenges and opportunities lie ahead, and why the Western Hemisphere continues to matter for U.S. priorities and global stability. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr. Benjamin N. Gedan is a Senior Fellow and the Director of the Stimson Center Latin America program. He is an Adjunct Lectu