Research Library

Geopolitical risks in Russia/Ukraine and Middle East have increased the importance of Latin America’s hydrocarbon reserves and its contribution to global energy security. Growth in the region’s oil production and its prospects for increased global natural gas exports both underscore the need for U.S. and the region governments’ policies that favor the development of Latin America’s hydrocarbons potential as well as significant investments in its decarbonization efforts, writes fellow Francisco J. Monaldi.

The recent wave of military coups in West Africa have garnered significant civilian support. In a new commentary from The Conversation, postdoctoral associate Salah Ben Hammou discusses how civilian support — a phenomenon typically viewed as an anomaly to coups — is, in fact, crucial. Ben Hammou also emphasizes the need to understand underlying political contexts and social challenges that lead civilians to such public backing.

Mosquito-borne viruses and parasitic illnesses not only are expected to become America’s new normal, especially in the Southern U.S., but also carry a pandemic-level threat. Should this happen, it could exert an enormous public health and socioeconomic toll, especially on the Gulf Coast. In response, the U.S. needs to implement modern biotechnology approaches for disease surveillance and prevention as part of its pandemic strategies, writes fellow Peter J. Hotez.

Last year, 17% of U.S. households with children faced food insecurity — a hunger gap that directly impacts children’s development and later-life opportunities. Universal free school meals are a simple and effective solution, write Rachel T. Kimbro and Simon E. Fern.

Despite innovations in information and communication technologies, Mexico has experienced slow productivity and GDP growth over recent decades. For insights into why the country’s economic progress has been limited, read nonresident scholar James Gerber’s new research paper for the Center for the U.S. and Mexico.

The Middle East remains a vital supplier of oil and gas resources, but it could begin to take on a different role. Jim Krane discusses the region’s emerging energy strategies in light of energy transitions, highlighting challenges and opportunities for decarbonization.

After seven years of steady decline and an accumulated drop of 25%, Latin America’s crude oil production has recovered by more than 9% over the past two years, thanks to significant growth in Guyana and Brazil and smaller increases in Argentina and Venezuela. Francisco J. Monaldi walks us through these developments and what could be ahead for the region.

The Latin American does not stop with hydrocarbons: It extends into metals and minerals as well. The demand for critical minerals such as copper and lithium is projected to at least double by 2030. Tilsa Oré Mónago discusses the role of South America in responding to the growing demand for critical minerals in light of clean energy transition plans, as well as the challenges to be faced in doing so.

Rachel A. Meidl discusses why sustainability requires an approach that includes environmental, social, and economic factors across the entire supply chain spanning the life cycle of energy systems. Sustainability must move beyond a narrow focus on carbon metrics to address broader impacts and drive innovation. As companies emphasize sustainability imperatives, life cycle management will become increasingly important.

The EU’s withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty may foreshadow an eventual end to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDI) — a legal mechanism that permits foreign investors to sue a country over actions that harm their investments. A report by fellow David A. Gantz outlines the history of ISDI provisions in global trade agreements and examines what ISDI’s end might mean for the future of investment and trade in the U.S., EU, and other nations.