China, Russia, and the Regional Democracy Agenda

Join Americas Society/Council of the Americas for a look at the changing geostrategic paradigm in the Americas with a focus on China and Russia. Our program will look at current trends, what to expect, and what it all means for the United States and for the region as a whole, even as Latin America embarks upon a new round of elections that may bring significant political change.

Washington’s withdrawal from TPP and potentially from NAFTA, loud talk of border walls, and stepped up repatriation of Latin American and Caribbean citizens is having a profound effect on the position of the United States across the Americas: Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.  As the United States moves in a more stridently inward-looking direction, nations across the Western Hemisphere are seeking opportunities to diversify alliances and to structure regional relations in a manner that provides greater predictability.

Meanwhile, nations from outside the Americas have positioned themselves to take advantage of changing circumstances. With financial incentives and aggressive economic engagement, a willingness to partner with openly non-democratic regimes such as Venezuela, and a new toolkit designed to sway public opinion and gain influence including a full range of media activities and cyber capabilities, outside nations have accelerated their activities. 

It’s time for a fresh look at China and Russia in the Western Hemisphere. Please join us for the most important discussion on these issues in Washington this year.

Panelists:

• Steve Biegun, Vice President, Ford Motor Co.
• Juan Pablo Cardenal, Author and Senior Researcher, Center for the Opening and
  Development of Latin America
• R. Evan Ellis, Research Professor of Latin American Studies, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute
• Eric Farnsworth, Vice President, Americas Society/Council of the Americas
• Jorge Guajardo, Former Ambassador of Mexico to the People's Republic of China
• Shanthi Kalathil, Director, International Forum for Democratic Studies
• Ed Verona, Former President and CEO, U.S.-Russia Business Council
• Christopher Walker, Vice President, Studies and Analysis, National Endowment for Democracy

Read the speaker bios.

To register, email us at dcprograms@as-coa.org.

RSVP no later than 3:00 p.m. the day before the event.