Global Insights (Audio)

The relationship between the U.S. and China is complex. Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister and current president of Asia Society, has written extensively about that relationship, including his latest book, "The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict between the US and Xi Jinping's China." Rudd discusses new developments in China’s political economy, including the impending 20th Party Congress and some of the challenges President Xi Jinping is facing due to economic difficulties, and examines their impact on U.S.-China relations moving forward.

This program is part of UC San Diego's Susan Shirk Lecture on U.S.-China Relations and is moderated by Dean Caroline Freund, School of Global Policy and Strategy. Series: "Global Policy and Strategy" [Public Affairs] [Business] [Show ID: 38317]

The international community and the United States, under both Republican and Democratic Administrations, have failed, by almost any measure, to effectively address the re-emergence of authoritarianism in the Western Hemisphere. The forthcoming virtual forum is being organized in an effort to better understand the roots and resilience of these regimes (especially in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua) and the rapidly evolving international context that facilitates their survival, particularly in light of the Russian/Ukrainian conflict. The forum aims to elicit fresh perspectives to inform future policies of the U.S. government, other international actors, and engaged civil society organizations. The Institute of the Americas is organizing this forum in an effort to help catalyze fresh thinking on U.S. policy vis-à-vis authoritarian states in the Americas in anticipation of the United States’ hosted IX Summit of the Americas scheduled in Los Angeles, CA in early June. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38107]

Autocrat, dictator, and socialist. These are just some of the terms that could be used to describe three of Latin America's most controversial leaders - Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, and Cuba's Miguel Diaz-Canel. Despite several elections which in some cases have seen opponents win, they remain in power. This is a cause for concern as other countries such as El Salvador begin to see the erosion of democratic institutions. With the three leaders not on good terms with the Biden administration, they have not been extended invitations to the IX Summit of the Americas. Richard Feinberg moderates a panel of Javier Corrales, William LeoGrande, and Victor Shih to discuss why these three leaders are still in power. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38106]

The U.S. is blessed with stable neighbors to the south and north. Despite the polarization of immigration issues along the southern border, Mexico is the indispensable ally of the U.S., according to Rafael Fernandez de Castro,

director of UC San Diego's Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies. Mexico is the top U.S. trading partner with over 6 million American jobs dependent on trade in goods and services with our neighbor to the south. Mexico also plays a substantive role in migration and border affairs. Series: "Triton Talks" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38070]

In The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century, Moisés Naím, former Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy, turns to the trends, conditions, technologies and behaviors that are contributing to the concentration of power, and to the clash between those forces that weaken power and those that strengthen it. Naím concentrates on the three “P”s—populism, polarization, and post-truths. All of which are as old as time, but are combined by today’s autocrats to undermine democratic life in new and frightening ways. The Revenge of Power shows how power has not changed but the way people go about gaining it and using it has been transformed. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 37831]

For several Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) countries, notably Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Guyana, the production of oil and gas is vital for their fiscal health. This dilemma has only been exacerbated by the economic challenges derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, countries in the region face growing pressure to de-carbonize their economies. To support LAC countries on the path towards net-zero objectives, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks – including the Inter-American Development Bank – are now de-emphasizing funding for fossil fuel-related projects. The Institute of the Americas hosts Jessica Bedoya, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank to address these issues, including the challenge of balancing energy transition and job growth with the realities of securing badly needed external financing to support economic recoveries. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37481]

In September, the Lopez Obrador administration sent an initiative to Congress aimed at amending the constitution and completely restructuring the electric sector and market. The administration has set forth specific criticisms of the prevailing market structure, particularly with regards to the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). The Institute of the Americas authored white paper, “Clean Energy Cost-Savings: A Study of Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE),” provides an assessment of the impacts both in terms of CFE’s financial outlook and emissions profile. The purchase of clean energy through the auctions in order to obtain the corresponding CEL certificates has allowed CFE to avoid variable generation costs at its thermoelectric plants, which would have been far higher than the cost of purchasing the clean energy. Indeed, the amount saved can be estimated based on fossil fuel use avoided and cost of the emissions that would have been generated, as we review in detail. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 37621]

Oscar Vasquez-Mena, PhD, shares his story of growing up in the Mexican state of Chiapas and how he found his passion for science and engineering. He believes that the university should provide a sense of community and explains how he uses his research, the arts, and academic programs to support first generation students as they pursue a college education. Series: "Education Channel" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 36424]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

El Instituto de las Américas presenta el foro “Relaciones Bilaterales Estados Unidos-Ecuador Post COVID: Reconstruyendo Mejor Juntos” para ayudar a catalizar un mayor compromiso del sector privado, de inversión y desarrollo económico en Ecuador. El foro incluye presentaciones de altos funcionarios de la Administración Lasso sobre la agenda comercial y económica de Ecuador, así como las relaciones bilaterales entre Estados Unidos y Ecuador en cuanto a energía y cambio climático, y el impacto de COVID-19 en el sistema educativo del país. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Spanish Language] [Show ID: 37422]