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With a new Trump administration set to take office and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum navigating key bilateral challenges, U.S.-Mexico relations face a critical test. How will both nations handle rising tensions over migration, border security, and economic policy? Can they move beyond past conflicts to create a stronger, more stable partnership? Today, we’re joined by Enrique Perret, Managing Director of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation and former Director for North America at ProMéxico, who shares his insights on the opportunities and risks ahead for this deeply interconnected relationship.

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Over the past seven and a half decades, China has transformed from an isolated, agrarian nation into a global superpower, and simultaneously impacting the international order with remarkable speed and ambition. Now, as the PRC approaches its 75th anniversary, under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has embarked on what it terms a “New Era”—one marked by assertive goals across economic, military, and technological spheres. This milestone prompts a critical reassessment of China’s evolving strategies and objectives, as well as the profound implications for the United States and the world. 

How is China wielding its tools of influence within this shifting world order, and how might the U.S. navigate this complex dynamic—balancing competition with areas of shared interest? Join us for a timely discussion on China’s trajectory under Xi Jinping’s “New Era.” Our expert panelist  Dr. Adam Segal, Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy program at the Council on Foreign Relations explores China’s cyber strategies and technological advances.

Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay

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The technological world is built by critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, and lithium. As the demand for clean energy expands, so does the demand for these metals and rare earth elements. While these materials have historically been mined on land, a trove of critical minerals is lying on the seabed and being captured by the competitive, booming, and opaque deep-sea-mining industry. The U.S. is missing out in this race while its geopolitical competitors, China and Russia are getting ahead in this industry. On the other hand, scientists and environmentalists are raising concerns regarding the environmental impacts of the industry’s activities. What is the scope and growth potential of this industry? How is it governed? How can countries balance environmental goals with economic and geopolitical ones?

Join us for a conversation with Julian Jackson, Project Director of Ocean Governance at the Pew Charitable Trusts; Vasser Seydel, President of The Oxygen Project ;and Victor Vescovo, Founder and CEO of Caladan Capital LLC and Renowned Undersea Explorer where they discuss the deep-sea mining industry, its governance, geopolitics, potential environmental impacts and more.

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Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay

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The global shift to renewable energy has ignited fierce competition between the United States and China, transforming what was once a collaborative effort into a high-stakes rivalry. China produces about 80% of the world’s solar panels, nearly 60% of electric vehicles, and over 80% of electric vehicle batteries. In terms of energy transition investment, the U.S. lags behind with $141 billion compared to China’s $546 billion. This Chinese dominance carries significant implications for global security, economic stability, and the future of international climate initiatives. Understanding these dynamics is vital, as they influence global energy markets and reshape geopolitical power structures. As competition intensifies, critical questions arise: Which green industrial policies are countries implementing, and how do they impact climate politics? How can the U.S. close the gap in the green energy race? Are there risks to one nation controlling key renewable energy technologies, and how can international cooperation be fostered to meet global climate goals?

Join us for a conversation with Professor Joanna Lewis, Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor of Energy and Environment and Director of the Science, Technology and International Affairs Program (STIA) at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service where she will discuss competition in green industrial policies, global climate politics, and more.

Music by Sergii Pavkin and Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay.

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In this special edition of Global Insights by Network 20/20, we explore the global ramifications of the 2024 U.S. presidential election through conversations with leading experts from around the world. From NATO’s evolving security dynamics to the U.S.-China green energy race, North American trade relations, and ASEAN’s strategic balancing act, this episode unpacks how the election will shape geopolitics, trade, and global partnerships. Join host Casey Craig and Network 20/20 President Courtney Doggart as they reflect on key insights from these discussions and consider what’s at stake for the world come November.

NATO and the Impact of Upcoming Elections
The China - U.S. Green Energy Race and Its Security Implications
Migration Dynamics: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Northern Triangle
NYC Migration Crisis: Drivers, Challenges & Solutions
North America’s Economic Future Amidst 2024 Elections
ASEAN and the 2024 U.S. Election

Music by Sergii Pavkin, Vlad Krotov, Good_B_Music, Dmitrii Kolesnikov, and Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay.

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The rise of far-right parties in Europe has sparked a transformative wave in the political landscape, challenging democratic norms and prompting a reflection on the future of democracy on both sides of the Atlantic. As France and Germany undergo this shift, some argue the U.S. may already be there, with the far-right’s rise within the Republican Party and fringe ideas becoming mainstream, raising the question of what connection exists, if any, between the growth of the far-right on both sides of the Atlantic. This panel will delve into the factors fueling the far-right’s ascent in Europe, explore its potential influence on the upcoming U.S. elections, and examine the broader implications for transatlantic relations and foreign policy. 

Join us for a discussion with Dr. Hans Kundnani, Visiting Fellow at the Remarque Institute at New York University; Jeremy Shapiro, Research Director of the European Council on Foreign Relation; and Tara Varma, Visiting Fellow in the Center of the United States and Europe at Brookings Institution.

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When President Biden took office after President Trump, many hoped for a fresh start in U.S.-Latin American relations, especially with the rise of progressive governments in Latin America—a trend known as the “pink tide.” Despite this optimism, meaningful change in the relationship between the U.S. and Latin America has been slow to materialize. With another U.S. election approaching this November, the next administration will face the challenge of reassessing and potentially redefining its approach to the region. Key questions remain: What is the current state of U.S.-Latin American relations? What pivotal moments have shaped these relations? Where are the opportunities for deeper engagement? And how might the upcoming elections impact the region? These questions highlight the complexities and high stakes of shaping future U.S.-Latin American diplomatic and economic policies. Join us for a conversation with Ambassador P. Michael McKinley, a four-time U.S. Ambassador to Peru (2007-2010), Colombia (2010-2013), Afghanistan (2014-2016), and Brazil (2017-2018).

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2024 is a significant year for the trilateral relationship between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. It marks the 30th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which laid the foundation for the 2020 USMCA deal. This is also an election year in both the U.S. and Mexico, the results of which will play a crucial role in shaping the future of these relations. Whichever administration wins the 2024 election will review the USMCA in 2026 and shape the region’s trajectory in various areas. With the current geopolitical climate pushing the U.S. to re-evaluate its nearshoring strategy to enhance security and economic ties with its North American neighbors, what is the current state of economic relations between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada? What opportunities and challenges lie ahead for this trilateral relationship in light of the 2024 elections? And what future does the USMCA hold?

Join us for a conversation between Mr. Goldy Hyder, President and Chief Executive of the Business Council of Canada; Dr. Joshua Meltzer, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution; and Professor Pamela Starr, Professor of the practice in the Department of Political Science and International Relations and in the Public Diplomacy program at the University of Southern California, where they will discuss these questions and more.

Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay

Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay

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The events of 9/11 marked a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy, reshaping America’s role in the Middle East and leading to two decades of deep engagement in the region. From the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to the broader War on Terror, the U.S. has played a central, often controversial, role in attempting to reshape the Middle East. This journey has been fraught with both significant achievements and tragic missteps, leaving a complex legacy that continues to influence global politics today. Has U.S. involvement truly served its national interests, or has it only deepened instability in the region? And what should America’s role in the Middle East look like moving forward given the current regional instability?

As we reflect on this 23rd anniversary, join us for a conversation with Dr. Steven Cook, Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies and director of the International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars at the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of the recently published Oxford University Press book, “The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East” 

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Upcoming domestic election results in member states have the potential to drastically affect the stability and operational capabilities of NATO. Though the Alliance experienced a surge in popularity following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, political shifts across the North Atlantic including a surge of populism and isolationist movements have generated backlash to NATO and its efforts. Potential changes in government could have unpredictable effects on NATO’s unity and future. How would a Trump victory in November impact the war in Ukraine? How will the political upheaval in the UK affect the country’s stance on continental involvement? How might NATO insulate itself and its security priorities from potential dangers and take advantage of opportunities?

Join us in a conversation with Jamie Shea, former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO and current Professor of Strategy and Security at the University of Exeter, Rachel Rizzo, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, and Mathieu Droin, Visiting Fellow in the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.