In El Salvador and elsewhere, leaders find ways to break term limits
When leaders bend the rules to stay in power, it’s a red flag for democracy
Why El Salvador’s mass arrests won’t lower the murder rate
By promising to reduce homicides, politicians are forced to make deals with the gangs
How do North and South Americans view the U.S.?
Leaders are gathering for the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles
It’s not just a Putin problem. ‘Personalists’ like him are behind much of the world’s bad behavior.
Here’s why this style of autocracy is on the rise.
Millennial politicians are shaking up Latin America. Here’s how they differ from the old guard.
Generational turnover is getting rid of ‘los mismos de siempre’ and making politics more unpredictable.
Biden promises to fight transnational corruption. But will the U.S. target friends as well as foes?
Washington tends to avoid confronting allies, this research shows
The U.S. couldn’t build Afghanistan a democracy. That rarely works.
Regimes battling a counterinsurgency often depend on corruption to stay in power
If Biden wants to work with Mexico on migration and asylum, he might start talking to Mexican NGOs
The administration wants to encourage asylum seekers to stay in Mexico rather than continue traveling north
Do the Olympics promote nationalism — and international conflict? Here’s the research.
Real-world rivalries often play out in the Olympic arena
Across Latin America, citizens and governments are clashing over their countries’ authoritarian pasts
Here’s what that looks like on the ground
Why Biden’s plan to slow migration through international aid is unlikely to succeed
Like the United States, most developed countries are shifting away from respecting refugees’ rights at the border to trying to prevent migration in the first place
El Salvador’s president launched a ‘self-coup.’ Watch for creeping corruption and authoritarianism.
Peru’s authoritarian past is a cautionary tale for El Salvador’s future
Brazil’s president is rallying his base — so that he can expand his power
Our research finds that voters may encourage democratically elected leaders to undermine democracy
Biden is pursuing a pathway to citizenship. He will face two key challenges.
One challenge: inclusion of immigrants who don’t fit prevailing norms of deservingness.
In El Salvador, criminal gangs are enforcing virus-related restrictions. Here’s why.
Inmates are lined up during a security operation at the
The U.N. has appealed for a global coronavirus cease-fire
But is it possible to quarantine conflict?
Argentina is about to debate legalizing abortion — despite being a very Catholic country
Since 2015, a mass feminist movement has changed the national discussion.
El Salvador’s president sent troops to occupy the legislature. Here’s what’s going on.
Nayib Bukele is popular with the people, but not with lawmakers.
Putin would recognize Trump’s ‘reality TV’ techniques in the State of the Union address
That kind of showmanship really does boost public opinion ratings
Trump has given quid pro quos a bad rap. Here’s where they actually help.
In development funding, donor countries say they expect aid recipients to shape up
The Trump administration keeps making it harder to claim asylum. Here’s how — and why.
Attorney General William P. Barr unilaterally changed the rules.
Will the U.S.-Mexico migration deal work? Here are the 6 things you need to know.
People fleeing danger are likely to find new ways to get to the U.S.
Could foreign aid help stop Central Americans from coming to the U.S.? Here’s what you need to know.
Targeted aid might offer some solutions.
How do you create a better asylum policy? We asked the asylum seekers.
They want work, dignity, a chance to rebuild their lives and the possibility of a safe return home.
Is MS-13 as dangerous as Trump suggests?
[caption id="attachment_81146" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Police detain suspects after dismantling a
How Guatemala achieved what was once thought impossible: major reductions in homicides.
[caption id="attachment_80147" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Migrants from Central American countries head
What does it take to build climate resilience — especially among the world’s most vulnerable?
[caption id="attachment_79711" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Honduran migrants in a caravan heading
Here’s what social science tells us about that migrant ‘caravan’ – and the Trump administration’s response
President Trump vowed in October 2018 to reduce aid to
Democracy is in crisis in Latin America. Brazil may be the next trouble spot.
[caption id="attachment_79199" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man yells after listening to
Why the Nobel Peace Prize went to 2 people fighting sexual violence in war
As Islamic State forces swept through northern Iraq in 2014,
How deporting immigrants from the U.S. increases immigration to the U.S.
The Trump administration’s deportation policies and rhetoric have been controversial.
By ending ‘temporary protected status’ for half a million people, Trump has probably increased illegal migration
Since taking office, President Trump has shown a firm commitment
Fifty years ago, American troops abandoned Khe Sanh. Here’s how the U.S. got over ‘Vietnam syndrome.’
[caption id="attachment_75322" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] In this Feb. 7, 1968, photo,
How rape is weaponized in civil wars
[caption id="attachment_75113" align="aligncenter" width="658"] (Cornell University Press)[/caption] When I began
Why are so many children coming to the U.S. from Central America in the first place?
[caption id="attachment_75136" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Dozens of families fleeing from Central
Latin Americans are protesting — and throwing out — corrupt regimes. Why now?
[caption id="attachment_37143" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Demonstrators demand the impeachment of President
This is why Indian immigrants won’t benefit from Trump’s immigration plan
[caption id="attachment_69933" align="alignnone" width="960"] Members of the Republican Hindu Coalition
What will happen to El Salvador when the U.S. ends the protected status of Salvadoran immigrants?
[caption id="attachment_69559" align="aligncenter" width="960"] CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy
By deporting 200,000 Salvadorans, Trump may be boosting gang recruitment
[caption id="attachment_69125" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The El Salvador national flag hangs
China is investing seriously in Latin America. Should you worry?
[caption id="attachment_68418" align="aligncenter" width="960"] From left: El Salvador Foreign Minister
The FARC just became a Colombian political party. Here’s why elections are critical to a lasting peace.
[caption id="attachment_42939" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A woman and her son celebrate
It’s not just Venezuela. Elected governments don’t necessarily defend democracy or protect human rights.
On Aug. 8, 12 countries in Latin America raised their
Is Mexico the second-deadliest ‘conflict zone’ in the world? Probably not.
[caption id="attachment_58538" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A masked protester confronts police at
The Trump administration wants to send more military advisers to Afghanistan. Good luck with that.
[caption id="attachment_58268" align="alignleft" width="960"] Marines salute during a handover ceremony
Egypt and Syria have been “disappearing” their citizens. This is why countries do it.
[caption id="attachment_57995" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on
5 lessons from former presidents on making good decisions
[caption id="attachment_57810" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump salutes after laying a
Trump’s border wall ignores a long history of U.S. cooperation with Mexico. That’s a problem.
[caption id="attachment_54090" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Marchers in Mexico City protest Donald
Did U.S. aid win hearts and minds in Afghanistan? Yes and no.
[caption id="attachment_52140" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A nurse weighs a child at
The U.S. needs a new approach to counterinsurgency. This is what it can learn from El Salvador.
[caption id="attachment_50556" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Al-Nusra Front fighters in the town
Here’s what citizens who vote for authoritarians have in common
What leads citizens to vote for authoritarian candidates? In recent
The sky fell on the U.S. poultry industry last year. But NAFTA and the TPP helped protect U.S. exports.
[caption id="attachment_45785" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cage-free chickens forage at an
Most nations going to the Olympics won’t bring home a medal. Here’s why they compete anyway.
[caption id="attachment_44857" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man poses in front of
This is the problem with trying to destroy the Islamic State
[caption id="attachment_42441" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A fighter of the Islamic State
Here’s how the Euro soccer tournament will affect the Brexit vote.
[caption id="attachment_42501" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Activists with the E.U. flag and
Peru rejected Keiko Fujimori, but most new democracies vote authoritarian parties back into office. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_42106" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Demonstrators rally against presidential candidate Keiko
Here’s why some people think Brazil is in the middle of a ‘soft coup’
Brazil’s elected government is in the news, but is it
Three lessons from Ebola can help us fight the Zika virus
[caption id="attachment_35717" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A member of the Brazilian Air
These two reasons explain why the Islamic State attacked France now
[caption id="attachment_32346" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A U.S. drone strike targeted the
This is why the two leading candidates for Guatemala’s presidency came to the U.S. to campaign
[caption id="attachment_29244" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Why is television comedian and Guatemalan
This is why the two leading candidates for Guatemala's presidency came to the U.S. to campaign
[caption id="attachment_29244" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Why is television comedian and Guatemalan
Why the Rohingya will continue to flee Myanmar, even if we try to deter them
[caption id="attachment_25439" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Asylum seekers from Myanmar wait to
Those with darker skin report slower police response throughout the Americas
[caption id="attachment_21073" align="alignnone" width="620"] Riot police and security officers clash
A recent shift in immigration law will change less than you think
In light of the GOP victories Tuesday, immigration reformers are
Forecasting the 2014 Brazilian election
Joshua Tucker: The following is a guest post from political
Hot pursuit in Syria and in history
[caption id="attachment_16272" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Pancho Villa (Smithsonian)[/caption] Secretary of State
World Cup participation increases state aggression
This is the second post in our series on politics,
Latin Americans are embracing globalization and their former colonial masters
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Venezuelan public health workers face
How America Exports Its Gun Problems
[caption id="attachment_264" align="aligncenter" width="600" special=""] (Carlos Jasso/AP Photo)[/caption] American debates
When Do Interventions Work?
Jon Western is right to point out that there are
Prison Gangs as a Technology of Conflict
We are delighted to welcome the following guest post by
How do Counterinsurgencies End?
I really appreciate Henry asking me to guest post on
COIN and selection effects
"Justin Logan":http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2010/03/01/andrew-exum-and-the-philosophy-of-science/ has a go at "Andrew Exum":http://www.cnas.org/blogs/abumuqawama/2010/02/quantitative-analysis-manifesto.html for suggesting
Update on estimates of war deaths
I posted a couple days ago on a controversy over