35 West

The U.S. midterm elections have reshaped the political landscape in Washington, with Democrats securing a congressional majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The outcome could carry significant implications for the Trump administration's policies in the Western Hemisphere which it is pursuing under the “Donroe Doctrine”.

In this episode, CSIS Americas Program experts Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Diego Marroquin Bitar, and Henry Ziemer unpack the potential implications of a Democratic congress for the Trump administration's engagement in the Western Hemisphere. Together they examine how the new political balance in Congress could affect trade policy, security cooperation, and strategic competition with China across the region.

For the first time in two decades, Canada has released a new national security plan, setting out its priorities at a pivotal moment of geopolitical change and a shifting world order.

As Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to diversify Canada’s international partnerships, strengthen domestic industries, navigate mounting pressure from the United States, and build a new alliance of middle powers, the plan signals a potential shift in how Canada approaches its security, and its role on the global stage, while reiterating its commitment to North American defense.

To help unpack what the plan means, why it's being issued now, and its relevance for the United States, Americas Program Acting Director and Senior Fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy is joined by Vincent Rigby, Americas Program Senior Adviser and Canada’s former National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister (2020–2021).

In a stunning upset, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva has won the Brazilian presidential election, defeating presumed frontrunner Flávio Bolsonaro, bucking a recent right-ward shift in presidential elections in Latin America. The win marks a historic fourth presidency for Lula, who now faces a difficult domestic political landscape and a complex relationship with the United States.

To unpack these developments, Americas Program Acting Director and Senior Fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Americas Program Senior Associate Thiago de Aragão. Together they explore the factors behind Lula’s unexpected victory, the key challenges confronting his administration, and what Brazil and the wider region can expect from his fourth term in office.

As great power competition between China and the United States intensifies, Latin America has emerged as a critical arena. Yet, discourse surrounding China’s expanding presence often falls into two reductive narratives, portraying Beijing as either a strategic “threat” or a benevolent “White Knight.” In reality, China’s regional strategy is multifaceted, spanning strategic investments in ports and digital infrastructure, access to critical minerals, and expanding security partnerships.

To explore these dynamics, Henry Ziemer sits down with Leland Lazarus, founder and CEO of Lazarus Consulting, and author of Dragon in the Americas: China’s Power, Presence, and Regional Influence. Together, they examine China’s evolving approach to Latin America, the competition between China and Taiwan for influence, the role of illicit economies, and the broader implications of Beijing’s growing regional presence.

On October 4, Brazilians cast their votes in what is shaping up to be one of the most contentious and polarized elections in recent history. Flávio Bolsonaro, the right-wing senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, finished ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, securing 47 percent of the vote to Lula’s 45 percent.

As the two candidates prepare for a runoff on October 25, corruption scandals, economic pressures, and competing policy visions are shaping the campaign. Meanwhile, conservative gains in Congress have reshaped the broader Brazilian political landscape, raising questions about how either candidate would govern and build legislative support.

To unpack these developments, Henry Ziemer sits down with Pedro Siemsen Giestas, a research analyst at Greenmantle and editor of Pindograma. Together they examine the factors behind Bolsonaro’s strong first-round performance, the political fallout from corruption allegations, and the issues and strategies likely to shape the final stretch of the campaign.