Executive Summary The US faced a series of coordinated terrorist incidents during the New Year period, highlighting vulnerabilities in urban security infrastructure and raising questions about counterterrorism preparedness. The attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas bear hallmarks of hybrid warfare, with implications for domestic and international security policy. Key findings include: New Orleans Attack:…

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Wildfires on the Eastern Coast of the United States are increasing in frequency, reshaping the usual disaster preparedness in the region. Historically rare due to humid climates, this trend stems from climate change, land-use changes, and outdated fire suppression policies. Recent surges, such as over 537 fires in New Jersey and 60 in…

Introduction ALBA (The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America) is an intergovernmental organization aimed at politically and economically integrating Latin America and the Caribbean Islands. Founded on a socialist framework, it opposes Western capitalist systems, particularly the United States. Initially proposed by Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Cuba, the alliance started in 2004 with…

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY With the goal of enhancing economic growth, trade flows, and geopolitical alliances, the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a long-negotiated trade pact between the European Union and the South American trading market “Mercosur” consisting of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay which was “agreed in principle” in 2019, its ratification was being delayed…

Executive Summary Bolivia is navigating a precarious political landscape marked by deep divisions between the opposition and the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS), led by President Luis Arce. Lingering tensions from the 2019 political crisis—when former President Evo Morales was ousted—continue to fuel unrest. Accusations against Arce’s government include undermining democratic principles, centralizing power, and…

Executive Summary In 2024, Cuba experienced its most severe energy crisis in decades, culminating in the collapse of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant. This failure highlights the significant vulnerabilities within Cuba’s energy infrastructure. The nation has faced frequent power outages, severely disrupting economic activities and essential services, sparking widespread public protests, and causing a shift…

Executive Summary: In July 2024, El Salvador passed the New Nuclear Energy Law to diversify its energy matrix by including nuclear energy as a potential future source. The law establishes the Organization for the Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Program (OIPEN) to guide the development of nuclear capabilities, primarily focusing on electricity generation, industrial applications,…