South America

commentary

Colombia's Trailblazing Model for Refugees

Colombia recently announced it will give temporary protection status to a million undocumented Venezuelan refugees, with permission to live and work in the country for 10 years. In doing so, it created a new model for managing its own refugee situation and perhaps others elsewhere.

Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, et al.

commentary

Curb Climate Change After COVID-19? Fast-Growing India and Brazil Are Key

India and Brazil are facing pressure to launch recoveries after the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Will they backslide on their Paris climate agreement commitments, or will the expected return of the United States to the pact encourage them to build a more sustainable economic future?

Louay Constant, Troy D. Smith @troy_d_smith

blog

Most Popular RAND Blog Commentary of 2019

Terrorism. The humanitarian crisis at the border. How to engage friends and foes on the world stage. Here are the top 10 commentaries that readers engaged with most on The RAND Blog in 2019.

blog

Road Safety, Venezuela, Mental Health: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on how to end U.S. roadway deaths by 2050, Washington's strategy in Venezuela, a mental health social marketing campaign, and more.

commentary

Preparing for a Venezuela After Maduro

If it becomes evident that Maduro isn't about to fall, then the Trump administration should revisit its sanctions and rescind those that weigh most heavily on the Venezuelan people, while targeting and isolating the regime.

James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins

blog

Shutdown, Hezbollah, Border Wall: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on Americans' financial fragility, Hezbollah in Venezuela, assessing the effectiveness of a border wall, and more.

commentary

Russia Chooses Paupers as Partners, with Questionable Benefit

By leveraging the efficiencies of globalization and cultivating ties with prosperous partners, Russia could increase its economic potential and improve living standards for its people. And by engaging more positively with the world, it could gain influence in the forums that matter, such as the G20 and multilateral institutions.

William Courtney @courtneywmh, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz

commentary

Hezbollah Is in Venezuela to Stay

Whatever the benefits of replacing the current Venezuelan regime with Washington's preferred alternative, Juan Guaidó, there's reason to doubt that it would change the country's problematic relationship with Hezbollah. Hezbollah is well-entrenched in Venezuela, where it has established a vast infrastructure for its criminal activities.

Colin P. Clarke

commentary

In Venezuela, a Potential U.S.-Russian Crisis?

In December, two supersonic nuclear-capable Russian bombers visited Venezuela, the third such excursion for the warplanes since 2008. Might Moscow intend to pose a threat, perhaps even nuclear, to the Western Hemisphere? If so, how could Washington respond?

William Courtney @courtneywmh

commentary

Approaching a 'New Normal': What the Drone Attack in Venezuela Portends

The attempt to assassinate Venezuelan President Maduro showed that drones are easy to use and difficult to defend against. Commercial off-the-shelf technology is easy to acquire. It is imperative that counterterrorism specialists begin planning a robust response to the threat.

Colin P. Clarke

commentary

Fighting Obesity: Why Chile Should Continue Placing 'Stop Signs' on Unhealthy Foods

By instituting its innovative food warning label policies, Chile has become a beacon of light to countries around the world. The new government would do well to consider why it should maintain these policies, which in the long run will benefit business and the country as a whole.

Deborah A. Cohen

commentary

What the World Can Learn from Chile's Obesity-Control Strategies

Nearly 30 years into the ongoing global epidemic of obesity and chronic diseases, Chile has taken the lead in identifying and implementing obesity-control strategies that could prove to be the beginning of the end of the epidemic. The country's success on this front can serve as a lesson plan other countries could follow.

Deborah A. Cohen

commentary

A Colombian Survivor's Crusade to Strengthen Punishment for Acid Attacks

Acid attacks, one of the most extreme forms of violence against women and girls, can have devastating consequences. Officials could address this problem by making it tough to get dangerous chemicals, punishing perpetrators, and helping survivors.

Mahlet Atakilt Woldetsadik

commentary

The Ghost of Bullying

The idea that bullying is experienced by only a few children and adolescents is false. Most cases are verbal, not physical, and victims tend to remain silent. Research has shown that bullying can have negative long-term effects on a person's life.

Italo A. Gutierrez

commentary

Regulating Infrastructures in the Tropics

Regulation helps address the demands of investors who are seeking assurances that their investments are safe, while also reassuring democratically elected governments. Regulatory reform could help Brazil attract more private investment in its infrastructure.

Christian Van Stolk, Daniel Schweppenstedde, et al.