Preparing for the future of international security The security and defence landscape of 2026 is defined by changing global norms. The repercussions of increased spending commitments, strategic realignments and the testing of established structures are compounded by volatile situations on the ground. Public and private stakeholders are facing the emergence of new regional dynamics and global trends against the backdrop of this rapidly shifting domain. As NATO allies grapple with 5% defence spending targets, the concessions already granted and the speed of increased spending are testing the stability of the alliance, raising fundamental questions about burden-sharing and collective resolve. The return of a Trump administration to the White House has intensified these pressures. The United States’  approach to international relations is forcing allies and adversaries alike to recalibrate their strategies across multiple theatres of potential conflict.China’s military modernisation continues to reshape the Asia-Pacific region, with the approaching centenary of the

The Atlantic Council’s Caribbean Initiative will host the inaugural US Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum in Miami on Friday, February 20 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The Forum launches a long term platform focused on strengthening US Caribbean cooperation across ports, shipping, and the broader maritime sector. As ports play an essential role in regional trade, investment, energy security, and public safety, the Forum will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and regional experts to address shared challenges and opportunities. Discussions will focus on port infrastructure, maritime security, workforce development, regulatory change, and the use of technology to support growth across the sector. Building on momentum from the 2025 CARICOM Heads of Government meetings, where maritime cooperation emerged as a regional priority, the Forum aims to identify practical policy and investment approaches that strengthen port systems and deepen US Caribbean maritime cooperation.

Latin America’s security environment is evolving rapidly shaped by the interplay of transnational organised crime, climate-related pressures, technological disruption, and renewed great-power competition. At a time when global security cooperation is being tested, the United Kingdom and its Latin American partners face a defining opportunity to reimagine their strategic engagement. This year’s discussions will explore the future of UK–Latin American defence relations, the region’s perspectives on the war in Ukraine, innovation and emerging technologies in defence, Antarctic cooperation, responses to transnational crime, and Brazil’s evolving role in regional security. The fourth Latin American Security Conference will bring together senior policymakers and experts from academia, industry and think tanks to discuss the current and emerging challenges that threaten to disrupt the region. We will focus on finding answers and identifying pathways to promote sustainable governance in the fields of defence and security. RUSI’s Latin American Security Programme explores how shifting global dynamics

We are proud to host the third annual Africa-Americas Forum on China in collaboration with the Atlantic Council. This is a unique gathering where experts from both regions engage in open, transparent, nuanced, and constructive discussions about Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean’s relations with China. Last year, in partnership with FLACSO Argentina, the University of Witwatersrand South Africa, the Social Science Research Council, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the Atlantic Council Global China Hub, we hosted a successful two-day forum in Miami, Florida. Experts from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean shared best practices for fostering robust and healthy relationships with China.