JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Topics / Spotlights

Below is an archive of resources and literature from our weekly newsletter. To sign up to our newsletter, please send a request through our contact form at the top right or clicking here.

Week of January 12, 2026
— Podcast – After Maduro: Risks in Venezuela and Beyond: Americas Quarterly

— Video – Why U.S. Power After Venezuela May Be Stronger—and Weaker: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Video – Venezuela, Oil Sanctions, and the U.S. Strategy to Reshape Global Energy: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – Venezuela After Maduro: What This Means for Venezuela’s Future: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – From Regime Change to Regime Management: Washington’s Venezuela Strategy: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – Operation Just Cause and Venezuela: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – Maduro is Gone. Now What in Venezuela?: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – The Maduro Raid: A Military Victory with No Viable Endgame: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – “Death to the Dictator” Protests in Iran: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Podcast – Venezuela’s End: The Oil Question: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Podcast – The US Economy Is (Kind of, Sort of) Growing: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Regional Highlight – Is This the End of the Fidel Castro Era?: Americas Quarterly

— Regional Highlight – Reactions to the U.S. Operation in Venezuela, from Latin America and Beyond: Council of the Americas

— Regional Highlight – AS/COA Statement on the Situation in Venezuela: Council of the Americas

— Regional Highlight – Imagery from Venezuela Shows a Surgical Strike, Not Shock and Awe: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Regional Highlight – Santos: “Brazilian diplomacy therefore needs to carefully separate two layers: defending the principles of the UN Charter and pragmatically managing the relationship with the US.”: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – Friday Reading List – 9 January 2026: LATAM Risk Report

— China, Russia, Iran – Are U.S. Operations in Venezuela a Blueprint for China for Taiwan?: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s Third Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean: Expanding Influence and Ambitions: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— China, Russia, and Iran – What the Bella-1 Teaches Us About Targeting Shadow Fleets: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— China, Russia, and Iran – The Gray Zone Strategy: How China Is Redrawing Its Influence in Latin America: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – Beijing Intensifies Operations to Shape Public Opinion in Latin America: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – U.S. warns of brake for China and Russia in Venezuela: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – Myers: “China may very much be left holding the check as concerns outstanding Venezuelan debt.”: Inter-American Dialogue

— China, Russia, and Iran – It’s Time – Recognizing The Taiwanese Nation State: Small Wars Journal

— Crime – US CBP seizes 935 pounds of cocaine concealed in cargo trailer chassis in San Juan: Border Security Report

— Crime – Drug Cartel Drones: The Technological Revolution Transforming Violence in Mexico: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Redefining the South American Crime Map: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Illicit Economies and Power in Venezuela: Regional Impacts, Global Stakes: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

— Crime – The totoaba trafficking route: Asia’s appetite for an endangered marine product is fueling a multi-million-dollar trafficking market from Mexico: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

— Crime – Treating Cartels as Terrorists Isn’t About Crime—It’s About Justifying Force: Small Wars Journal

— Crime – Los Metros Faction of the Cártel del Golfo (CDG) Arsenal of Explosives, IEDs, Kamikaze and Other Drones, and Counter-Drone Systems Seized in Reynosa, Tamaulipas: Small Wars Journal

— Critical Minerals – Can Brazil and the U.S. Reach a Deal on Rare Earths?: Americas Quarterly

— Critical Minerals – Greenland, Rare Earths, and Arctic Security: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Cyber and AI – How will the United States and China power the AI race?: Brookings

— Cyber and AI – A Networked Leapfrog Strategy to Recapture Technology Leadership: RAND

— Cyber and AI – Tech Can Avert Catastrophic Fires. What’s Missing Is Coordination: RAND

— Cyber and AI – Accelerating Technological Innovation Across the U.S. Wildfire Management System: RAND

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – After Maduro’s Capture, the Shockwaves Reach Mexico: Americas Quarterly

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Maduro’s Miscalculations Are a Cautionary Tale for Rodríguez: Americas Quarterly

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – The global implications of the US military operation in Venezuela: Brookings

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Venezuela under Trump: a transition betrayed?: Canning House

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – A Guide to Maduro’s Capture and Venezuela’s Uncertain Future: Council on Foreign Relations

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Assessing Venezuela’s Future After Nicolás Maduro’s Bold Capture: Council on Foreign Relations

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – The Senate Moves to Limit Trump on Venezuela: Council on Foreign Relations

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Increasing Venezuela’s Oil Output Will Take Several Years—and Billions of Dollars: Council on Foreign Relations

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Getting Might Right: Council on Foreign Relations

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Combined Jungle Operations Training Course: Solidifying Pathways Through the Jungle: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – What Will Result From the Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Shannon Jr.: “This is not an effort at regime change, but an effort at leadership change in Venezuela”: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Chavez: “The removal of Maduro is the relatively easy part. What comes next is the real challenge.”: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Santos: “Brazilian diplomacy therefore needs to carefully separate two layers: defending the principles of the UN Charter and pragmatically managing the relationship with the US.”: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – The Colectivos’ Role in the Struggle for Power in Post-Maduro Venezuela: InSight Crime

— Politics and Governance – Ortega-Murillo dictatorship releases political prisoners after U.S. warning: Expediente Publico

— Politics and Governance – Libre deputies try to annul the election results in Honduras: Expediente Publico

— Politics and Governance – Runoffs and limits on political parties are urgent in Honduras: Expediente Publico

— Politics and Governance – The National and Libre Party increased mayoralties in Honduras: Expediente Publico

— Politics and Governance – Xiomara Castro’s unfulfilled promises in Honduras: Expediente Publico
Week of January 05, 2026
— Podcast – Risks and Strengths of Latin America’s Economies in 2026: Americas Quarterly

— Podcast – Maduro Captured: What Comes Next for Venezuela?: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – Until You Run Out of Other People’s Money: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – María Corina in Oslo: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Video – Guillermo Zubillaga on Sky News about the U.S. Capture of Nicolás Maduro: Council of the Americas

— Podcast – Latin America in the Spotlight in 2026: Council of the Americas

— Video – Mexico Horses Around with Tariffs: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Video – The Death of the US Tech Sector: Part 1: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Video – The Death of the US Tech Sector: Part 2: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Video – North Carolina’s Silicon Mines: Leverage for the US?: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Regional Highlight – Trump Says U.S. Will “Run” Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture: Americas Quarterly

— Regional Highlight – The Post-Maduro Oil, Gas and Mining Outlook: Americas Quarterly

— Regional Highlight – The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?: Atlantic Council

— Regional Highlight – What Does a Chaotic Vote Count Mean for Honduras?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – IWI Editorial’s Year in Review: Looking Back at 2025: Irregular Warfare Initiatives

— Regional Highlight – Friday Reading List – 2 January 2026: LATAM Risk Report

— Regional Highlight – WPR’s Columnists on What to Expect in 2026: Part 1: World Politics Review

— Regional Highlight – WPR’s Columnists on What to Expect in 2026: Part 2: World Politics Review

— Regional Highlight – Three Important Bright Spots for Human Security in 2025: World Politics Review

— China, Russia, and Iran – Beijing’s UK Lending Operations: AidData

— China, Russia, and Iran – Energy Sanctions Dashboard: Atlantic Council

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s Third Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean: Expanding Influence and Ambitions: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— China, Russia, and Iran – Arbitration Ruling in Ecuador Exposes Contractual Risks with Chinese Firms: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – From Seed to Port: China’s Deep Penetration into Brazilian Agriculture: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – The Silk Road of Crime: Chinese Criminal Networks: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— Crime – New Map of Organized Crime in Chile: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Bolivia, Committed to Countering Organized Crime, Deepening Regional Intelligence and Border Control: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – GameChangers 2025: Cryptocurrency Is Now in the Criminal Mainstream: InSight Crime

— Crime – GameChangers 2025: The Unstoppable Rise of Environmental Crime: InSight Crime

— Crime – GameChangers 2025: The 10-Year Evolution of Latin America’s Booming Marijuana Market: InSight Crime

— Critical Minerals – Prioritizing Canada’s investment in Arctic infrastructure: Atlantic Council

— Cyber and AI – The United States Needs a Southwest Drone Wall: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Cyber and AI – Digital Content and Platforms in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Key Messages from the Working Group on Innovation and Technology in Education: Inter-American Dialogue

— Economics and Trade – The EU-Mercosur Deal Is an Opportunity Europe Can’t Afford to Miss: World Politics Review

— Elections – What José Antonio Kast’s Victory Means for Chile: Americas Quarterly

— Elections – 2026 Presidential Elections in Latin America: A Preview: Council of the Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – A Roadmap for Venezuela’s Future Transition: Americas Quarterly

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – What to watch in a post-Maduro Venezuela: Atlantic Council

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – How Venezuela uses crypto to sell oil—and what the US should do about it: Atlantic Council

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Joint Exercise Trident: Argentine and US Forces Enhance Interoperability: Dialogo Americas

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Venezuela After Maduro: A Conversation With Francisco Rodríguez: Foreign Affairs

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Cuba on the Brink: Where Will the Island’s Crisis End?: Foreign Affairs

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Global Americans deepens regional geopolitical analysis with high-level discussion with Julio Borges: Global Americans

— Politics and Governance – First hundred days: How Kast can accelerate US investment in Chile: Atlantic Council

— Politics and Governance – Latin America’s Revolution of the Right: Foreign Affairs
Week of December 15, 2025
— Podcast – What the Trump Doctrine Means for Latin America: Americas Quarterly

— Podcast – LatAm in Focus: Andrés Velasco on How Latin America Can Reboot Its Economic Rules: Council of the Americas

— Podcast – Narrated Story: The Future of the ELN: InSight Crime

— Video – On the Radar: Violence Spikes in Battles for Control in Haiti, Ecuador, and Mexico: InSight Crime

— Video – War Crimes, Drugs, Venezuela, Pardons…and Dancing?: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Regional Highlight – AidData receives $1 million for project on rebuilding global data systems: AidData

— Regional Highlight – Breaking down Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy: Brookings

— Regional Highlight – Reflections on Trump’s National Security Strategy: Council on Foreign Relations

— Regional Highlight – Why Did Trump Pardon Honduras’ Former President?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – Friday Reading List – 12 December 2025: LATAM Risk Report

— Regional Highlight – Gray Zone Clarity: Building Irregular Maritime Intelligence through Civilian-Linked Networks: Irregular Warfare Initiative

— Regional Highlight – China’s Oil Hunger Fuels Venezuela’s Crypto Shift: Foreign Policy Talks – FIU-JGI Research Assistant Martin Brown co-authored this piece!

— China, Russia, and Iran – Russia, China and Venezuela leave Libre alone in Honduras: Expediente Publico

— China, Russia, and Iran – Gold and Stablecoins: How Hezbollah Profits in Venezuela: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – The AI Red Flag: How Beijing Is Capturing Latin America’s Digital Future: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Global Drug Trafficking Shifts to a Duopoly: Border Security Report

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s UnionPay in Brazil: Assessing the Security Risks: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Venezuela: A Sanctuary for Transnational Crime and Epicenter of Regional Instability: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Venezuelan Regime Promotes Criminal Networks in the Caribbean: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Corruption Looms Over Record Marijuana Seizure in Paraguay: InSight Crime

— Crime – What a ‘Historic’ Marijuana Seizure Says About Smuggling Dynamics in Argentina: InSight Crime

— Crime – Peace Never Had a Chance: Colombia’s ELN in Venezuela: InSight Crime

— Crime – Bolivia: Ex-President Arrested Over Corruption Allegations: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Crime – Human Rights Watch: Ecuador Freezes Bank Accounts of Indigenous, Environmental Groups: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Crime – Cocaine and Bananas: How Balkan Traffickers Used Fruit Shipments From the Ecuadorian President’s Family Firm to Smuggle Drugs: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Economics and Trade – Cattle Traceability in Brazil: Policy, Markets, and Implementation: Inter-American Dialogue

— Economics and Trade – Personal Remitting in Numbers: What Constraints Are Expected in Remittance Growth in 2026?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Elections – Costa Rica: Meet the Candidates 2026: Americas Quarterly

— Elections – Costa Rica: Meet the Candidates 2026: Council for the Americas

— Elections – Libre fractures after its electoral defeat in Honduras: Expediente Publico

— Elections – What Does a Chaotic Vote Count Mean for Honduras?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Why Did the United States Seize a Venezuelan Oil Shipment?: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – U.S.-Caribbean Relations: The Cost of Postponing the 2025 Summit of the Americas: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – What is behind the U.S. sanction on Nicaragua?: Expediente Publico

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Global Americans deepens regional geopolitical analysis with high-level discussion with Julio Borges: Global Americans

— Foreign Policy and Engagement – Chavez: “One of my hopes is that [Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize] gets the international community’s attention again to Venezuela, because ultimately any solution is going to require the support of the international community”: Inter-American Dialogue

— Politics and Governance – José Enrique Arrioja on BBC about María Corina Machado’s Significance for Venezuelans: Council of the Americas
Week of December 08, 2025
— Podcast – Are the United States and Venezuela on the Brink of War?: Center for Strategic and International Studies

— Podcast – Wild West of Honduras: Home to Narcos and Their Politicians: InSight Crime

— Video – Child Care for All? In New Mexico?: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Video – Navigating Reindustrialization in a Deglobalized World: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Video – The Reality of Electricity in America: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Video – Kessler Syndrome and the Future of Space: Zeihan on Geopolitics

— Regional Highlight – U.S. Military Forces in the Caribbean: Evan Ellis

— Regional Highlight – What Will Defeated Ballot Questions Mean for Ecuador?: Inter-American Dialogue

— Regional Highlight – Friday Reading List – 5 December 2025: LATAM Risk Report

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s UnionPay in Brazil: Assessing the Security Risks: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s Gold Rush in Latin America: Dialogo Americas

— China, Russia, and Iran – China’s 5 Pillars: Redefining Power in the Hemisphere: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – Hemispheric Front: OAS Pact Seals Ecuador’s Long-Term War Against Narco-Terrorism: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – State-Backed Crime: The ELN and the Cartel of the Suns, a Transnational Alliance under Maduro’s Protection: Dialogo Americas

— Crime – The FBI’s plan to recapture gang members in Guatemala: Expediente Publico

— Crime – On the Radar: US Targets and Negotiates with Traffickers: InSight Crime

— Crime – Could Armed Groups Backed by Maduro Resist a US Invasion of Venezuela?: InSight Crime

— Crime – Cheers Above, Torture Below: The Dark Revival of Venezuelan Basketball: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

— Crime – From Lenin to the Narcos: Manwaring’s Lessons on Political War in the Age of Paramilitaries: Small Wars Journal

— Cyber – An AI Bust May Not Be All Bad News: Foreign Policy

— Cyber – The Dynamics Behind Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Productivity Growth: RAND

— Cyber – China Is Worried About AI Job Losses: RAND

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Trafficking

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Drones and Technology for Illicit Use

Arms Trafficking Threat (Central America)

Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Drugs (Central America)

Hurricane Melissa – Jamaica Recovery and Resources

Migration and the Threat of Extremism (Central America)

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Trafficking

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Drones and Technology for Illicit Use

Arms Trafficking Threat (Central America)

Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Drugs (Central America)

Hurricane Melissa – Jamaica Recovery and Resources

Migration and the Threat of Extremism (Central America)

JGI Policy Newsletter Catalog

Week of January 12, 2026

Week of January 05, 2026

Week of December 15, 2025

Week of December 08, 2025