News & Commentary

The Colombian conflict, the longest war in the Americas, may be finally over. Article discusses the elements of the peace agreement and cautions about future prospects. This is a remarkable achievement by the Colombian people. Let’s applaud them, and let’s also recognize how essential US advice and support has been in strengthening the capacity of the government of Colombia. There is much work ahead, the task of rebuilding and achieving a permanent peace remains.

Two scholars review Brazil’s Olympics, the nation’s internal difficulties, and its long term engagement in the world. They state: “Even in this difficult time, Brazil needs to engage with, rather than retreat from, the world in order to succeed.”

Colombia’s second largest city has undergone a renaissance of remarkable proportions. It’s the result of investment in security, infrastructure, and services. The city is a model of success.

Ricardo Hausmann, a distinguished Venezuelan scholar at Harvard, discusses why people and countries, such as Venezuela, adopt self-destructive policies.