At this AS/COA event, speakers discussed the growing economic and political ties between Africa and Brazil, as well as the implications of Brazil's presence in African countries.

Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela’s refusal to back the UN resolution condemning Syria’s anti-protester crackdown raises serious concerns.

Iran’s president returns to the region at a time of increasing brinkmanship with Washington. His four prior visits held similar aims to expand diplomatic and economic ties with Iran’s handful of Latin American allies.

The debate over Venezuelan membership continued to spark political wrangling at this week’s Mercosur summit. Will Mercosur's members bypass Paraguay to let Caracas in?

AS/COA previews major events and key players in the coming year. Crucial elections are taking place in the Americas in 2012, as well as important global summits.