"We are next to the largest illegal drug market in the world," said Mexican President Felipe Calderón during  AS/COA's 41st Annual Washington Conference of the Americas on May 11.

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.

"Why is a position against violence targeting homosexuals and in defense of gay rights a valid reason to reject a nominee to an ambassadorship?" asks AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini, after the Senate's rejection of Mari Carmen Aponte as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador.

When the highest court in the United States decides on the constitutionality of Arizona’s controversial immigration law next year, it could also decide the fate of similar laws in other states.

A new approach by the DHS aims to change immigration enforcement by prioritizing criminal deportations and using discretion with non-criminal immigrants. But is the policy enough to appease both frustrated Latino voters and states with strict new immigration laws?

"The delay in passing this [trade agreement with Colombia] called into question the United States’ reliability as a partner," says COA's Eric Farnsworth.

Roderick Royal talks with AS/COA about the effects of immigration law HB56 in Birmingham and beyond.