"A successful trip could be measured as one in which Obama and the leaders of the visited countries better understand the shared vision before us," writes AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal in an article about President Barack Obama's March 19-23 trip.

With President Obama set to commence a five-day, Latin American tour on March 19, AS/COA offers coverage and analysis to shine a light on priorities for his first presidential visit to Central and South America.

"Mutually beneficial engagement requires the United States to welcome Brazil’s emergence as a global power," writes Ambassador Luigi R. Einaudi for the Institute for National Strategic Studies.

U.S. President Barack Obama heads to Latin America from March 19 to 23, visiting Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth talks with AS/COA Online about why Obama chose those three countries, the trip’s timing, and the White House's top priorities for the tour.

President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit serves as a signal of the administration’s interest in Brazil, as the country continues its economic and political rise.

In the final paper of a three-part series focusing on new gateway city working papers, AS looks at the unique dynamics of the Latino and overall immigrant communities in Portland, Oregon, and how business, the public sector, and community groups are stepping up to create an environment that allows these groups to maximize their contributions to the metropolitan area.

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with heads of state from four Latin American countries in March—first when Mexican President Felipe Calderón visits Washington, followed by Obama's tour of Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador later in the month. AS/COA Online explores topics on the agenda in each case.