In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, AS/COA Board Member Thomas McLarty III says a strongly concerted effort to ratify pending trade agreements will remind voters that President Obama "sees America as confident and innovative enough to remain the global economy's True North."

When Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva left office, a deal to purchase 36 Rafale jet fighters was near completion. Three weeks into her presidency, Dilma Rousseff has reopened debate over who will receive the lucrative defense contract.

The Obama administration made some changes to Cuba travel and remittance policy. But further easing of Cuba policy will face resistance from the new U.S. Congress.

Bernard Aronson, former assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs, argues in The Washington Post that delaying the ratification of free-trade agreements with Colombia and Panama sends Latin America a message: "Friends of the United States get thrown under the political bus."

In an article for The Huffington Post, AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini argues that U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America should "move on from focusing on internal politics or development objectives to understanding the nature of shifting international coalitions."

A free-trade agreement with Colombia would "give confidence to investors the country badly needs," as well as help finance judicial investigations, support the building of efficient infrastructure, and support human rights efforts, writes Edward Schumacher-Matos for The Washington Post.

"The Americas—like all foreign policy areas—will hurt for attention as administration and congressional leaders focus on the U.S. domestic agenda, including battles on healthcare and economic recovery," writes Brian Wanko.