The United States and the Republic of the Philippines have a deep relationship that includes a bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, close people-to-people ties, and many shared strategic and economic interests. The Philippines, a diverse and democratic island nation situated east of the South C…

A water treaty from 1944—the Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande (1944 Water Treaty)—between the United States and Mexico and other binational agreements guide how the two governments share flows of the Rio Grande and Colorado Rivers. The 1944 Water Treaty states th…

Since the December 2024 collapse of the government of Bashar Al Asad, Syrians have pursued political and economic opportunities created by the end of the country’s 12-year civil war. Internal tensions and external pressures pose obstacles to the country’s transition. Transitional President Ahmed Al Sharaa led a group…

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has a dual mission to advance overseas economic development and promote U.S. exports. It funds early-stage activities to support infrastructure projects in low- and middle-income countries. Congress authorized USTDA permanently in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA),…

Chile, located along the Pacific coast of South America (Figure 1), traditionally has been a close U.S. partner in Latin America. The 119th Congress may assess U.S. economic and security ties with Chile, including the impact of U.S. tariffs, collaboration on critical minerals trade, and efforts to combat transnational…

For much of the past 15 years, successive U.S. and Mexican governments have pursued close bilateral security cooperation. Congress appropriated some $3.6 billion for such cooperation from FY2008 to FY2023. Nevertheless, U.S. officials assess that Mexico-based drug cartels, six of which the State Department designated…

Congress typically considers 12 distinct appropriations measures on an annual basis to fund federal programs and activities. Since FY2008, one of these measures has been the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bill, which has included funding for U.S. diplomatic activit…

Background The Republic of Suriname (Suriname) has had constructive ties with the United States for more than three decades. Located on the north-central coast of South America, Suriname borders Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil and identifies as a Caribbean country. Suriname is a commodity-dependent, developing count…

Honduras historically has been a close U.S. partner in Central America. Recurrent instability and weak rule of law have hindered Honduras’s development, however, and contributed to transnational challenges, including migration and drug trafficking. The 119th Congress may monitor developments in Honduras, including ele…

Background Created by an act of Congress in 1789, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) is the executive branch’s lead foreign affairs agency and oldest cabinet agency. The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with Senate advice and consent, is DOS’s senior officer and the President’s principal foreign affairs…

For more than a decade, consecutive U.S. Administrations have sought to coordinate with Mexico to reduce unauthorized migration to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported record numbers of migrant encounters (2.5 million) on the southern border in FY2023 and still elevated numbers in FY202…

Over the past several Congresses, some Members have expressed concerns about authoritarian rule under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (2013-present). Maduro took office after a narrow electoral victory following the death of Hugo Chávez (in office 1999-2013), founder of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSU…

Background The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) served as the lead international humanitarian and development arm of the U.S. government. It was established in 1961, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 10973, to implement components of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA). Congress codified USAID i…

For over a decade, the synthetic opioid fentanyl has been a key driver of the opioid crisis in the United States. Countering the international trafficking of fentanyl and its analogues and precursor chemicals has become a priority for U.S. policymakers. Since approximately 2019, Mexico has reportedly replaced the Peop…

Ecuador is an ethnically and geographically diverse country of 18.1 million people, encompassing parts of South America’s Pacific coast, Amazon Basin, and Andean highlands (see Figure 1). Ecuador faces a security crisis, with gangs fighting for control of drug trafficking routes and prisons, and attempting to influenc…

Brazil has the potential to play an influential role in international affairs as the fifth-largest territory, seventh-most populous country, and ninth-largest economy in the world. Given Brazil’s potential strategic importance, Members of Congress sometimes have explored ways to bolster U.S.-Brazil cooperation and Bra…