Haiti faces a severe collapse of security, governance, and economic stability as gangs expand territorial control, state institutions weaken, and humanitarian needs escalate. The paper analyzes the limited effectiveness of past international interventions and describes how new UN Security Council Resolutions 2793 and 2794 aim to empower a larger Gang Suppression Force and strengthen sanctions to curb armed groups and illicit financial flows. It details how corruption, money laundering, and diversified criminal financing - combined with an under-resourced police and judiciary - undermine efforts to restore order. The authors argue that only a coordinated, Haitian-led strategy integrating security operations, institutional reform, and international support can create the conditions for long-term democratic governance and prosperity.
Haiti is in a state of chaos. It is ravaged and controlled by vicious gangs caught in a turf war, that terrorize, abuse, and murder at whim. Ultimately, Haiti, on the brink of state failure, will not recover until its internal security crisis and lack of good, legitimate governance are remediated. The United States should pursue a multifaceted "engaged ally" approach to address the underlying security and socio-economic issues to lead to long-term, positive change in Haiti. This approach acknowledges the unique capacity of the United States and its allies to bring about change in Haiti while still prioritizing a Haitian-led solution.
Rebuilding Haiti: Pathways Out of Crisis: This webinar explores Haiti's complex challenges and potential solutions for the nation's recovery. Expert panelists examine the root causes of Haiti's ongoing crisis, including political instability, economic struggles, and security concerns. Discussion topics include the impact of gang violence, the collapse of democratic institutions, and the humanitarian crisis that has left millions food insecure. Panelists share perspectives about international efforts to support Haiti, the role of the Haitian diaspora, and approaches to rebuilding the country's infrastructure and economy.
The panel features Dr. Arturo Sotomayor, Professor, William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies; Dr. John Manza, Executive Director, Haiti Interagency Working Group; Websder Corneille, Haitian Linguist/Adjunct Lecturer, CLACS-Indiana University Bloomington; and Johanna Leblanc, J.D., LL.M., Partner of the Adomi Group/Adjunct Professor at Howard University.
Rebuilding Haiti: Pathways Out of Crisis: This webinar explores Haiti's complex challenges and potential solutions for the nation's recovery. Expert panelists examine the root causes of Haiti's ongoing crisis, including political instability, economic struggles, and security concerns. Discussion topics include the impact of gang violence, the collapse of democratic institutions, and the humanitarian crisis that has left millions food insecure. Panelists share perspectives about international efforts to support Haiti, the role of the Haitian diaspora, and approaches to rebuilding the country's infrastructure and economy.
The panel features Dr. Arturo Sotomayor, Professor, William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies; Dr. John Manza, Executive Director, Haiti Interagency Working Group; Websder Corneille, Haitian Linguist/Adjunct Lecturer, CLACS-Indiana University Bloomington; and Johanna Leblanc, J.D., LL.M., Partner of the Adomi Group/Adjunct Professor at Howard University.
In this article for US Northern Command’s magazine, The Watch, Dr. William Godnick describes the contours and challenges faced at the United States’ "third border" in the Caribbean, specifically the multi-island state of the Bahamas. Dr. Godnick outlines the long-standing bilateral relationship between the United States and the Bahamas and how increased Chinese investment presents a new set of challenges for the relationship. He calls for re-thinking how security cooperation relationships should be forged with high, middle-income countries to avoid security gaps in our shared neighborhood.
Food insecurity is an urgent problem in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and the LAC region’s susceptibility to food insecurity is poised to worsen. Food insecurity is not in itself a phenomenon that necessitates a military response. Indeed, food insecurity is “not” a traditional security threat to territorial borders and national sovereignty. Rather, it should be seen as an amplifier of political, economic, social, and ecological strain and vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malign actors and, thus, contributing to heightened security concerns. In this view, investments in food security should be considered as necessary, proactive, and preventative security measures, in support of civilian government agencies and the private and nonprofit sectors. Through a limited role focused on humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and interagency and international collaboration, the United States can leverage the capacities and resources of the DOD to support its regional partners in combating food insecurity. Anything less would risk losing a strategic, humanitarian, and moral imperative.
