On October 27, 2026, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies welcomed Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Simon Bland and members of his team for an official visit.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the security landscape in the Western Hemisphere and identify areas for collaboration and potential synergies in support of the U.S. National Security Strategy, the Shield of the Americas, and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.

Discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen interagency coordination, advance shared security priorities, and support collaborative efforts to address emerging and transnational threats across the hemisphere.