Three Perry Center professors share their most recent research on security issues in Latin America in this month’s edition of PRISM, published by National Defense University. The edition includes articles by prestigious scholars such as Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS); Dr. R. Evan Ellis, former Perry Center Professor and current Army War College research professor; and Douglas Farah, independent investigator.

In his article, “Security Challenges of the New Colombian Administration,” Perry Center professor Dr. David Spencer examines four intertwined security challenges in Colombia: increased drug production, increased organized crime, peace negotiation complications, and a volatile border with Venezuela.

Professor Celina Realuyo examines “The New Opium War: A National Emergency,” and calls the current opioid epidemic in the United states a “health, security, social, economic welfare, and national security crisis.” In her article, she examines the links to the hemispheric drug trade and Mexican transnational criminal organizations.

Additionally, Professor Bill Godnick reviews Yanran Xu’s book, China’s Strategic Partnerships in Latin America. Dr. Godnick contends that China’s advantage over the US is partly a result of inattention and the lack of a coherent strategy for the Western Hemisphere within the US official strategic community.