Julia Sweig surveys the 2012 presidential campaign narratives and the United States' love-hate relationship with the wealthy.

The purpose of the report is to understand the extent of the fiscal problems faced by the states of this nation in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen argue that technology can play a big role in the fight against drug cartels.

The 2010 debate over the fate of the Bush tax cuts continues to take place in the current bleak economic and fiscal environment.

Scott Wilson explains that Obama wanted to restore America's reputation as a credible mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and in doing so, the president believed he needed to regain Arab trust and talk tough to Israel.

Nader Nazmi and Shannon O'Neil say that the first challenge of Mexico's new president is to revamp the energy sector.

In her testimony before the House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Linda Robinson details how U.S. Special Operations Forces can be restructured to better confront global challenges.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney gave this statement on July 11, 2012 regarding President Obama's comments on Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

America's real outsourcing crisis isn't the one Obama and Romney are arguing about. It's the talented immigrants who are prevented from setting up shop in America

The steady U.S. presence at Asian meetings--like the upcoming ASEAN ministerial--reinforces its ties to countries in China's shadow, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

President Obama gave these remarks on extending tax cuts for middle-class families on July 9, 2012.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave these remarks on July 9, 2012 at the International Women's Leadership Forum in Mongolia.

Captain Melissa Bert, USCG, and Captain Bradley Russell, USN, argue that while the United States is a nation reliant on sea power, it is not being the leader it can be on the Law of the Sea Convention.

The Keystone XL pipeline could bolster U.S.-Canadian ties, but uproar over oil sands has become a source of friction.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney gave this statement on July 5, 2012, on the 201st anniversary of Venezuela's independence.

Julia E. Sweig explores what the political crisis unfolding in Paraguay means for Brazil and its regional leadership.

Richard N. Haass and Klaus Kleinfeld argue, "If the United States is to remain economically competitive, it must do a better job educating its children."

The New Yorker details the fight for Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Americas Research Links include news, country background, government and diplomatic representation, data, U.S. Policy Toward the Americas, Organizations, History of the Americas, Comprehensive Research Guides.

Whoever wins Mexico's presidential election will need to jumpstart economic growth, work toward energy reform, and deal with a violent drug war, says CFR's Shannon K. O'Neil.