The Program: Extra-Hemispheric Actors in Latin America and Implications for U.S. Policy

Dr. Evan Ellis will examine Chinese, Russian, and Iranian engagements in Latin America, with a focus on the latest developments in the political, military and commercial arena. Topics will include PRC economic engagement, with a focus on green energy and lithium value chains, as well as the digital sector in the region; China’s attempts to expand banking relationships and the use of the RNB in the region; the PRC-Taiwan diplomatic struggle for recognition; implications of China’s “Global Civilization Initiative,” “Global Security Initiative,” “Global Development Initiative,” and “Belt and Road Initiative” on the region; China’s “people-to-people diplomacy; Russia’s engagement in the region, including with Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba; and the status of Iran relationships in the region, with a focus on the visit by Iranian President Raisi to the region.

Presenter: Dr. Evan Ellis

Dr. Evan Ellis is a research professor of Latin American Studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, with a focus on the region’s relationships with China and other non-Western Hemisphere actors, as well as transnational organized crime and populism in the region.

Dr. Ellis has published over 400 works, including five books: the 2009 book China in Latin America: The Whats and Wherefores, the 2013 book The Strategic Dimension of Chinese Engagement with Latin America, the 2014 book, China on the Ground in Latin America, the 2018 book, Transnational Organized Crime in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the 2022 book, China Engages Latin America: Distorting Development and Democracy?

Dr. Ellis previously served as on the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff (S/P) with responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean (WHA), as well as International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) issues.

In his academic capacity, Dr. Ellis presented his work in a broad range of business and government forums in 27 countries four continents.

He has given testimony on Latin America security issues to the US Congress on various occasions, has discussed his work regarding China and other external actors in Latin America on a broad range of radio and television programs, and is cited regularly in the print media in both the US and Latin America for his work in this area.

Dr. Ellis has also been awarded the Order of Military Merit José María Córdova by the Colombian government for his scholarship on security issues in the region.

Dr. Tegnelia earned his B.S. in Physics from Georgetown University, a M.S. in Engineering from George Washington University, and a Ph.D. in Physics from The Catholic University of America.

Thursday, October 19th, 2023 6:00pm Tanoan Country Club