35 West

For the first time in two decades, Canada has released a new national security plan, setting out its priorities at a pivotal moment of geopolitical change and a shifting world order.

As Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to diversify Canada’s international partnerships, strengthen domestic industries, navigate mounting pressure from the United States, and build a new alliance of middle powers, the plan signals a potential shift in how Canada approaches its security, and its role on the global stage, while reiterating its commitment to North American defense.

To help unpack what the plan means, why it's being issued now, and its relevance for the United States, Americas Program Acting Director and Senior Fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy is joined by Vincent Rigby, Americas Program Senior Adviser and Canada’s former National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister (2020–2021).

In a stunning upset, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva has won the Brazilian presidential election, defeating presumed frontrunner Flávio Bolsonaro, bucking a recent right-ward shift in presidential elections in Latin America. The win marks a historic fourth presidency for Lula, who now faces a difficult domestic political landscape and a complex relationship with the United States.

To unpack these developments, Americas Program Acting Director and Senior Fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Americas Program Senior Associate Thiago de Aragão. Together they explore the factors behind Lula’s unexpected victory, the key challenges confronting his administration, and what Brazil and the wider region can expect from his fourth term in office.

As great power competition between China and the United States intensifies, Latin America has emerged as a critical arena. Yet, discourse surrounding China’s expanding presence often falls into two reductive narratives, portraying Beijing as either a strategic “threat” or a benevolent “White Knight.” In reality, China’s regional strategy is multifaceted, spanning strategic investments in ports and digital infrastructure, access to critical minerals, and expanding security partnerships.

To explore these dynamics, Henry Ziemer sits down with Leland Lazarus, founder and CEO of Lazarus Consulting, and author of Dragon in the Americas: China’s Power, Presence, and Regional Influence. Together, they examine China’s evolving approach to Latin America, the competition between China and Taiwan for influence, the role of illicit economies, and the broader implications of Beijing’s growing regional presence.

On October 4, Brazilians cast their votes in what is shaping up to be one of the most contentious and polarized elections in recent history. Flávio Bolsonaro, the right-wing senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, finished ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, securing 47 percent of the vote to Lula’s 45 percent.

As the two candidates prepare for a runoff on October 25, corruption scandals, economic pressures, and competing policy visions are shaping the campaign. Meanwhile, conservative gains in Congress have reshaped the broader Brazilian political landscape, raising questions about how either candidate would govern and build legislative support.

To unpack these developments, Henry Ziemer sits down with Pedro Siemsen Giestas, a research analyst at Greenmantle and editor of Pindograma. Together they examine the factors behind Bolsonaro’s strong first-round performance, the political fallout from corruption allegations, and the issues and strategies likely to shape the final stretch of the campaign.

Paraguay is often overlooked in South America, but it is beginning to occupy a more visible place in regional economic and geopolitical conversations. With a growing economy, clean energy resources, and longstanding diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the country is trying to position itself for a new stage of development—one that goes beyond commodities and turns growth into broader opportunities for Paraguayans.

In this episode of 35 West, Associate Director Juliana Rubio sits down with Esteban Caballero, a political scientist and researcher at FLACSO Paraguay, to discuss Paraguay’s economic trajectory, the structural challenges that still shape its development, and the role international partners can play. They also examine how Paraguay’s relationship with Taiwan fits into a wider geopolitical context involving the United States and China.