Americas

Explainers and perspectives on North, Central, and South America.

My journey from Russian dissident to Canadian activist

By Liza Slutskaya

Russian dissident Maria Kartasheva moved to Canada to escape persecution but when the Canadian government learned of her persecution in Russia, they rejected her application for citizenship.

Can you get rid of forever chemicals? More countries are finding out

By Hope O'Dell

While many PFAS chemicals are unregulated worldwide, more countries are acting to limit them, since they have been found in soil, water, and even people’s bloodstreams.

4 minute read

State lawmakers are concerned about Chinese ownership of US land, but other countries own much more American acreage

By Hope O'Dell, AJ Caughey

As of 2021, China owned less than 1% of all foreign-held land in the U.S. Canada, by contrast, held more than the entire area of Vermont and New Hampshire combined.

5 minute read

Is the UN doing a good job? Just 33% of Americans think so, new Gallup poll shows

By Hope O'Dell

New polling conducted by Gallup between Feb. 1 and 20 finds that, compared to last year, fewer Americans think the United Nations is doing a good job at solving the problems it has to face.

6 minute read

How do Americans really feel about climate change?

By Hannah Long-Higgins

How do Americans really feel about #climate change? Recent data shows that half of #Americans see climate change as a critical threat to the vital interests of the United States in the next 10 years. But that same data shows there's a big difference in the partisan breakdown of those numbers.

From oil to Ikea furniture: Red Sea conflict and Panama Canal drought delay shipments and could increase emissions

By Hope O'Dell

Over 90% of the world's traded goods are transported by ship.

4 minute read

The US is sending more troops to the Middle East. Where in the world are US military deployed?

By Hope O'Dell

In 2022, there were about 170,000 troops stationed outside of the U.S. and its territories, according to the Department of Defense. As of June 2023, there were over 30,000 troops stationed in the Middle East alone, before America expanded its military presence following Hamas' attack on Israel in October. 

5 minute read

College students are speaking out and protesting Israel-Hamas war

By Hope O'Dell

In the U.S., student groups are voicing their positions on the war between Hamas and Israel, including a statement by 34 Harvard University groups holding Israel responsible for the violence. 

4 minute read

Government shutdowns are rare in other countries – so why are they more common in the US ?

By Hope O'Dell

The U.S. government averted a shutdown after lawmakers in Congress reached a temporary, 45-day deal to extend a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. 

5 minute read