Arizona Policy Lab Hosts Roundtable on U.S. Foreign Policy Shifts

The Arizona Policy Lab at the University of Arizona’s School of Government and Public Policy recently hosted a roundtable discussion examining the evolving foreign policy of the United States under the current administration. The event, which focused on U.S. engagement with Asia, Europe, and Latin America, provided insights from leading experts on the implications of recent policy shifts.

Elizabeth Santander, a key figure within the Arizona Policy Lab, reiterated the organization’s commitment to fostering policy-relevant research. She emphasized that the lab’s work spans four key areas: energy and environment, crime and policing, American voting behavior, and human rights. The roundtable, she explained, was part of an ongoing initiative to engage the community in critical policy discussions.

Santander contextualized the event as a continuation of previous discussions on global democracy, elections, and misinformation. The latest forum centered on democracy and human rights, particularly about the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy in the administration’s early months. She also extended appreciation to fellow organizers Elizabeth Santander, Juliana Suarez from SGPP, and Arturo Tovar from SBS Tech for their efforts in facilitating the event.

Panel Discussion: U.S. Policy Towards Asia, Europe, and Latin America

The roundtable discussion, originally conceived before the current administration’s inauguration, has evolved in response to ongoing geopolitical developments. Santander noted that the conversation would primarily focus on Asia, Europe, and Latin America, featuring three faculty experts offering regional analyses. Professor Paulette Kurtzer, an authority on the European Union, examined the administration’s approach to Europe and its impact on the continent’s security landscape. Professor Javier Osorio, specializing in Latin American conflict dynamics and natural language processing, assessed shifts in U.S. policy toward Latin America. Finally, Elizabeth Santander, an expert on East and Southeast Asia, provided insights into U.S. policy changes in the region during the administration’s initial months.

U.S.-Europe Relations: Strategic Implications and Defense Policy

Professor Kurtzer opened the discussion with an analysis of the U.S. foreign policy’s impact on European security. She highlighted the administration’s shifting stance towards Russia and NATO, noting concerns over the weakening of NATO’s mutual defense commitment. She explored Europe’s response to these shifts, including increased regional security initiatives and efforts toward strategic autonomy.

Providing historical context, Kurtzer traced the European Union’s defense policy evolution from the post-Cold War period to the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, which formalized the EU’s role as a global security actor. She detailed key policy developments, including the establishment of the European Defense Agency and the implementation of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), aimed at deepening defense collaboration among EU member states.

Turning to recent developments, Kurtzer analyzed the administration’s criticism of NATO and its implications for European defense. She highlighted concerns over U.S. conditionality on NATO commitments and its effect on European military strategies. The war in Ukraine, she argued, has reshaped Europe’s security identity, driving increased defense spending and a push for greater military capabilities independent of U.S. influence.

Kurtzer concluded by discussing the paradox of the administration’s approach: while its rhetoric may signal disengagement, it has inadvertently prompted stronger European defense coordination and renewed commitment to regional security.

U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America: A Shift in Priorities

Professor Javier Osorio followed with an assessment of the administration’s approach to Latin America. He outlined the historical trajectory of U.S. engagement in the region, from Cold War-era containment strategies to post-Cold War efforts promoting democracy and economic development. He suggested that these long-standing priorities are now at a turning point, citing key indicators such as reductions in U.S. aid, shifts in immigration policy, and changes in trade relations.

Osorio emphasized the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as a significant policy shift. USAID, he noted, has played a crucial role in funding democracy promotion, human rights initiatives, and economic development projects in Latin America. He warned that its decline risks creating a “geopolitical vacuum” that could invite greater influence from other global powers, particularly China.

Addressing immigration policy, Osorio highlighted the administration’s increasingly “hardline stance”, which has intensified pressure on Latin American governments to comply with U.S. border security measures. He detailed how smaller nations, such as Panama and Costa Rica, have faced economic coercion to accept deported individuals, including those who are not their nationals.

Osorio concluded by cautioning that a reduced U.S. presence in Latin America could lead to long-term instability, urging policymakers to consider the broader strategic implications of disengagement from the region.

Looking Ahead: Implications for Global Policy

The Arizona Policy Lab’s roundtable comprehensively analyzed U.S. foreign policy shifts and their implications for global stability. The discussion highlighted the challenges facing European defense due to U.S. policy changes, the shifting priorities in Latin American engagement, and the evolving landscape of U.S.-Asia relations. As geopolitical developments continue to unfold, future discussions will address additional regions, ensuring a thorough examination of America’s evolving global role.