InterRegional for Strategic Analysis

Journalist and author Muhammad al-Hamamsi published an article on Middle East Online reviewing Dr. Sodfa Mohamed Mahmoud’s new book, An Enigmatic Continent: Understanding Latin America, which was published by InterRegional for Strategic Analysis.The article detailed how Mahmoud’s book, which was published by Abu Dhabi’s InterRegional for Strategic Analysis, analyzes current conceptual trends as well as key actors, economic infrastructure, and recent events in Latin America. The article also drew attention to how the book maps out regional and international foreign relations of Latin American countries.The review noted that the book tries to shed light on some of the challenges in studying current shifts in Latin America. Although it is largely written from a global North perspective, it also takes Latin American scholarship into account. The book aims to provide a balanced take of recent developments in the region and draws attention to the complexities of politics within Latin American countries. This is particularly relevant in light of the major economic, social, and political crises in the region, as well as growing international pressure on Latin America, and escalating competition among global powers.The article discussed how Latin America has been a highly dynamic and fluid space since undergoing democratic transitions. According to Mahmoud’s book, this is due to the rapid pace of change in the region and its ongoing crises, which have clear repercussions for political leaders, particularly with regard to the rise and fall of various political parties and movements.The political pendulum in Latin America has swung between left and right, which shows that forces of change are more driven by socioeconomic factors than ideological agendas. These shifts have happened while countries in the region were experiencing dramatic political and economic turmoil, and have also had demonstrable consequences for economic policy.According to the review, the controversy over 5G network contracts is only one part of a broader struggle between the US and China in Latin America that is likely to grow in the coming years. Washington is trying to deal with broader geopolitical concerns through its engagement in the region, but it is unlikely that these efforts will succeed. Some observers contend that Latin America does not want another Cold War. Meanwhile, many in the US see China’s growing economic and military ties with Russia and Latin America as a significant threat. However, this could simply be a matter of pragmatic choices for many countries in the region in dealing with key economic partners.Works CitedMuhammad al-Hamamsi Latin America: "An Enigmatic Continent" Grapples with Staggering Disparities. <a href="https://www.middle-east-online.com/%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%82-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Middle East Online.</a> 24 February 2024.

Press Coverage of InterRegional’s New Book on Latin America