http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2008/0617_colombia_farc.html

Discusses the condition of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, their hostages, and the potential direction of this situation. A peace briefing from the U.S. Institute of Peace.

http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/332/pub4000.pdf

An in-depth description of the current level of economic development in the Caribbean countries and an overview of the economic literature on potential Caribbean development. Includes country by country profiles of the 18 Caribbean basin countries. From the U.S. International Trade Commission

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2008_rpt/crs-china.pdf

Discusses Chinese foreign policy goals, its penetration into South America, Asia, and Africa, and whether such penetration is a threat to U.S. interests in those regions. From the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://websie.eclac.cl/anuario_estadistico/anuario_2007/

Covers statistics on social, economic and environmental/natural resource topics for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. From the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2006-2007/americas/index.html

Describes the current features of social security programs throughout North and South America. Covers types of programs, method of financing, types of benefits, qualifying conditions and more. From the Social Security Administration.

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB851.pdf

Examines theories and applications of revolutionary warfare in an era of reactionary, jihadist wars. Explores how in particular the governments of Vietnam (1955-63), Algeria (1945-62) and Nicaragua (1967-79) unintentionally empowered revolutionary movements leading to the demise of the governments. From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

http://www.dol.gov/asp/media/reports/chartbook/2008-01/chartbook.pdf

Provides comparative information on employment levels, jobless rates, hours worked, labor costs, and productivity trends. Covers the 1996-2006 period. Covers mostly industrialized countries but section 5 looks at Brazil, China, India, Indonesia as well as Russia. From the Department of Labor.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL32488.pdf

Reviews recent political developments, such as the defeat of the constitutional amendments package backed by President Chavez, increasing tension between the U.S. and Venezuela, and recent congressional legislation resulting from this tension. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB837.pdf

Argues that gangs lead to political instability at the national, regional and global level. Focuses on the effects of transnational criminal organizations in Central America, Mexico, Jamaica, and Brazil. From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB811.pdf

Argues that U.S. policy toward Latin America should seek to strengthen the effectiveness of the democratic states in providing security and justice while assisting the 40% of the population currently excluded from the social and economic benefits of democracy. From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL32488.pdf

Latest update on political and economic conditions in Venezuela and U.S. policy toward the Chavez regime. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.