Too often, U.S. policy toward the Americas in recent years has been negligent to our friends, ineffective with our adversaries, and disinterested in the challenges that matter to peoples' lives throughout the region.

administration policy toward the Americas will be guided by the simple principle that what is good for the people of the Americas is good for the United States.

The current United States-Brazil relationship provides a foundation for a deeper, more comprehensive partnership between our two countries.

It makes both moral and strategic sense to lift the restrictions on family visits and family cash remittances to Cuba.

Short term, we have got to focus on boosting the economy and creating jobs. Part and parcel of that is a plan for a sustainable fiscal situation long term.

For too long, we have ceded the playing field to Hugo Chavez--a democratically elected leader who does not govern democratically.

We should support the ICC's investigations, including its pursuit of perpetrators of genocide in Darfur.

The United States has an interest in expanding export opportunities for American companies and securing the benefits of increased imports for the American consumer.

We want to review what we can do to that end but, unfortunately, there are indications that this conference will be just as deeply flawed.

The regime must release, unconditionally, all of the nation's political prisoners, including the symbol and leader of Burma's democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi.

It is in America's national interest to continue to support activities that are measurable successes, are consistent with our values, and improve our security.