The exercises are intended to demonstrate the United States' ability to degrade Iran's most potent deterrent to attack: its ability to mine and close the Strait of Hormuz.

Economic ties are joining security issues as the top U.S. concerns in the region.

Stratfor Founder and Chairman George Friedman looks at significant changes in Mexico's policy toward the drug cartels and the economy following U.S. President Barack Obama's two-day visit to the country.

Despite reports that the Syrian regime may have used sarin gas, the United States is skeptical about getting involved in the conflict.

Brasilia plans to construct infrastructure projects intended to reduce the bottlenecks that have caused problems in getting commodities to port.

Stratfor Latin America Analyst Elias Kraushaar explains that Mexico's demographic challenge is to educate and employ its young and growing population.

Stratfor Director of Analysis for Latin America Karen Hooper discusses political infighting in Mexico and the country's prospects for continued reform.

Stratfor Vice President of Intelligence Fred Burton discusses how the Boston bombing investigation will proceed now that the second suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is in custody.

Production of commodities, such as iron ore and soybeans, has outgrown Brazil's transportation infrastructure over the past two decades.

The men accused of the Boston Marathon attack are from Chechnya and also reportedly lived in Dagestan and Kyrgyzstan.