NSF_LatinAmerica_26Feb26_SlideDeck
Thursday, February 26, 2026
NSF Hybrid Event
In-Person at
J Resort
345 N Arlington Ave, Reno, NV 89501
(Park at the East entrance, enter the casino, and take the stairs or elevator to the Mezzanine level)
Breakfast served 7:30-8:20 am, Forum 8:30-9:30 am
$30 members/$35 guests
Virtual on Zoom
Forum 8:30-9:30am PST
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mfuHpEyFSZuVDrjTCKY9Ow
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
SPEAKER:
Dr. Linda Curcio-Nagy
Associate Professor of History, University of Nevada, Reno
Thank you to everyone who came out in January to our best-attended NSF event since COVID! It was great to see a near-capacity crowd at the J Resort and to have nearly 50 attendees join us on Zoom for a very timely and important discussion about the Trump Administration’s 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS). We hope to entice even more of you to join us this month (in-person and on Zoom) at our new centrally located venue (at the J Resort). If you missed the program or you want to listen again and review the fact sheet, slides, and other program resources, they are posted on our website at: NSF Forum 21Jan26 NSS
At our January breakfast forum, Keith Hansen and Rae Huffstutler provided an in-depth look at the 2025 NSS and highlighted the renewed strategic emphasis on Latin America under the Trump Administration. The February forum continues that important conversation—stepping back in time to better understand the historical foundations of U.S. engagement in the Western Hemisphere.
Dr. Linda Curcio-Nagy will explore the long arc of U.S.–Latin American relations, examining how historical patterns of diplomacy, intervention, economic policy, and security cooperation have shaped today’s geopolitical realities. From early doctrines that defined hemispheric influence, to Cold War interventions, to contemporary concerns about migration, transnational crime, great-power competition, and economic integration, the U.S. role in Latin America has continually evolved—but never diminished in strategic importance.
Understanding this history provides essential context for interpreting today’s national security priorities. As the United States confronts intensifying competition with China, energy security challenges, migration pressures, and regional political instability, historical precedents illuminate both opportunities and risks in shaping future policy.
Dr. Curcio-Nagy will address key themes, including:
- Historical foundations of U.S. hemispheric policy (Monroe Doctrine, Dollar Diplomacy, Good Neighbor Policy)
- Cold War interventions and the Alliance for Progress
- U.S. support for and tensions with regional governments
- Debt crises, the War on Drugs, and regional instability
- How history informs today’s National Security Strategy focus on Latin America
This program will be presented in our new conversational format followed by Q&A, allowing members and guests to engage in discussion about how historical experience should inform contemporary strategy.
Why Attend?
- Strategic Context: Gain historical insight into U.S. engagement in Latin America and how past policy decisions shape today’s National Security Strategy priorities.
- Policy Relevance: Better understand why Latin America matters in 2026—across migration, energy, transnational crime, economic competition, and great-power rivalry.
- Expert Perspective: Hear from a leading scholar of Latin American history who brings decades of regional expertise and balanced analysis.
- Continuing the Conversation: Build directly on themes from our January forum on the 2025 National Security Strategy and deepen your understanding of hemispheric strategy.
- Community Engagement: Connect with Nevada’s national security, academic, military, and civic leaders in person or online for thoughtful and informed discussion.
Event Details
Please note: to accommodate our business colleagues, we are shifting the formal program time to 8:30 to 9:30am (Pacific).
7:30 AM: Breakfast & Networking
8:30 AM: Program Begins
9:30 AM: Adjourn
About the Speaker
Dr. Linda Curcio-Nagy is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Reno. She earned her Ph.D. from Tulane University and specializes in Latin American cultural and religious history. Her scholarship includes the award-winning book “Great Festivals of Colonial Mexico City: Performing Power and Identity” and numerous articles on Mexican history and society. She has received multiple teaching awards, including the University of Nevada, Reno’s Alan Bible Teaching Award, the UNR Tibbitts Award, and the Edward Liewen Prize for Teaching from the Rocky Mountain Council for Latin American Studies. Dr. Curcio-Nagy has spent over 40 years researching and working in Latin America and teaches a wide range of courses on ancient, colonial, and modern Latin America, including a course on espionage in global history, and brings deep regional expertise to discussions of U.S.–Latin American relations.
The National Security Forum is a non-partisan, educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering civil discourse and informed discussion about timely and important national security topics. We bring expert speakers from around the U.S. to talk about national and international security, domestic and foreign terrorism, economic and financial threats, the safety of our food and water supply, energy policy, electrical grid stability, and a variety of other topics that affect all Americans. The National Security Forum partners with the Washoe County School District to host an annual Youth Security Forum to encourage future generations of national security leaders.
To support NSF continuing to bring national security programs to our community and our local students, please join NSF as a member or Friend of the Forum at: https://nationalsecurityforum.org/membership/about-our-membership/