Patrick Burns is New York-based journalist and photographer. Based in the New York bureau of a foreign language newspaper, he often travels to report on developments around the US and internationally, including recent trips to Cuba, Haiti, and Mexico. He contributes writing and photography to various other publications.
HAVANA -- The current U.S.-Cuba relationship is a fragile, quid pro quo arrangement with enormous expectations building on both sides. The Obama administration's recent pragmatic measures somehow won support in both Miami and Havana. Still, despite the diplomatic dance taking place, normalization will take time, as the two countries remain deeply divided on core issues. more
For almost the past 20 years, countries have been lobbying to reform the U.N. Security Council to make it more reflective of the current balance of power. Every year, countless hours are spent on a never-ending carousel of fruitless negotiations. And 2009 promises to be no different. more
JUAREZ, Mexico -- In the past few months, U.S. officials have issued grave warnings about the atrocities taking place south of the Mexican border. They tend to describe a war that Mexico, because of deeply ingrained corruption, is incapable of containing on its own. But in Juarez, the murder rate has recently plummeted, largely due to federal military intervention and an ambitious anti-corruption campaign. more