ATHENALAB REPORT 2021

The year 2021 was crucial for Chile. A series of successive elections began to shape a constitutional process with uncertain outcomes. At the same time, Gabriel Boric (35) was elected President of the Republic, representing a new generation that will take office at La Moneda to address various challenges.

Meanwhile, the international environment was marked by the complex inauguration of the Democratic leader Joe Biden in the United States, which was preceded by an unprecedented assault by Trump supporters on the Capitol, demonstrating that threats to democracy are everywhere.

On a positive note, the Covid-19 pandemic began to recede due to mass vaccination, where Chile demonstrated internationally recognized leadership. However, full in-person activities had not yet resumed.

In terms of internal security, drug trafficking remained the primary concern for Chileans, as evidenced by our Second Foreign Policy Survey by AthenaLab-IPSOS, an annual product that has become a reference point.

Of course, AthenaLab participated in the electoral process by organizing debates with representatives of candidates and their teams to compare proposals on international relations, security, and defense.

Several documents were also produced on this topic. A significant portion of them focused on the Armed Forces to enhance understanding of the military profession, the functioning of its pension system, and its presence in constitutional texts.

AthenaLab continued its process of engagement with various institutions. International insertion occurred through the participation of its members as speakers at conferences in Argentina, Colombia, and the United States. Additionally, articles were published in journals such as Foreign Affairs en Español, Conflits from France, and Diplomacy from Chile.

There was also active participation in local university forums and other associations. Two chapters were even contributed to the book Chile-Singapore: A Bridge to and from the Asia-Pacific.

Furthermore, the team was strengthened by the addition of new members, and our office expanded by relocating to facilities that will allow AthenaLab to become a cross-cutting meeting center for those interested in building a free, prosperous, and secure Chile.