The Brookings Current

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What will US combat forces withdrawal mean for Iraq? Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

The White House meeting between President Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was primarily framed around the future of U.S. military forces in Iraq, but in addition to the destabilizing threats of ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, Iraq is also struggling with a deep economic crisis and need for significant political reforms. Ranj Alaaldin details Kadhimi's efforts to address Iraq's interconnected crises and how the U.S. is still critical to Iraq's future.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3iamrSk

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

How could expanded tax credits reduce child poverty? Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

As families with children start receiving the first of their monthly checks from the American Rescue Plan's expanded child tax credit, Robert Greenstein calls the benefit transformational in reaching the poorest children, and explains why it's critical the child tax credit and expanded earned income tax credit programs be made permanent to effectively reduce poverty.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3rdJK0H

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

How serious are the Trump Organization tax fraud charges? Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

The Trump Organization and its CFO, Allen Weisselberg, face felony charges for an alleged 15-year scheme of conspiracy and criminal tax fraud in the state of New York. "When you read through the indictment, through all 15 counts and the 24-page indictment and the stunning level of detail, it really presents a sweeping tax fraud case." Norman Eisen examines the severity of the charges against the Trump Organization, and evaluates former President Trump's risk for potential future indictment.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3ho5McE

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

What did the Biden-Putin summit do for US-Russian relations? Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

The White House's goal for the Geneva meeting of Presidents Biden and Putin was not a reset, but to set guardrails for a more stable and predictable relationship. Angela Stent assesses the basic agreements that came out of Wednesday's summit, potential areas for future cooperation, and where U.S. and Russian priorities will continue to challenge the relationship.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3gC5n7j

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

What does the end of the Keystone pipeline mean for US energy? Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

Attempts to build the the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada's oil sands to the U.S. Gulf Coast have been abandoned after more than a decade of opposition from environmentalists, dropping oil prices, and the Biden administration's drive to decarbonize the U.S. economy. Samantha Gross explains the implications of Keystone's cancelation for other pipeline projects, U.S. emissions, and the future of fossil fuel infrastructure.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3gqjD1n

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

An unprecedented new governing coalition has formed in Israel. What comes next? Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

A broad coalition is coming together to form a new government in Israel, which means Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year run as prime minister may be nearing its end. Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings, explains how this coalition was created and whether it will represent a major break from the Netanyahu era.

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Why does Congress need an independent 1/6 commission? May 20, 2021

Show notes

When it comes to an investigation of the January 6, 2021 insurrection and assault on the U.S. Capitol, it needs "something beyond what Congress can do itself." Molly Reynolds explains the limitations of current congressional committee investigations, the likelihood of the Senate approving an independent 1/6 commission, and the many challenges facing any attempt to build a cohesive narrative leading up to and encompassing the events of January 6.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3v60KqB

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

What hope is there for de-escalation between Israel and Hamas? May 12, 2021

Show notes

Both Hamas and the Israeli government have dramatically escalated tensions that began as spontaneous grassroots protests over the eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem to military violence with a high cost to civilians in both Israel and Gaza. Shibley Telhami weighs in on the confrontations spreading throughout Israel and the Palestinian territories, and whether the Biden administration will be able to effectively call for calm in the region.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/2Qbg6eg

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Why did US jobs growth slow in April? May 07, 2021

Show notes

After jobs growth slowed in April, Stephanie Aaronson cautions that employment is going to be slow to return to pre-pandemic levels as employers and workers try to match their needs and pay expectations. She also addresses the relationship between unemployment benefits, wages, and slowing the spread of the coronavirus, and why there may continue to be lingering negative effects on women's labor force participation.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/2R1W32o

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

How do Biden's first 100 days reflect his vision for America? Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

John Hudak examines President Biden's first 100 days and his joint address to Congress, and how those reflect Biden's view of his presidency and the role of government in meeting the challenges of American life.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/2RaLx8y

Follow Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to BCP@Brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

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