The Current

Election 2024 and the health of American democracy Oct 31, 2024

As the U.S. heads into the final days of the 2024 elections, Kathryn Dunn Tenpas reviews the health of American democracy, the lack of guardrails against mis- and disinformation, and ways to restore public trust.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/election-2024-and-the-health-of-american-democracy

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Government spending, debt, and taxes in the 2024 election Oct 16, 2024

The economy is one of the quadrennial top issues for American voters, and related to economic performance are concerns about the national debt, taxes, and government spending, especially on popular entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. On this episode, Ben Harris, vice president and director of Economic Studies at Brookings, talks with host Fred Dews about how these issues are seen by American voters during election season and beyond.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/government-spending-debt-and-taxes-in-the-2024-election/

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Making housing more affordable Sep 27, 2024

The high cost of housing is a significant economic pressure for many Americans, even as inflation has eased. Homeowners and renters alike pay increasingly higher percentages of their income on housing, and homelessness reached a record high in 2023.

Recorded in front of a live audience, this episode of The Current features Brookings Senior Fellow Jenny Schuetz and San Francisco Chronicle Washington Correspondent Shira Stein discussing how the Harris and Trump campaigns are talking about the housing crisis, and what federal and local lawmakers can do to incentivize homebuilding and make rent and homebuying costs more affordable.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/making-housing-more-affordable/ ‎

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As the UN General Assembly gets underway, how are we doing on the Sustainable Development Goals? Sep 13, 2024

The 79th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations opened this week in New York City. To address some of the main issues on the agenda, with a focus on sustainable development and the Summit of the Future, is John McArthur, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Brookings and a senior fellow in Global Economy and Development.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/as-joe-biden-exits-the-presidential-race-whats-next-for-kamala-harris/

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Competing energy and climate visions in the 2024 presidential election Aug 19, 2024

As part of the Brookings Election '24 initiative, Samantha Gross, director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at Brookings, talks about the energy and climate policy issues in the U.S. presidential election as voters think about how either a Harris administration or a second Trump administration would approach these matters.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/competing-energy-and-climate-visions-in-the-2024-presidential-election/

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As Joe Biden exits the presidential race, what's next for Kamala Harris? Jul 23, 2024

On Sunday, July 21st, President Joe Biden announced that he would no longer seek the Democratic Party's nomination for president in the election against Donald Trump this November. He then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination.

To talk about this momentous development in the 2024 presidential election, E.J. Dionne joins The Current. He is the W. Averell Harriman Chair and senior fellow in Governance Studies here at Brookings. He's also a syndicated columnist for The Washington Post and university professor in the foundations of democracy and culture at Georgetown University.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/as-joe-biden-exits-the-presidential-race-whats-next-for-kamala-harris/

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The state of NATO at 75 and beyond Jul 12, 2024

As NATO turns 75, alliance leaders gathered in Washington, presenting a united front in support of Ukraine's survival against the threat of Russia. Brookings Visiting Fellow James Goldgeier reviews the NATO summit's outcomes, how the organization is trying to prepare for the uncertainty of American leadership after November, and the broader challenges—and partners—in NATO's future.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-state-of-nato-at-75-and-beyond

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After the first presidential debate, what's next for Biden and Trump? Jul 01, 2024

Last week, President Joe Biden and former President Trump met in Atlanta for a presidential debate. After the event, most observers focused heavily on Biden’s seemingly poor performance, while paying Trump’s many untruths and exaggerations far less attention. And now some Biden supporters are hoping he’ll quit the race and allow another candidate to replace him. To talk about those issues and to answer the big question, do presidential debates matter?, Governance Studies Senior Fellow Elaine Kamarck, founding director of the Center for Effective Public Management, joins The Current. She’s author of numerous works including Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates, now updated in its fourth edition for the 2024 presidential contest.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/after-the-first-presidential-debate-whats-next-for-biden-and-trump/

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What role is AI playing in election disinformation? Jun 26, 2024

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to amplify the spread of mis- and disinformation in elections around the world. In this historic election year, Valerie Wirtschafter breaks down where generative AI has already played a role in disinformation campaigns and how policymakers, tech companies, and voters can build up guardrails to protect the integrity of election information.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-role-is-ai-playing-in-election-disinformation

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What can be done about Sudan's deepening humanitarian catastrophe? Jun 20, 2024

The Horn of Africa, home to over 200 million people, is experiencing high levels of fragility from both violence and climate change. The World Food Program says that the current conflict in Sudan is “risking the world's largest hunger crisis across the region." Jeffrey Feltman, visiting fellow in International Diplomacy in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Brookings, joins The Current to talk about the humanitarian and security crisis unfolding in Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-can-be-done-about-sudans-deepening-humanitarian-catastrophe/

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What the Trump hush money trial verdict means for politics and the rule of law Jun 04, 2024

On May 30, former president Donald Trump was found guilty by a Manhattan jury of 34 felony counts of falsification of business records in the first degree. The case revolved around payments made before the 2016 presidential election to adult film actress Stephanie Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels, in exchange for her silence about her allegation of an affair she had with Mr. Trump a few years prior. To talk about what the trial verdict suggests for governance, politics, and the rule of law, Norm Eisen, senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings and chair of the Anti-Corruption, Democracy and Security Project, joins The Current.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-the-trump-hush-money-trial-verdict-means-for-politics-and-the-rule-of-law/

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The dynamics of the Russia-China partnership May 22, 2024

Following President Putin's visit to Beijing, Angela Stent and Yun Sun examine Russian and Chinese cooperation over the last two years, how China benefits from the relationship, what to watch for as their economic, military, and diplomatic relations continue to evolve.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-dynamics-of-the-russia-china-partnership

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Cities need more housing. ADUs can help. May 13, 2024

Cities and states have a variety of policy options to help combat high housing costs. Brookings Metro Senior Fellow Jenny Schuetz and Gary Geiler, assistant director of San Diego’s Development Services Department, discuss how accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can be part of cities' toolkits for adding affordable housing.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/cities-need-more-housing-adus-can-help

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Find this and all Brookings podcasts on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Send feedback email to podcasts@brookings.edu.

Do US voters care about America's role in the world? May 03, 2024

Brookings scholar Constanze Stelzenmüller, director of the Center on the United States in Europe and a senior fellow in Foreign Policy at Brookings, talks about whether foreign policy issues matter to U.S. voters, and also what's at stake for the world in the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

Show notes and transcript

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Find this and all Brookings podcasts on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Send feedback email to podcasts@brookings.edu.

How a divided House passed critical foreign aid bills Apr 22, 2024

The U.S. House of Representatives passed four bi-partisan bills in a $95 billion foreign aid package with monies going to aid Ukraine, to the Indo-Pacific region to counter China, to offensive and defensive weapons to Israel, and to humanitarian aid for Gaza and elsewhere. Molly Reynolds, senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings, joins The Current to talk about how these bills were passed in a deeply divided House of Representatives and the potential risk to Rep. Mike Johnson's speakership.

Show notes and transcript

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Economic impact of the Baltimore bridge collapse Mar 28, 2024

The recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore after being struck by a container ship is both a human tragedy and an economic disaster. Six construction workers doing repair work on the bridge lost their lives when it plunged into the cold Patapsco River. The wreckage of the bridge now sits in the channel that connects Baltimore Harbor to the Chesapeake Bay, effectively closing the Port of Baltimore. Joe Kane, a fellow in Brookings Metro, talks about the economic impacts of the disaster and prospects for rebuilding the bridge.

What a strong economy can and can't fix Mar 27, 2024

The U.S. has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic's economic disruption with a strong economy, but a strong economy alone doesn't address all the challenges Americans face. As part of the Brookings Election '24 initiative, Wendy Edelberg talks about where the economy is doing better - increasing wages, decreasing inflation - and other areas where social policies can step in to fill the gaps on housing, child poverty, and more.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-a-strong-economy-can-and-cant-fix

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Fighting corruption's threat to democracy Mar 14, 2024

The third Summit for Democracy takes place March 18 to 20, in Seoul, South Korea. The theme of the summit is democracy for future generations. To talk about the summit’s critical importance and the role of anti-corruption work in the support of democracy, Ambassador Norm Eisen joins The Current. Eisen is a senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings and chair of the Anti-corruption, Democracy, and Security Project.

Show notes and transcript

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Is Russia winning in Ukraine? Feb 23, 2024

"Russia has failed in its biggest goals, but those failures may be reversed. Ukraine's successes are not guaranteed to endure, and at the moment, momentum seems to be shifting at least modestly in Russia's favor."

Two years after Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, Michael O'Hanlon takes stock of where the war stands and what happens if the U.S. House of Representatives fails to authorize additional financial and military aid.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-russia-winning-in-ukraine/

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What to know about Pakistan’s turbulent national elections Feb 06, 2024

This week, Pakistan holds national elections. Voters in the world's fifth most populous nation go to the polls to elect representatives to Pakistan's parliament, and from that, the next prime minister. To talk about what's at stake for Pakistan, the turmoil surrounding some of the major candidates, and what the outcome could mean for the region and the world, Madiha Afzal, a fellow in Foreign Policy, the Center for Middle East Policy, and the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Brookings, joins The Current.

Show notes and transcript

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Meet Cecilia Rouse, new Brookings president Jan 26, 2024

For the first episode of 2024, the new president of Brookings, Cecilia Rouse, sits down with The Current to share her thoughts on priorities facing the nation today and how Brookings can provide sound research to inform policy to improve the lives of those across America.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/meet-cecilia-rouse-new-brookings-president

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Taking stock of the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza Dec 07, 2023

As the Israeli offensive in Gaza moves south toward Khan Younis, and as some hostages come home while many more remain captive, Natan Sachs joins the podcast from Israel to reflect on the public mood, Israel's operational goals, the ongoing threat of wider regional escalation, and what might come next.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/taking-stock-of-the-ongoing-war-in-israel-and-gaza

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How anti-corruption efforts strengthen global democracy and security Dec 06, 2023

Corrupt regimes around the world threaten global democracy and security. On this episode of The Current, Norman Eisen, senior fellow in Governance Studies and chair of the newly launched global Anti-Corruption, Democracy, and Security (ACDS) project at Brookings, talks about the project and explains why fighting corruption and promoting good governance are key to strengthen democracy and security.

Show notes and transcript

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Will positive momentum from the Biden-Xi meeting last? Nov 16, 2023

President Biden and President Xi met on Wednesday in San Francisco during the APEC summit at a time of highly strained relations between China and the U.S. Patricia Kim discussed some of the outcomes of their meeting and stressed the ongoing need for Beijing and Washington "to depoliticize diplomacy and functional channels of communication and make them a regular feature of the U.S.-China relationship."

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/will-positive-momentum-from-the-biden-xi-meeting-last

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The US-Mexico border challenge Nov 09, 2023

Thousands of migrants are heading north through Mexico toward the U.S. border. The number of Border Patrol encounters with migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border continues to be high. And for two years in a row, the number of illegal crossings has exceeded 2 million. Meanwhile, border security remains a hot political issue as Republicans in Congress and on the campaign trail accuse President Biden of having an “open border policy.” Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow in Foreign Policy at Brookings offers insight about what's happening on the border.

Show notes and transcript.

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Unpacking President Biden's executive order on artificial intelligence Nov 03, 2023

On October 30th, President Joe Biden issued an executive order on "safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence." The E.O. sets new standards for AI safety and security, has new privacy provisions, and much more. Nicol Turner Lee, a senior fellow in governance studies and director of the Center for Technology Innovation, joins The Current to talk about the scope and implications of the AI E.O.

Show notes and transcript.

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What does a new rule on financial advice mean for retirement security? Nov 03, 2023

A new Department of Labor rule aims to expand protections for retirement savers by updating standards on different types of financial investment advice. Ben Harris explains what the new rule does and other steps the Biden administration could take to increase Americans' retirement security.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-does-new-rule-on-investment-advice-mean-for-retirement-security

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Who is new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson? Oct 26, 2023

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) has served just six years in the House of Representatives before being elected as the new speaker of the House. Molly Reynolds explains how his relative inexperience could hurt or help, especially in upcoming negotiations to avert a government shutdown in November.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/who-is-new-speaker-of-the-house-mike-johnson

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Parsing disinformation in the Israel-Hamas conflict Oct 25, 2023

The war between Israel and Hamas militants operating out of Gaza has produced horrific images, but also misinformation and disinformation about actions on both sides. This mis- and disinformation spreads through social media like X, the former Twitter, and confuses our understanding of what’s happening. On this episode of The Current, Valerie Wirtschafter, a fellow in Foreign Policy and the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative at Brookings, discusses how disinformation spreads, how we can spot it, and how we can better consume information coming out of conflicts like the one in the Middle East.

Biden in Israel and US diplomacy on the Israel-Gaza crisis Oct 19, 2023

President Biden visited Israel as a show of U.S. support and announced new humanitarian aid to Gaza, but subsequent Arab leader summit fell through in the wake of the al Ahli hospital bombing. Jeffrey Feltman weighs in on how Biden's show of empathy - but also caution - was received by Israelis, the urgent need for humanitarian relief in Gaza, and the dangers of escalation from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/biden-in-israel-and-us-diplomacy-on-the-israel-gaza-crisis

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War in Israel and Gaza Oct 10, 2023

Hamas' surprise attack on Israel this weekend is drawing comparisons to 9/11 and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In an online discussion, Brookings experts Natan Sachs, Shibley Telhami, Suzanne Maloney, and Molly Reynolds weighed in on Israel's response to the attacks, Iran's involvement, the regional repercussions, and how domestic politics will bear on the U.S. response, moderated by Michael O'Hanlon.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/war-in-israel-and-gaza/

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

What Kevin McCarthy's ouster as Speaker of the House means for governance Oct 04, 2023

This week, the House of Representatives ousted Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, a position he had held since January. The final vote was 216 to 210, with eight Republicans joining all voting Democrats and passing a motion to vacate, introduced by Florida Representative Matt Gaetz. Sarah Binder, senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings, joins the show to discuss what happened and what it means for governance in Congress.

Show notes and transcript.

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

UN reform and the Global South at the 2023 General Assembly Sep 29, 2023

The 2023 U.N. General Assembly saw increased calls from countries of the "Global South" for a greater role in global governance and the major multilateral institutions. Bruce Jones explains how the U.S., China, and Russia are competing for the Global South's attention, why calls to reform of the U.N. Security Council may now have a chance, and highlights a new multilateral framework called the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/un-reform-and-the-global-south-at-the-2023-general-assembly

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

India in the world after the G-20 summit Sep 12, 2023

This past weekend, India hosted its first G-20 summit, the annual gathering of leaders from the world’s largest economies. To assess highlights from the summit and India’s global role moving forward, Tanvi Madan, senior Fellow in Foreign Policy at Brookings, joins the program. Madan is host of the new Global India podcast, debuting this month from the Brookings Podcast Network.

Show notes and transcript.

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

What happened in the first GOP presidential debate and why it matters Aug 24, 2023

On Wednesday night, eight contenders for the Republican Party presidential nomination appeared on a Milwaukee stage together for the first GOP debate. Donald Trump, currently leading in the polls, was not among them. On this episode, Elaine Kamarck, founding director of the Center for Effective Public Management and a senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings, offers her analysis of what happened and what it portends moving toward the first primaries in January.

Show notes and transcript.

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What underlies the coup in Niger? Aug 09, 2023

The coup that ousted Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum in a late July follows a string of similar military takeovers in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali. Landry Signé discusses how Niger and other democracies in the Sahel have struggled to build systems of accountability and deliver public services, and the need for international, regional, and local alignment to strengthen economic security.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-underlies-the-coup-in-niger

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Israel's Supreme Court reform crisis Jul 28, 2023

Israel's Knesset passed a bill that strips Israel's Supreme Court of the power to declare government decisions unreasonable. The so-called "reasonableness bill" passed with a 64 to 0 vote after all members of the Knesset's governing coalition voted for it and all members of the opposition left the chamber. Passage of the bill has sparked turmoil in the country. Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings and a senior fellow in Foreign Policy, discusses what's happening in Israel.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-will-the-supreme-courts-affirmative-action-ruling-affect-college-admissions

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How will the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling affect college admissions? Jun 30, 2023

The Supreme Court's decision ending race-based admissions policies at colleges and universities leaves in place other forms of affirmative action like legacy preferences and early admissions — affirmative action policies that disproportionately benefit white students, says Katharine Meyer. Meyer looks at how underrepresented student enrollment dropped in states that previously banned race-based affirmative action, and how some have tried to increase student diversity through race-neutral methods.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-will-the-supreme-courts-affirmative-action-ruling-affect-college-admissions

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Putin imperiled? What to know about the Wagner Group's Russian revolt Jun 26, 2023

This weekend's fast-moving but short-lived revolt by Wagner Group mercenaries led by Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves many unanswered questions about what this signals for Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power, what will happen to the Wagner Group after this, and the ramifications for Russia's war on Ukraine. In a discussion moderated by Susan Glasser, Angela Stent, Michael O'Hanlon, and Constanze Stelzenmüller try to make sense of what happened, how to interpret it, and the longer-term implications for Russian stability and European security.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/putin-imperiled-what-to-know-about-the-wagner-groups-russian-revolt/

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What do the SEC's lawsuits signal for the future of cryptocurrency? Jun 14, 2023

Aaron Klein explains the U.S. SEC's lawsuit against cryptocurrency companies Binance and Coinbase, the current state of crypto regulation, and the continuing debate over cryptocurrency's core purpose.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/what-do-the-secs-lawsuits-signal-for-the-future-of-cryptocurrency/

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How is Congress handling the TikTok conundrum? Apr 17, 2023

The potential security implications of China's corporate control of TikTok's parent company ByteDance have scaled up in recent years as U.S.-China relations have soured and China has expanded its domestic social, political, and economic controls. But Congress' potential answer — the RESTRICT Act — has its flaws. Cam Kerry examines TikTok's challenges, other ways to address the security concerns beyond an outright ban, and the need for comprehensive privacy legislation.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/how-is-congress-handling-the-tiktok-conundrum/

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How will we remember Jimmy Carter's presidential legacy? Mar 15, 2023

With former President Jimmy Carter in hospice care, Bill Galston looks back at Carter's administration and his "exemplary and influential" post-presidential dedication to good works, and reflects on the dynamics that shape how we think about presidents' successes and failures.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/how-will-we-remember-jimmy-carters-presidential-legacy

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What's at stake in Turkey's elections? Mar 10, 2023

President Erdoğan "has been one of the symbols of democracy's global decline" and Turkey's upcoming elections will have consequences not only for Turkey, but the world, says Aslı Aydintaşbaş. In the latest episode of The Current, Aydintaşbaş assesses how public opinion of Erdoğan has shifted after the recent devastating earthquake and why the political opposition has coalesced around Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/whats-at-stake-in-turkeys-elections

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Who is Ajay Banga, US nominee for World Bank president? Feb 28, 2023

Former CEO of MasterCard Ajay Banga has been nominated to be the next president of the World Bank following the early resignation of outgoing President David Malpass. Homi Kharas explains the challenges ahead for the World Bank to integrate climate change into its economic development agenda and how Banga's background in large-scale financial services may be brought to bear to expand the bank's efforts.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/who-is-ajay-banga-us-nominee-for-world-bank-president/

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How is the US weighing in with Israel's new hardline government? Feb 04, 2023

In his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued "a strident call for calm" over recent escalating violence, while also voicing concerns over Prime Minister Netanyahu's efforts to weaken Israel's Supreme Court. Natan Sachs discusses the new hardline government, what changes to the judiciary could mean for Israel's democracy, and where the U.S. could potentially have influence.

Transcript and show notes: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/how-is-the-us-weighing-in-with-israels-new-hardline-government/

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What's happening with the debt ceiling (again)? Jan 25, 2023

After the U.S. reached its debt limit last week, Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the Treasury will engage in extraordinary measure to prevent the U.S. from defaulting on its debt, but it remains to be seen how and when Congress will take action. Brookings experts David Wessel, Bill Gale, Molly Reynolds, Wendy Edelberg explain the debt ceiling, the economic ramifications of default, and the politics of finding a solution.

Transcript and show notes: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/whats-happening-with-the-debt-ceiling-again/

60 years later, can France and Germany fulfill the ambitions of the Treaty of Élysée? Jan 24, 2023

On the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Élysée, Constanze Stelzenmüller and Tara Varma examine the French-German cooperative framework, and France and Germany's role as a driver for European partnership, leadership, and answering the challenge of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Transcript and show notes: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/60-years-later-can-france-and-germany-fulfill-the-ambitions-of-the-treaty-of-elysee/

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Moore v. Harper: Who has the power to set state election rules? Dec 08, 2022

In Moore v. Harper, the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case from North Carolina about whether state legislatures have unrestricted powers in how they administer federal elections, including the drawing of congressional district maps. Russell Wheeler explains the independent state legislature theory at the heart of the case, and what the Court's ruling could mean for partisan gerrymandering and the future of how states run elections.

Show notes and transcript: https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/moore-v-harper-who-has-the-power-to-set-state-election-rules/

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What does Xi Jinping's power move mean for China? Oct 25, 2022

China's 20th Party Congress demonstrated that none of Beijing's recent troubles, from public anger over COVID lockdowns to economic slowdowns and rising international tensions, have dented President Xi Jinping's grip on power, says Patricia Kim. In this episode, Kim examines what leadership personnel changes and Xi's domestic focus on national security mean for China's near-term trajectory.

Show notes: https://brook.gs/3Tw0ttk

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What’s on the agenda at the UN General Assembly? Sep 16, 2022

Amid a host of challenges, the three major priorities of this year's United Nations General Assembly will be Russia's war against Ukraine, climate change, and food shortages. Bruce Jones explains the sideline diplomacy happening in New York, and the rising tension between Western countries' focus on geopolitics and the global South's need for progress on climate change.

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

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What’s happening in Afghanistan one year after the U.S. withdrawal? Aug 30, 2022

One year after the U.S. troop withdrawal, Afghanistan faces a collapsed economy, humanitarian crisis, and a Taliban regime essentially unchanged from that of 1996-2001. Madiha Afzal discusses the Taliban's restrictions on civil society, the segregation of women and girls from public life, and the need for more creative policies to alleviate Afghan people's suffering without helping the Taliban.

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

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What will student loan forgiveness mean for Black students and families? Aug 26, 2022

After President Biden's release of his plan for student debt relief, Andre Perry explains the impact loan forgiveness will have on student debt holders, the role of student debt in racial wealth and income inequality, and how to keep higher education attainable for the public.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3QVr9Ct

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Why is Sri Lanka in crisis, and what comes next? Jul 22, 2022

Sri Lanka's new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, took office last week as the country faces economic collapse, political instability, and ongoing food and fuel shortages. Constantino Xavier looks at how Sri Lanka's governing choices over many years led to crisis, the difficult reforms ahead, and the implications of Sri Lanka's collapse for other developing nations throughout Asia and Africa.

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

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What does Shinzo Abe's assassination mean for Japan? Jul 08, 2022

Following the stunning assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Mireya Solís describes Abe's policy legacies, the role he continued to play in shaping the direction of the country, and the ramifications of his assassination for Japan's politics.

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

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What does the Supreme Court’s EPA ruling mean for climate regulation? Jul 01, 2022

The Supreme Court's decision in West Virginia v. EPA narrowed the breadth of powers the Environmental Protection Agency has to regulate carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act. Barry Rabe explains the court's reasoning, the uncertainties it raises for EPA regulation, and the challenges for congressional or state-level action.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3OELI4T

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Why is Kaliningrad at the center of a new Russia-NATO faceoff? Jun 23, 2022

Russia has threatened consequences for Lithuania after the NATO member state blocked transit of EU-sanctioned goods through its territory to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid, Dan Hamilton explains the new front in tensions between NATO and Russia and the potential for Russian escalation.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3n9eWwX

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What can we expect from the January 6 committee hearings? Jun 09, 2022

As the House Select Committee to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its first public hearings in nearly a year, Norm Eisen lays out what Americans can expect from the proceedings and the committee's objectives over the coming months.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/39chpTW

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How will France’s changing political dynamics shape Macron’s next term? Apr 26, 2022

While Emmanuel Macron won re-election as France's president, far-right challenge Marine Le Pen's nationalist populism gained a larger share of the vote than ever before. Célia Belin and Agneska Bloch explain how the political dynamics at play and the upcoming June legislative elections are likely to shape Macron's policies in his second term.

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

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Where does France's presidential election stand after round one? Apr 15, 2022

The first round of France’s presidential election narrowed the field to current President Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen. Before the two face off in a second round of voting on April 24, Célia Belin and Agneska Bloch examine the issues motivating French voters, and what both candidates will try - and need - to do in the coming weeks to win in the runoff.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/3KVmCx7

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What's new in the January 6 investigation? Mar 31, 2022

Quinta Jurecic explains the significance of new developments this week around the congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Show notes and full transcript: https://brook.gs/3wPbH3H

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Why is Pakistani PM Imran Khan facing a no-confidence vote? Mar 25, 2022

Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, faces a unified opposition coalition and a vote of no confidence in parliament next week. Whether Khan's government survives the challenge or not, Pakistan's democracy will suffer as political instability undermines public confidence in the electoral process, argues Madiha Afzal.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3I3jnkC

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How is Russia conducting cyber and information warfare in Ukraine? Mar 03, 2022

While the Russian assault on Ukraine advances through ground and air forces, there haven't yet been significant cyberattacks on Ukraine's infrastructure, intelligence, or communications systems. Jessica Brandt explains what we have seen so far in the way of cyber and information warfare, why Putin might have initially avoided larger-scale cyberattacks against Ukraine, and how technology companies and U.S. and NATO intelligence services have pushed back against the Kremlin's disinformation campaigns.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3sExXLb

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Did Biden's State of the Union speech meet the moment? Mar 02, 2022

President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address aimed to both deliver a strong message to Russia about its war on Ukraine and reset Democrats' political messaging on their domestic priorities. In a live Twitter Spaces conversation, Brookings Fellows John Hudak, Scott Anderson, and Molly Reynolds analyzed the president's narrative vision of America's role in the world and his party's priorities on inflation, COVID-19, and voters' top concerns heading into the midterm elections.

Show notes: https://brook.gs/3tst2w9

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Russia invades Ukraine: What happens next? Feb 25, 2022

Russian military forces invaded Ukraine on Thursday, precipitating a dangerous security and humanitarian crisis in Europe. In a live Twitter Spaces conversation, a Brookings roundtable assessed the security and economic ripple effects of Russia’s invasion and explained what sanctions the U.S. and Europe have imposed so far and what further tools they can bring to bear.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3pgBbm5

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How far will Putin go against Ukraine? Feb 22, 2022

In a special long episode of The Current, three Brookings Russia experts discuss what's driving Putin's actions against Ukraine, what his goals may be beyond the present crisis, and how U.S. and European leaders are responding.

Show notes: https://brook.gs/3IdRNSC

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How is US, NATO diplomacy addressing Russian troop buildup? Feb 10, 2022

Tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict are escalating as Russia and Belarus engage in several days of military exercises, while U.S. and NATO allies continue a flurry of high-level diplomatic activity. Angela Stent evaluates the recent efforts to de-escalate the present crisis and Putin's willingness to play the conflict as a long game even after the military maneuvers end.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3HKmE99

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Will Biden's call for Senate filibuster reform carve out a path for voting rights? Jan 13, 2022

While President Biden and congressional Democratic leadership's call to modify the filibuster to allow voting rights legislation to pass by a simple majority is in jeopardy, Rashawn Ray weighs in on Biden's forceful Atlanta speech, explains why the John Lewis Voting Rights and Freedom to Vote acts are so important, and the risks for Democrats and the quality of U.S. democracy if the promises of progress made to Democratic voters in 2020 are broken.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/339Sspb

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Will Russia launch a full military invasion of Ukraine? Dec 16, 2021

As Russian troops gather on Ukraine's borders, the outstanding question is whether Russian President Putin is prepared to bear the domestic and international costs of a full-scale invasion or if he'll stop at pressuring NATO and the West for political concessions. Steven Pifer explains why a military incursion in 2022 will not be as easy for Russia as annexing Crimea in 2014, and where there are avenues for dialogue to defuse the brewing confrontation.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3DTflJK

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What does Congress need to get done before the holidays? Dec 03, 2021

After passing a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government operating into the new year, Congress still has a very full to-do list for the final weeks of 2021. Senior Fellow Molly Reynolds runs through the most pressing items on the congressional agenda, including raising the debt limit, what may be slowing the legislative process, and what it could take to alter the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation.

Full show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/31wsOte

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Do COP26 pledges make enough progress on climate change? Nov 18, 2021

The COP26 climate conference in Glasgow produced new agreements and pledges from 196 countries to continue cutting emissions in an effort to keep the global temperature from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. But will it be enough? Samantha Gross highlights some of the significant pledges and the need for more action.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/32g849J

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Will the Facebook whistleblower’s testimony spur new US digital regulation? Oct 14, 2021

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen's testimony on the social media platform's business practices may have been an eye-opened for members of Congress, says former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler, but this and other recent revelations are just the canary in the coal mine for the broader digital ecosystem. Wheeler points to a lack of government oversight that has left digital platforms to make their own rules, and what responses may be forthcoming from the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and state-level actors.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3ve5cEU

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Will new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida bring change to Japan? Oct 04, 2021

Fumio Kishida was elected as Japan's new prime minister after former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga lost public support and political backing over his handling of the coronavirus and the Olympics. While Kishida's early moves reflect a continuation of his predecessors' economic and diplomatic principles, an early general election at the end of October may give him stronger backing to put his own mark on policies from relations with China to income inequality.

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

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After 16 years of Angela Merkel, what's next for Germany? Sep 17, 2021

Angela Merkel has been Germany's chancellor through a series of massive crises. Ahead of the September 26 elections, Constanze Stelzenmüller explains that the question of how Germany's next leader will shape the country's role as an anchor of Europe will have far-reaching consequences in a future in which crises are the new normal.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3lyFwy7

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What does back-to-school look like during COVID? Sep 01, 2021

Jon Valant examines how the continued surge in COVID-19 cases is challenging educators, administrators, and parents to manage students' return to the classroom safely, and how national politics is affecting local decisionmaking.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3gP9i03

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What did Kamala Harris’ trip do for US engagement in Southeast Asia? Aug 27, 2021

Building on previous visits from high-level Cabinet officials, Vice President Kamala Harris' trip to Singapore and Vietnam adds positive momentum to the Biden administration's efforts to re-engage with key partners in Southeast Asia. Jonathan Stromseth explains why it's important for America to expand its political and economic agenda in the region with an eye to deepening positive, long-term relationships, not just to counter China's security and economic influence.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/38h6tjE

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How does the Senate infrastructure bill invest in future resilience and growth? Aug 10, 2021

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act "is a huge first step to tackle long-range challenges" like climate change, says Adie Tomer. The $1 trillion investment in water and power infrastructure, expanding broadband and rail, and changing how communities are developed will "give us a good chance to go into the laboratory to see what the future of the country might look like, and then continue to double down on that going forward."

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

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The eviction ban has been extended — for now. What comes next? Aug 05, 2021

Although the CDC's eviction moratorium has been temporarily extended, approximately 6 million households are behind on their rent and potentially at risk of eviction, while states and cities have struggled to distribute the billions in emergency rental assistance allocated by Congress last year.

Jenny Schuetz examines the challenges in getting aid money to renters and how to better support renters and landlords when federal and local eviction bans eventually expire.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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What does President Idriss Déby’s death mean for Chad? Apr 22, 2021

The sudden death of Chad’s President Idriss Déby after 30 years in power has created a governance vacuum that will likely lead to years of instability, says John Mukum Mbaku, unless the military hands power over to the National Assembly, as called for in Chad's constitution.

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

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After Chauvin’s conviction, will policing finally change in America? Apr 21, 2021

Will the guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin's murder of George Floyd be just a single blip of accountability in the longer history of police violence, or will it be a real inflection point to galvanize change? Rashawn Ray speaks to the significance of Chauvin's trial, the fractured state of police-community relations, and what the Department of Justice needs to ensure real accountability.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/2P98Saa

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Will Natanz attack, uranium enrichment derail nuclear diplomacy with Iran? Apr 14, 2021

Both Iran and the U.S. have incentive to continue negotiations in Vienna toward restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), says Robert Einhorn, in spite of this weekend's attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility and Iran's subsequent move to step up its uranium enrichment process.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3ab4oad

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What does the Amazon union effort signify for labor in America? Apr 09, 2021

Although workers' efforts to form a union at the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama ultimately failed, the David versus Goliath attempt "is a reflection of how broken our labor laws are." Molly Kinder looks at growing public support for unions and says it's critical for policymakers to act to make it easier for workers to organize for their rights.

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

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What does another election deadlock mean for Israel? Mar 24, 2021

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political and legal fate remains in question after a fourth round of elections in two years has yielded no clear winner. As the country remains stuck in limbo, Natan Sachs weighs in on how this election has shaken up traditional right vs. left alliances, the Islamic Ra'am party's potential kingmaker role, and what the election of extreme far-right Knesset members means for Israel's democracy.

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

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What does Quad summit signal for U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific? Mar 16, 2021

This past week, leaders of the "Quad" - U.S., India, Japan, and Australia - met for the first time as a group to put forward a positive agenda and address Chinese behavior in the Indo-Pacific region. Tanvi Madan evaluates what the Quad summit signals about the Biden administration's regional strategy, and the significance newly announced COVID-19 vaccine initiative.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3eM0Hv1

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Congress extended unemployment benefits. What should come next? Mar 12, 2021

Lauren Bauer explains how unemployment insurance (UI) benefits - now extended to September via the American Rescue Plan - have affected household finances and worker behavior, and why Congress should add automatic triggers to UI before the next recession.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/2Ord8l1

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

What’s in the latest COVID-19 relief bill? Mar 09, 2021

As the American Rescue Plan makes its final way through Congress, Wendy Edelberg examines how the key elements will provide much-needed economic relief to states and families, and make significant cuts in child poverty. Looking ahead, Edelberg recommends that Democrats and Republicans should next put together an infrastructure package to help build a robust, long-term economic recovery.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3ewuY0q

Subscribe to 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 should the US respond to Mohammed bin Salman’s role in Khashoggi killing? Mar 01, 2021

Although a U.S. intelligence report conclusively found that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, the Biden administration has not yet directly penalized the crown prince himself. Bruce Riedel explains why the White House may be hesitating to act more directly and why Mohammed bin Salman's position in Saudi Arabia may be less secure than the administration thinks.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3swwS5c

Subscribe to 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's the significance of Biden's first military strikes in Syria? Feb 26, 2021

President Biden's authorization of a U.S. retaliatory strike against Iranian-backed militias in Syria raises questions about his administration's policies toward Iraq, Syria, and the broader region. Michael O'Hanlon addresses the scale of the airstrikes, whether congressional authorization should have been sought, and how he expects the Biden administration to streamline the U.S. military presence in the Middle East.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3sA3xXl

Subscribe to 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.

Biden is ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran. How will they respond? Feb 19, 2021

On Thursday, the Biden administration announced its willingness to rejoin talks with Iran over the future of its nuclear program. However, the administration's goal isn't to simply revert to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, explains Suzanne Maloney, and when it comes to Iran policy, "getting it right is more important than getting it fast."

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3saiQ93

Subscribe to 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.

Will pro-Navalny protests threaten Putin’s power? Feb 04, 2021

The protests in Russia in support of jailed anti-corruption leader Alexei Navalny are fueled by a combination of frustrations with Vladimir Putin's repressive government, Russia's stagnant economy, and the impacts of COVID, says Angela Stent. Whether demonstrations will grow into a larger, sustained movement remains to be seen, and what influence the U.S. and Europe can wield may be limited.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3ayuq6N

Subscribe to 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 steps is the Biden administration taking on racial equity? Jan 28, 2021

In his first week in office, President Joe Biden has issued two executive orders emphasizing racial equity as a core policy at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and across the federal government writ large. Senior Fellow Andre Perry explains the significance of both orders, and more ways for the Biden administration to proactively pursue inclusive policies in its first 100 days and beyond.

Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/36kUz7T

Subscribe to 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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