New Innovation Escapes Budget Cap
Mark Muro, February 05, 2010
Even in lean times, President Obama’s 2011 budget proposal favors basic science and applied research. This signals that the administration is really serious about reigniting the American entrepreneurial spirit, explains Mark Muro. More jobs and more investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs could also be realized in expanding research and development.
Innovation, Infrastructure, Energy Security, Environment, Unemployment
@ Brookings Podcast: Education and President Obama's Budget
February 05, 2010
This week @Brookings, Education expert Russ Whitehurst says many welcome the boost in President Obama’s proposed budget for education spending, but notes that the plan has some critics.
Disaster Response in Haiti
January 29, 2010
The earthquake in Haiti and its aftershocks have left Port-au-Prince in ruins, displaced an estimated two million people and injured or killed tens of thousands. Getting assistance to people affected by the earthquake has been agonizingly slow for the displaced Haitians and unusually complicated for humanitarian organizations. On January 29, the Brookings hosted a panel discussion on the relief efforts in the nation.
Haiti, Natural Disasters, Internal Displacement, Human Rights
@ Brookings Podcast: State of the Union
January 29, 2010
In this week’s @Brookings podcast, expert Thomas Mann says President Obama’s first State of the Union speech had a clear message for members of his own party on Capitol Hill, while Martin Indyk notes that Obama’s heavy emphasis on domestic issues sent a strong signal to governments around the globe that the President’s priorities are currently focused at home, not abroad.
Afghanistan, Iraq and Beyond: A Discussion with Gen. George Casey
January 28, 2010
With the Obama administration marking its first full year in office, the president and the U.S. military face a new year of challenges and conflicts. On January 28, Brookings hosted General George Casey, chief of staff of the U.S. Army and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for a discussion of the state of the U.S. Army and the near-term challenges it faces in 2010.
U.S. Military, Iraq, Afghanistan, Terrorism, Haiti
Health Care Reform and Older Americans: Achieving Better Chronic Care at Lower Costs
January 28, 2010
Older Americans face unique health care challenges—many not supported in Medicare’s current payment systems— that tend to promote fragmented, high-volume, and high-intensity care and can undermine quality. On January 28, the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at Brookings hosted a forum to discuss strategies for improving care for older Americans across a range of institutional and community-based settings.
Health Care, Medicare
State of the Union 2010: A Pivotal Moment
January 28, 2010
President Obama’s State of the Union address comes at a critical time for his administration and for the country. While economic conditions are improving, one in ten workers still lack jobs; hostilities continue in Afghanistan and Iraq; the passage of health care reform legislation has been called into question; and transnational threats such as climate change and nuclear proliferation demand American leadership. On January 28, Brookings hosted a discussion of the address and its impact on the policy agenda.
2010 State of the Union, The Presidency, U.S. Economy, Transportation, Afghanistan
Government Commissions to Reduce the Deficit
Bill Frenzel, January 27, 2010
Frenzel likes the idea of a congressional commission that can actually legislate a deficit reduction plan, whereas a presidential commission for the same purpose has no teeth.
Budget Deficit, U.S. Economy, Federal Budget
Tax Cuts, Not the Government, Create Jobs
Bill Frenzel, January 27, 2010
Fenzel says it's delusional to think that the government should create jobs. The best way to put people to work is through smart, long-term business tax cuts that allow them to hire, he says.
Budget Deficit, U.S. Economy, Federal Budget
Assessing Iraq’s Future: The Path to the March Elections and Beyond
January 27, 2010
On March 7, Iraqis will elect a new national parliament. This critical election could serve as a major step forward on Iraq's difficult path toward stability and democracy. On January 27, Brookings hosted Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, for a discussion on the relationship between Baghdad and the regional government in Kurdistan.
Iraq, Middle East, Elections, Democracy Promotion
President Obama's Proposed Spending Freeze
Bill Frenzel, January 27, 2010
The president's proposed spending freeze sends the right signal about needing to stem the deficit, Frenzel says, because it could force a bit of fiscal discipline in lawmakers.
Budget Deficit, U.S. Economy, Federal Budget
President Obama's Plans to Create Jobs and Cut Spending
Bill Frenzel, January 27, 2010
In his State of the Union address, President Obama recommitted himself to creating jobs and offered a plans to freeze government spending and create a presidential commission to address the budget deficit. Bill Frenzel gives mixed reviews to this flurry of ideas and proposals from the president.
Budget Deficit, U.S. Economy, Unemployment, Federal Budget
Resetting U.S.-Russian Leadership on Nuclear Arms Reduction and Non-proliferation
January 25, 2010
The first order of U.S.-Russian business in 2010 is to conclude the follow-on agreement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expired last December. On January 25, the Arms Control Initiative at Brookings will host a discussion featuring Brookings President Strobe Talbott and Senior Fellows Steven Pifer and Clifford Gaddy to explore how the United States and Russia can work together to create a new agreement.
Russia, Nonproliferation, Nuclear Weapons, Arms Control
Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs
January 25, 2010
For many policymakers, counterinsurgency and counternarcotics policy are two sides of the same coin. However, eradication-focused counternarcotics campaigns typically fail to bankrupt belligerent groups and may even strengthen insurgents. On January 25, the 21st Century Defense Initiative hosted Vanda Felbab-Brown and Dr. Wendy Chamberlin for a discussion of Felbab-Brown’s new book Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs.
Counternarcotics Policy, Crime, Terrorism, Afghanistan, Latin America
The Supreme Court's Campaign Finance Ruling
Thomas E. Mann, January 22, 2010
In a significant 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court repealed federal laws and overturned previous rulings that limited the amount of money corporations can spend on political campaigns. This decision now allows firms to spend unlimited sums from their treasures to independently advocate for or against candidates. Thomas Mann calls this ruling an ambitious and radical decision.
Political Campaigns, Politics, U.S. Politics, U.S. Supreme Court
Completing a New Arms Control Agreement with Russia
Strobe Talbott, January 22, 2010
The United States and Russia are still at odds about a follow-on agreement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. This pact, a cornerstone of U.S.-Russian arms control negotiations, addresses reducing nuclear arsenals and combating proliferation of nuclear weapons. Strobe Talbott expects the new agreement to be completed soon and then go to the Senate for what is likely to be a contentious debate over ratification.
Nonproliferation, Nuclear Weapons, Arms Control, Russia
@ Brookings Podcast: Al Qaeda in Yemen
January 22, 2010
All eyes are on Yemen as the next site of the nation’s expanding counterterrorism efforts, but Riedel says we should proceed with caution: he explains why @Brookings.
Moblizing Donors After the Supreme Court's Campaign Finance Decision
Thomas E. Mann, January 22, 2010
The ruling creates an imperative for: mobilizing donors from the bottom up, encouraging small donations and enacting policy that offers multiple matches for such contributions, Thomas Mann says.
Political Campaigns, Politics, U.S. Politics, U.S. Supreme Court