Brookings Today, 11/21/14

A roundup of some of the content published today by Brookings.

• Content about Obama’s executive action on immigration reform:
  • Thomas Mann says the immigration order is not a power grab.
  • John Hudak writes that the Republican party’s reaction will serve as a true test of the GOP’s internal strife on a number of issues.
  • Audrey Singer argues that while the act gives hope to millions, much more is needed.
  • Nicole Prchal Svajlenka, Jill Wilson, and Audrey Singer explain how cities, counties, and states across America can prepare for temporary work permit and deferred deportation applications from immigrants.
• Our dysfunctional politics and the road to 2016. In the latest Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Thomas Mann talks about the U.S. political system, its dysfunction, solutions, and what he will watch for in the 2016 presidential contest.
• Affordable Care Act gives people market-driven health care. As the ACA moves into its second enrollment period, Alice Rivlin discusses how shopping for health insurance can be confusing but is a function how markets work.
• Is it time for a U.S.-Iraqi alliance? Michael O’Hanlon writes on the importance of a treaty-based alliance between Washington and Baghdad. He explains how it will not only help prevent foreign threats to Iraq but to also help confront ISIS.
• The risk pivot. Bruce Jones and David Steven are authors of a new volume about America’s choice to use energy as a stick, or to foster a more stable international system.
• Highlights of Cuba’s foreign investments. In a detailed look at the Portfolio of Opportunities for Foreign Investment recently released by the Cuban government, Richard Feinberg highlights the competing development visions of Cuba’s economic planners.
• How student loan repayments can hurt some recent graduates. In a new interactive feature and analysis, The Hamilton Project explores how the current student loan repayment system can create a heavy burden for recent graduates in some majors by requiring payments in the beginning of their careers when their earnings are low.

Charmaine Crutchfield contributed to this post.