A novel take on why fertility rates are falling from the recent Brookings Papers on Economic Activity conference. My podcast interview with the authors. @brookings.edu www.brookings.edu/articles/are...

Syria is rebuilding under a new regime after 14 years of civil war. For The Current, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş and Mara Karlin discuss the country’s transformation, the challenges ahead, and what it means for U.S. policy.

The GENIUS Act sets a U.S. regulatory framework for stablecoins—but its impact will depend on how it's implemented. Nellie Liang outlines four key issues regulators must address, from capital standards to illicit finance risks.

How can domestic resource mobilization and climate adaptation finance advance gender equality? A new Brookings compendium explores innovations in public finance—from care investments to fiscal rule reform—designed to embed equity in economic policy.

The government shutdown revealed a major flaw in how the U.S. funds Native American Tribes. @robmaxim.bsky.social and co-authors outline why reform is needed—and what Congress can do to ensure stability.

This week, Brookings welcomed European Parliament President Roberta Metsola for a timely dialogue on responsible AI. From the EU AI Act to transatlantic policy, the conversation explored how innovation can uphold democracy and protect rights.

Happening now: Watch our discussion with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, moderated by @theatlantic.com writer Vivian Salama.

📅 Join @hamiltonproject.org today at 12:30p ET for a discussion on how recent policy changes could weaken SNAP’s role as an economic stabilizer during recessions, featuring Senator @amyklobuchar.com.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act offers new child savings accounts and modest tax credit increases—but also cuts key safety net programs. Joshua Gotbaum explains why the law may harm as many families with children as it helps.

As President Trump heads to the APEC summit, decisions on the U.S.–South Korea alliance will shape broader Indo-Pacific strategy. Andrew Yeo examines Seoul’s evolving role amid tensions with China and North Korea.

The U.S. faces a defining moment in foreign policy. Join Brookings on Oct. 29 for the 2025 Knight Forum on Geopolitics, featuring Rep. Adam Smith, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, and expert panels on global security and defense strategy.

Is China helping stabilize the North Korea nuclear challenge—or complicating it? Five experts explore diverging U.S.-China diplomatic strategies, Pyongyang’s growing ties with Russia, and Washington’s ability to influence Beijing’s approach.

President Trump’s upcoming trip to Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea—culminating in the APEC summit—comes at a critical moment for U.S. engagement in Asia. Brookings experts break down what’s at stake 👇

My latest for @brookings.edu‬⁩, w/ the prolific Jesse Humpal‬⁩, making the case for a defense strategy based on resilience. America’s adversaries are already waging war across the spectrum of conflict. We need total defense for an age of total war www.brookings.edu/articles/why...

Now posted: Video and slides from today's Hutchins Center @brookings.edu event on the geopolitical forces leading to potential fragmentation of the global financial system. #GenevaReport. www.brookings.edu/events/are-g...

Is the D.C. region’s economy stalling? For The Current, Tracy Hadden Loh and Glencora Haskins break down the latest DMV Monitor data on jobs, housing, and business trends across the region 📊

"If the multilateral order unravels, everyone will end up worse off, not least the United States." As the World Bank and IMF hold their annual meetings, Brahima Sangafowa Coulibaly and Zia Qureshi argue the U.S. must lead in reshaping the multilateral system.

Join Brookings for “The American AI stack and the world” on Oct. 21—a full-day event on U.S. AI strategy, sovereign AI, and global governance. Experts from Brookings, industry, and government will explore how the U.S. can lead in innovation and diplomacy.

📉 Can the U.S. avoid a fiscal crisis? Join the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center on Oct. 20 for expert insights on long-term budget challenges and emergency fiscal strategies.

Hope is a powerful but often overlooked dimension of well-being. Carol Graham and Redzo Mujcic report on 14 years of data to explore how hope shapes life outcomes—from health to employment.

Senate Republicans recently changed chamber rules to allow batch confirmations of executive nominees by simple majority vote. What does this mean for presidential staffing? Chris Piper and Kathryn Dunn Tenpas analyze the implications.

Brookings foreign policy scholars reflect on the Israel-Gaza agreement and what it means for the broader Middle Eastern region.

"Supporting the reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy sector is not only a humanitarian issue but also a struggle to maintain a Western-based order of rule of law, trade, and technological cooperation, rather than an Eastern-based order of military power," write Maciej Zaniewicz and Danylo Moiseienko.

What happens if $0 Marketplace premiums end? Matthew Fielder warns that requiring all enrollees to pay a minimum premium could save the federal government ~$3B, but might reduce coverage for 430,000 people—mostly due to administrative barriers.

The latest @brookings.edu @financialtimes.com's Tracking Indexes for the Global Economic Recovery shows an economic landscape that seems benign in some ways, but unsettled in others, Eswar Prasad and Caroline Smiltneks write. bit.ly/4qa9ycc

Our latest paper in @jamanetworkopen.com where we asked: Following the #COVID pandemic, has SARSCoV2 circulation been associated with health-related absences from work and labor force exits? @yaleemd.bsky.social @princetonecon.bsky.social @brookings.edu 1/ jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Are geopolitics leading to fragmentation of the international financial system? Launching this year's Geneva Report @brookings.edu Hutchins Center. In-person (registration required) & livestreamed. Oct 20 10 AM EDT www.brookings.edu/events/are-g...

The Oct. 1 government shutdown raises new questions about congressional dysfunction and future governance. Elaine Kamarck and Molly Reynolds unpack the implications in a new episode of The Current 🎧

Should student loan borrowers with small balances wait 30 years for forgiveness? Sarah Reber explores how shortening the forgiveness timeline for low-balance borrowers could provide meaningful relief and support college access.

Excited to share my latest @newsweek.com piece, this time with the great ⁦‪Jesse Humpal‬⁩. We outline the threat to America’s telecoms and suggest ways to harden our infrastructure | The War for America’s Networks ⁦ www.newsweek.com/the-war-for-...

The Fed’s COVID-era quantitative easing (QE)—specifically its purchase of mortgage-backed securities—was a major driver of housing inflation. Aaron Klein explains why and calls for future QE policy to account for its inflationary impact.

"There should be concerns about how the new company, whose investors appear to be handpicked by President Trump, will handle user data, maintain consumer privacy, protect free speech, and place limits on government surveillance of social media activities," Nicol Turner Lee writes about TikTok.

SNAP supports both families and the economy during recessions. But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s SNAP cuts will make the program substantially and detrimentally less responsive to economic downturns, @laurenhlb.bsky.social and Diane Schanzenbach warn.

The Trump administration has expanded tariffs to include lumber, cabinets, and pharmaceuticals. A newly updated tracker by Joshua Meltzer and Dozie Ezi-Ashi highlights changes in U.S. trade-weighted tariffs and a timeline of key developments.

It's tough to keep track of what Trump is doing. We've collected some of the outfits tracking Trump’s actions on tariffs, the environment, immigration, and more www.brookings.edu/articles/tra... via Chase Perry @brookings.edu Hutchins Center

📈 Tariffs are impacting America’s housing crisis. Elena Patel, Robert McClelland, and John Wong estimate that recent trade policies could add $30B to residential construction costs, with 90% affecting new homes and apartments.

Universal school choice programs are expanding—but who benefits most? Analisa Pines, Jon Valant, and Nicolas Zerbino examine six states and find that without income-based restrictions, these programs disproportionately benefit wealthy families.

October is Head Start Awareness Month. In this #FigureFriday paper, @laurenhlb.bsky.social and Diane Schanzenbach explore Head Start’s impact on both its participants and their children: www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...

China is adapting to U.S. tariffs by shifting trade through Mexico and Canada. Joshua Meltzer and Maricarmen Barron Esper outline how transshipment, supply chain integration, and foreign investment are reshaping trade flows—and why trilateral cooperation is needed.

"Despite fears of an imminent AI jobs apocalypse, the overall labor market shows more continuity than immediate collapse." A new report by Molly Kinder and @budgetlab.bsky.social analyzes changes in America's occupational mix to explore the potential effects of AI on the labor market.

What does “public interest” mean in today’s media landscape? In a new episode of The Current, former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler joins to discuss media consolidation, free speech, and the FCC’s evolving role.

Is the credibility of U.S. government data under threat? In a new episode of The Current, Ben Harris explains why reliable federal statistics—like unemployment and inflation—are essential for a well-functioning economy.

New research in the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity finds climate change is already imposing financial burdens on U.S. households—especially in low-income communities. Estimated annual costs range from $220 to over $1,000 per household.

Is the U.S. military losing its edge? Michael O’Hanlon examines claims about a decline in the military’s fighting spirit, finding that, while challenges exist, the strength and excellence of the armed forces remain intact.

"Rising tariffs and the United States’ retreat from international trade may threaten the dollar’s status as the world’s safe haven and anchor currency," warns a new Brookings Papers on Economic Activity analysis.

A new Brookings Papers on Economic Activity study examines how social comparisons and intensive parenting may be fueling an “educational arms race”—raising the cost of childrearing and contributing to declining fertility rates worldwide ⬇️

Updated: What is a government shutdown? www.brookings.edu/articles/wha... From the Hutchins Center Explains series @brookings.edu

Federal downsizing is triggering economic shifts in the DC region. Brookings' new DMV Monitor highlights rising unemployment, slowing venture capital, and surging housing inventory. Read the analysis and explore the tracker 👇

President Trump announced a 100% tariff on branded or patented drugs starting October 1 – unless the drugmaker is building a manufacturing plant in the U.S. Read Marta Wosińska's explainer from earlier this year to understand the impact this could have on prices and onshoring.

Why do muni transit systems pay so much for buses? And what can be done about it? Via @brookings.edu and AEI Ed Glaeser & Samantha Silverberg www.bloomberg.com/news/article...