"We hold these truths to be self-evident"—but what did those words actually mean in 1776, and for whom? Kathryn Dunn Tenpas and Vanessa Williamson open Season 3 of Democracy in Question by tracing the radical promise of the Declaration.

As regions like Northern Virginia attract energy-intensive data centers, residents are increasingly feeling the impact through higher electricity bills. Charles Lane and Joseph W. Kane examine what policymakers and local leaders can do to protect ratepayers.

Introducing The Beijing Brief—a new podcast that goes behind the scenes in Washington and Beijing to unpack U.S.-China relations and China's political, economic, and technological ambitions. New episodes coming soon 🎙️ Learn more and subscribe: https://brook.gs/4bvsnRH

Glencora Haskins and Joseph Parilla find that from 2014–2024, U.S. economic growth was strongest where immigrant workforce shares rose—benefiting both foreign- and native-born workers. The new Metro Monitor tracks 15 indicators across 196 metro areas, focusing on immigration and regional prosperity.

20% of the world's oil supply moves through the Strait of Hormuz. With the Strait now effectively closed, Samantha Gross, Caitlin Talmadge, and Melanie W. Sisson break down the economic and security implications and what it would take to restore market confidence.

Black-owned employer businesses surpassed 200,000 for the first time in 2023—up 62% since 2017. But growth is slowing and unevenly distributed across cities and industries. New research from Andre Perry and Hannah Stephens examines what policy can do to sustain the momentum.

The Trump-Takaichi meet today has been taken over by a series of late-breaking shocks: www.brookings.edu/articles/lat...

Tomorrow at 1:30p EDT: Join us for a discussion on how changes to the federal student loan program under OBBBA will affect borrowers, their families, and institutions of higher education—featuring @repbonamici.bsky.social and Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent.

The IRS has lost 27% of its staff and gone through 7 commissioners in the past year. Vanessa Williamson and Ellis Chen break down what this means for taxpayers this filing season—and why the long-term risks go well beyond delayed refunds.

USPS has hit its $15B borrowing limit and holds about one month of cash. Elena Patel walks through the structural mismatch between the universal service mandate and how it's financed—and what Congress could do about it.

Two weeks into the war with Iran, the regime has taken hits—but it's holding. No major defections, a new supreme leader, and an uncertain endgame for the Trump administration. For The Current podcast, Suzanne Maloney, Mara Karlin, and Aslı Aydıntaşbaş assess the state of the conflict.

As federal gridlock persists, states are diverging into two distinct governance models. From abortion to elections, Elaine Kamarck argues that the "laboratories of democracy" are becoming a partisan patchwork, offering a national safety valve, but at a high cost to unified rights.

Introducing Uprooted: Rediscovering American History—a new series reclaiming the stories of marginalized communities being erased from our national narrative. The first cycle, focused on migration and immigration, launches end of March. Read the introduction and sign up for updates ⏬

How will AI reshape U.S. national security, workers, and infrastructure? Join us Wednesday at 11a ET for a fireside chat with Senator Mark Kelly, followed by an expert panel on AI in military and defense applications. Attend online or in person 👇

This International Women's Day, Brookings Echidna Global Scholars reflect on what it takes to move from policy commitments to lived equality—and why that requires redesigning systems, not just enduring them.

New research from Annelies Goger finds that, despite support for expanding apprenticeships in the U.S., core obstacles remain. "To scale participation, policymakers need to make structural changes—lowering the barriers without sacrificing rigor and quality," she writes.

“It is crucial for the United States to begin charting a course for the day after the fighting ends by seeking reasonable interlocutors,” writes @suzannemaloney.bsky.social. “So far, however, there is no evidence of any serious planning by the Trump administration for what comes next.”

Could Texas flip the Senate? After Talarico's primary win and Cornyn's near-upset, Bill Galston breaks down why the Lone Star State's May GOP runoff may help decide who controls the Senate in 2027.

What's next for the Iran war? For The Current, four Brookings experts discuss the evolving conflict and its implications for the country, the Middle East, and international security.

What is the endgame in Iran? Mara Karlin highlights 3 things to watch for in the coming days. 👇

2026’s joint review of the USMCA will shape the future of North American trade and competitiveness. The USMCA Forward 2026 report brings together expert analysis on what is working in the agreement—and where reforms are needed across key sectors and labor.

What happens next in Iran? Experts across Brookings explain what the U.S. and Israel joint military operation and resulting missile attacks in the region mean for Iran's future and international/domestic security.

Jeffrey Feltman reflects on being one of the few Americans ever to meet Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—offering insights into how Khamenei viewed Iran’s place in the world.

In January on the Current podcast, @asliaydintasbas.bsky.social asked Iran expert Suzanne Maloney what would happen if Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei died in a U.S. bombing campaign. Watch part of their discussion 👇

Season 5 of the Foresight Africa podcast launched this week 🎉 Hosted by Landry Signé, this season goes beyond the headlines to unpack the forces shaping U.S.-Africa relations—from critical minerals to energy security, trade, and emerging technologies. Listen to the first episode 🎧

On Tuesday, tune in to a discussion with Brookings foreign policy experts on the strikes on Iran and implications for international security. Register at the link below to get a reminder.

What were the big takeaways from this year’s Munich Security Conference? For The Current, Constanze Stelzenmüller talks with Aslı Aydıntaşbaş about the issues dominating conversations among global leaders and what they signal for today’s geopolitical landscape.

My @brookings.edu blog on whether US reserve currency status is eroding. There’s no sign the recent fall in the Dollar is accompanied by foreign reserve managers bailing on the greenback. There simply aren’t any viable alternatives and that sadly includes the Euro… www.brookings.edu/articles/is-...

While the Supreme Court's tariff decision reshapes a key tool of U.S. trade strategy, it does not end the tariff debate. Scholars across Brookings unpack the legal, economic, fiscal, and geopolitical implications of the decision.

“The 2026 State of the Union ended as it began: focused on the administration’s specific supporters and policies without a broader appeal to national unity around founding principles.”

Tomorrow, join Brookings and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Chicago’s 55th Mayor @rahmemanuel.bsky.social for a conversation on making pathways from school to good jobs clearer and more accessible for all learners and workers. Watch online or join in person 👇

Why has the U.S. economy remained stable despite unprecedented tariffs and policy changes by the Trump administration? Ben Harris offers four possible explanations for why economic predictions were wrong.

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense human and strategic costs. Eleven experts from across Brookings explore the war’s trajectory and what pathways to a durable peace may remain.

Ahead of President Trump's State of the Union address, E.J. Dionne sits down with Molly Reynolds, Wendy Edelberg, and Melanie Sisson to discuss their views on the governance, economic, and global security challenges that characterize the state of our Union today.

Following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, how will President Trump's trade strategy shift? Join Brookings tomorrow for an expert panel on the future of U.S. trade policy and what comes next. Register to watch online 👇

As data center projects expand, and community opposition grows, leaders are rethinking how they negotiate with tech firms. Daniel Goetzel, Mark Muro, and Shriya Methkupally offer a playbook to turn the data center boom into lasting local prosperity.

As demand for non‑degree credentials grows, which programs actually improve workers’ earnings? Drawing on 156M+ U.S. resumes, Marcela Escobari and Ian Seyal identify which credentials deliver real economic value—and how policymakers can direct funding to strengthen worker mobility.

A new Brookings–Gallup survey shows strong interracial connection in daily life: 80%+ say race isn’t important in choosing friends or business partners, and most have friends of another race. “People are not as committed to division as their feeds may suggest.”

Reduced immigration has played a major role in slowing U.S. population growth. William Frey examines how recent declines are reshaping demographic trends nationwide, with most states experiencing slower, or negative, growth.

As the war with Russia continues, Ukraine has increasingly looked to Europe for support. Brookings experts propose better-coordinated, legally stronger enforcement against Russia's "shadow fleet" and ways to increase pressure on Moscow’s main source of war funding—its energy revenues.

The upcoming expiration of Section 702 provides Congress with an opportunity to focus on surveillance reform more broadly, writes Stephanie Pell. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-key-intelligence-law-expires-in-april-and-the-path-for-reauthorization-is-unclear/

"The immigration provisions of the OBBBA raise an immediate question: How will the nation’s care economy survive if immigrants are restricted from providing caregiving work?"

Is the United States as divided as it seems? Join us on Feb 18 to hear the results of a new study with @gallup.com on the state of racial cooperation in America.

As data centers expand, concerns around jobs, privacy, security, and community impact fuel a growing "techlash." Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West outline how legally binding community benefit agreements can bring transparency to data‑center costs, risks, and local benefits.

"What we are witnessing is the culmination of decades of growing frustration and dissatisfaction." Anand Menon explains what's happening in UK politics.

Japan’s thunderbolt election: Takaichi resets politics, economics, and diplomacy www.brookings.edu/articles/jap...

Can an alliance divided against itself compete with China? Jon Czin on how U.S.–EU divisions, shifting U.S. priorities under Trump, and Beijing’s strategic pressure deepen Europe’s strategic isolation.

Did 'America First' tariffs work? For The Current, Kari Heerman joins David Wessel to discuss the economic impacts of Trump's tariff approach and the pursuit of foreign policy objectives through trade actions.

The rising popularity of online sports betting and prediction markets is jeopardizing economic development in Indian Country, where casino gaming has become central. Patrice H. Kunesh unpacks prediction markets’ impacts and ideas for strengthening Tribal economies.

As data centers expand to support the U.S. AI economy, concerns are growing around jobs, privacy, security, and community impact. Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West outline how legally binding community benefit agreements can bring transparency to data‑center costs, risks, and local benefits.