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Last week’s designation of illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction marks a dramatic shift in U.S. drug policy.
Vanda Felbab-Brown examines the implications for domestic enforcement and international counternarcotics efforts.
Vanda Felbab-Brown examines the implications for domestic enforcement and international counternarcotics efforts.
Will designating fentanyl as a WMD misfire? | Brookings
Some families of fentanyl victims may consider the WMD designation a welcome Christmas gift; others may see it as merely tough posturing.
brook.gs
December 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Last week’s designation of illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction marks a dramatic shift in U.S. drug policy.
Vanda Felbab-Brown examines the implications for domestic enforcement and international counternarcotics efforts.
Vanda Felbab-Brown examines the implications for domestic enforcement and international counternarcotics efforts.
Job growth in the DMV region has slowed—but what about consumer spending?
Tracy Hadden Loh and Glencora Haskins find mixed trends, including a sharp decline in local spending after the August National Guard deployment. Read their latest DMV Monitor update ⬇️
Tracy Hadden Loh and Glencora Haskins find mixed trends, including a sharp decline in local spending after the August National Guard deployment. Read their latest DMV Monitor update ⬇️
Consumer spending and visitor demand in the Washington, DC region are dropping | Brookings
Consumer spending is a major piece of the puzzle of economic activity comprising total productivity, and an important source of state government revenue.
brook.gs
December 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Job growth in the DMV region has slowed—but what about consumer spending?
Tracy Hadden Loh and Glencora Haskins find mixed trends, including a sharp decline in local spending after the August National Guard deployment. Read their latest DMV Monitor update ⬇️
Tracy Hadden Loh and Glencora Haskins find mixed trends, including a sharp decline in local spending after the August National Guard deployment. Read their latest DMV Monitor update ⬇️
In much of rural America, the postal route and the prescription supply chain are one and the same. New research shows how changes to USPS are impacting mail-order pharmacies and the reach of America's health system.
When slower mail becomes a health risk | Brookings
Elena Patel explains how on-going changes to U.S. Postal Service operations could put access to essential mail-order prescriptions at risk.
brook.gs
December 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In much of rural America, the postal route and the prescription supply chain are one and the same. New research shows how changes to USPS are impacting mail-order pharmacies and the reach of America's health system.
For The Current, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear discusses the “biggest threat to rural health care in my lifetime,”—the challenges facing rural health systems and how they shape economic opportunity in America's rural communities.
Gov. Andy Beshear: How health care powers rural economies | Brookings
Senior Fellow Tony Pipa sits down with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to discuss what the governor calls the "biggest threat to rural healthcare in my lifetime." In this episode of The Current, Govern...
brook.gs
December 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
For The Current, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear discusses the “biggest threat to rural health care in my lifetime,”—the challenges facing rural health systems and how they shape economic opportunity in America's rural communities.
"There is a reason why conservative parties in virtually every other advanced democracy have accepted a substantial government role in ensuring universal health insurance coverage: There is no alternative," writes E.J. Dionne.
Obamacare’s popularity is the Republicans’ problem | Brookings
From early backlash to broad public support, the ACA’s benefits turned it into a political third rail for Republicans.
brook.gs
December 19, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"There is a reason why conservative parties in virtually every other advanced democracy have accepted a substantial government role in ensuring universal health insurance coverage: There is no alternative," writes E.J. Dionne.
A proposed data center in Tucker County, WV has sparked debate: Can tech investment coexist with a creative economy and natural beauty?
Host Tony Pipa explores how local voices are shaping the future of their community.
Host Tony Pipa explores how local voices are shaping the future of their community.
Will a data center be good for Thomas and Davis in Tucker County, West Virginia? | Brookings
When a permit application for a proposed power plant heralded the possibility of a large data center being located near the towns of Davis and Thomas in West Virginia, local leaders and residents were...
brook.gs
December 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
A proposed data center in Tucker County, WV has sparked debate: Can tech investment coexist with a creative economy and natural beauty?
Host Tony Pipa explores how local voices are shaping the future of their community.
Host Tony Pipa explores how local voices are shaping the future of their community.
"Because there is no precise definition of 'public interest,' the FCC has broad discretion that ultimately comes down to the decision of one person: its chairman, Brendan Carr," Tom Wheeler wrote in September.
Beyond Kimmel, the FCC controversy exposes a larger struggle over free speech | Brookings
Tom Wheeler outlines FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s recent actions and warns of how they could extend authoritarian control.
www.brookings.edu
December 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"Because there is no precise definition of 'public interest,' the FCC has broad discretion that ultimately comes down to the decision of one person: its chairman, Brendan Carr," Tom Wheeler wrote in September.
Reposted by Brookings Institution
In a short video, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen explain why maintaining the independence of the Fed is so important to U.S. prosperity. Via @brookings.edu
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeIA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeIA...
The Independence of the Federal Reserve: Why It Matters
YouTube video by Brookings Institution
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:10 PM
In a short video, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen explain why maintaining the independence of the Fed is so important to U.S. prosperity. Via @brookings.edu
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeIA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeIA...
Strategic imagination in U.S. foreign policy has faded amid global tensions. Michael O’Hanlon proposes a four-part agenda to address territorial disputes, tech risks, transnational threats, and poverty.
A vision and policy agenda for a safer world | Brookings
Sketching out a grand vision is easy; making it actionable is harder. This paper therefore proposes several tangible steps.
brook.gs
December 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Strategic imagination in U.S. foreign policy has faded amid global tensions. Michael O’Hanlon proposes a four-part agenda to address territorial disputes, tech risks, transnational threats, and poverty.
The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy moves away from great-power competition with China and Russia, prioritizing the Western Hemisphere, immigration, and trade.
Experts examine the implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Experts examine the implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Breaking down Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy | Brookings
Brookings experts break down what to take away from the Trump administration's 2025 National Security Strategy.
brook.gs
December 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy moves away from great-power competition with China and Russia, prioritizing the Western Hemisphere, immigration, and trade.
Experts examine the implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Experts examine the implications for U.S. foreign policy.
The older a student was in the first year of COVID-related school disruptions, the steeper the decline in proficiency—particularly for math. Explore new interactive data from Lauren Bauer and Eileen Powell.
Learning curves: Post-COVID learning trajectories differ by the grade a student was in when the pandemic hit | Brookings
Lauren Bauer and Eileen Powell assess whether the effect of COVID-related disruptions differed depending on the grade a student was in during the 2019–20 school year.
brook.gs
December 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The older a student was in the first year of COVID-related school disruptions, the steeper the decline in proficiency—particularly for math. Explore new interactive data from Lauren Bauer and Eileen Powell.
Reposted by Brookings Institution
We're hosting a @brookings.edu event on Russia sanctions and lessons to be learned next week on Tuesday, December 16, from 10:15 am to noon. Speakers include @whitehouse.senate.gov, @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social, 4 ambassadors from Europe and @econharris.bsky.social.
www.brookings.edu/events/asses...
www.brookings.edu/events/asses...
Assessing the impact of Western sanctions on Russia | Brookings
www.brookings.edu
December 11, 2025 at 9:29 PM
We're hosting a @brookings.edu event on Russia sanctions and lessons to be learned next week on Tuesday, December 16, from 10:15 am to noon. Speakers include @whitehouse.senate.gov, @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social, 4 ambassadors from Europe and @econharris.bsky.social.
www.brookings.edu/events/asses...
www.brookings.edu/events/asses...
Reposted by Brookings Institution
Does it matter at what age a child experienced the COVID shock for subsequent learning?
Eileen Powell and I have taken a first stab by looking at math and English proficiency by grade cohorts. The answer: yep.
www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...
Eileen Powell and I have taken a first stab by looking at math and English proficiency by grade cohorts. The answer: yep.
www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...
December 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Does it matter at what age a child experienced the COVID shock for subsequent learning?
Eileen Powell and I have taken a first stab by looking at math and English proficiency by grade cohorts. The answer: yep.
www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...
Eileen Powell and I have taken a first stab by looking at math and English proficiency by grade cohorts. The answer: yep.
www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...
Australia just became the first country to ban social media for children under 16. Nicol Turner Lee and co-authors unpack how social media bans may affect children and offer guidance for policymakers.
How will bans on social media affect children? | Brookings
Lawmakers around the world are considering banning social media for children, but it's unclear if this will solve the problems at hand.
brook.gs
December 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Australia just became the first country to ban social media for children under 16. Nicol Turner Lee and co-authors unpack how social media bans may affect children and offer guidance for policymakers.
1/3 of the American middle class cannot afford the cost of basic necessities as of 2023, a new report by Andre Perry reveals.
Perry unpacks the data and offers policy solutions at both the local and national level.
Perry unpacks the data and offers policy solutions at both the local and national level.
In every corner of the country, the middle class struggles with affordability | Brookings
This report also examines the state of affordability for middle-class families across racial groups, finding that affordability across the country is often further out of reach for families of color.
brook.gs
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
1/3 of the American middle class cannot afford the cost of basic necessities as of 2023, a new report by Andre Perry reveals.
Perry unpacks the data and offers policy solutions at both the local and national level.
Perry unpacks the data and offers policy solutions at both the local and national level.
Reposted by Brookings Institution
Call for papers: The annual Municipal Finance Conference @brookings.edu (July 2026) . Looking for papers on the muni bond market and state and local fiscal and economic policy issues. www.brookings.edu/centers/the-...
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Call for papers: The annual Municipal Finance Conference @brookings.edu (July 2026) . Looking for papers on the muni bond market and state and local fiscal and economic policy issues. www.brookings.edu/centers/the-...
Reposted by Brookings Institution
What to make of Trump's 2025 National Security Strategy? My colleagues and I weigh in: www.brookings.edu/articles/bre...
@brookings.edu #NSS2025
@brookings.edu #NSS2025
Breaking down Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy | Brookings
Brookings experts break down what to take away from the Trump administration's 2025 National Security Strategy.
www.brookings.edu
December 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
What to make of Trump's 2025 National Security Strategy? My colleagues and I weigh in: www.brookings.edu/articles/bre...
@brookings.edu #NSS2025
@brookings.edu #NSS2025
Negotiation efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have, thus far, been unsuccessful.
Fiona Hill and Thomas Wright joined The Current to discuss Putin’s negotiation tactics, battlefield realities, and Ukraine’s path forward.
Fiona Hill and Thomas Wright joined The Current to discuss Putin’s negotiation tactics, battlefield realities, and Ukraine’s path forward.
Behind the negotiating table to end the Russia-Ukraine war | Brookings
A recent flurry of negotiations among American, Russian, Ukrainian, and European officials to find a diplomatic solution to end the Russia-Ukraine war has, so far, been unsuccessful. To discuss Putin’...
brook.gs
December 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Negotiation efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have, thus far, been unsuccessful.
Fiona Hill and Thomas Wright joined The Current to discuss Putin’s negotiation tactics, battlefield realities, and Ukraine’s path forward.
Fiona Hill and Thomas Wright joined The Current to discuss Putin’s negotiation tactics, battlefield realities, and Ukraine’s path forward.
How is AI changing the way the Department of Defense operates? A new case study examines how the DoD deploys AI and the broader implications for U.S. security and technology policy.
GAMECHANGER: A case study of AI innovation at the Department of Defense | Brookings
While attention has largely focused on AI’s role in warfighting systems, the Pentagon’s vast business operations are equally critical.
brook.gs
December 8, 2025 at 3:27 PM
How is AI changing the way the Department of Defense operates? A new case study examines how the DoD deploys AI and the broader implications for U.S. security and technology policy.
AI tools are now part of everyday life—57% of respondents in a new survey use AI for personal purposes, and 40% report increased use over the past year.
Brookings’ analysis offers insights into which groups use AI most, the tasks they rely on it for, and the concerns shaping public attitudes.
Brookings’ analysis offers insights into which groups use AI most, the tasks they rely on it for, and the concerns shaping public attitudes.
How are Americans using AI? Evidence from a nationwide survey | Brookings
Brookings scholars Alikhani, Harris, and Patnaik break down the latest evidence on how Americans use AI, both personally and at work
brook.gs
December 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
AI tools are now part of everyday life—57% of respondents in a new survey use AI for personal purposes, and 40% report increased use over the past year.
Brookings’ analysis offers insights into which groups use AI most, the tasks they rely on it for, and the concerns shaping public attitudes.
Brookings’ analysis offers insights into which groups use AI most, the tasks they rely on it for, and the concerns shaping public attitudes.
Policymakers increasingly classify economic activities as “national security,” but broad definitions risk ineffective policy.
A new framework by Michael O’Hanlon, Marta Wosińska, Mark Muro, and Thomas Wright identifies supply chains most critical—and vulnerable—across 16 sectors.
A new framework by Michael O’Hanlon, Marta Wosińska, Mark Muro, and Thomas Wright identifies supply chains most critical—and vulnerable—across 16 sectors.
Building greater resilience and capacity in the US national security industrial base | Brookings
Securing U.S. supply chains for national security requires not only clear criteria for what we protect but also disciplined choices about how to do so.
brook.gs
December 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Policymakers increasingly classify economic activities as “national security,” but broad definitions risk ineffective policy.
A new framework by Michael O’Hanlon, Marta Wosińska, Mark Muro, and Thomas Wright identifies supply chains most critical—and vulnerable—across 16 sectors.
A new framework by Michael O’Hanlon, Marta Wosińska, Mark Muro, and Thomas Wright identifies supply chains most critical—and vulnerable—across 16 sectors.
COVID-19 revealed a vulnerability in pediatric health care: reliance on family routines. A new report by Elena Patel highlights why pediatric care systems must be designed for resilience and offers practical solutions for the future.
The fragile routines of pediatric health care: Lessons from asthma during COVID-19 | Brookings
New research examines the effect of COVID-19 on children with asthma and the decline in their medication adherence.
brook.gs
December 3, 2025 at 3:56 PM
COVID-19 revealed a vulnerability in pediatric health care: reliance on family routines. A new report by Elena Patel highlights why pediatric care systems must be designed for resilience and offers practical solutions for the future.
Some states are offering grants and loans to help homeowners strengthen roofs and make homes more resilient to extreme weather. Chase Perry and David Wessel explain why—and explore examples of this support from states across the country.
What incentives are states offering to make houses less vulnerable to extreme weather damage? | Brookings
Increasingly frequent and severe weather events and rising costs of home insurance have led states to offer funds to make homes more resilient.
brook.gs
December 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Some states are offering grants and loans to help homeowners strengthen roofs and make homes more resilient to extreme weather. Chase Perry and David Wessel explain why—and explore examples of this support from states across the country.
How do supply-side disruptions shape inflation? A new report by Wendy Edelberg provides a systematic framework for understanding these supply shocks and their economic impact.
Explore the taxonomy and key findings 👇
Explore the taxonomy and key findings 👇
A taxonomy of supply shocks and their effects on inflation | Brookings
brook.gs
December 1, 2025 at 3:54 PM
How do supply-side disruptions shape inflation? A new report by Wendy Edelberg provides a systematic framework for understanding these supply shocks and their economic impact.
Explore the taxonomy and key findings 👇
Explore the taxonomy and key findings 👇
AI is accelerating workplace change, but which jobs will feel the biggest impact?
On the latest episode of the Brookings Podcast on Economic Activity, experts discuss their findings and the policy implications of AI's growing impact.
On the latest episode of the Brookings Podcast on Economic Activity, experts discuss their findings and the policy implications of AI's growing impact.
What jobs will be most affected by AI? | Brookings
Throughout history, human work has been augmented by technology. But the emergence of artificial intelligence tools have led many to ask whether an unprecedented shift in how we work with technology i...
brook.gs
November 28, 2025 at 4:32 PM
AI is accelerating workplace change, but which jobs will feel the biggest impact?
On the latest episode of the Brookings Podcast on Economic Activity, experts discuss their findings and the policy implications of AI's growing impact.
On the latest episode of the Brookings Podcast on Economic Activity, experts discuss their findings and the policy implications of AI's growing impact.