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21 Nov 2009 07:13

Saturday November 21, 2009

Vision for Victory in Afghanistan

On a recent weeklong visit to Afghanistan sponsored by the U.S. military, Michael O'Hanlon met with Afghan and U.S. officials whose assessments partially countered the current general outlook on the country's status and future. O'Hanlon's visit left him with guarded optimism about U.S. prospects for creating a safe and stable Afghanistan.

ASIAObama Shows Commitment to Asia

Michael Fullilove, November 20, 2009

IMMIGRATIONHow the Recession’s Affecting Immigration

Jill H. Wilson and Audrey Singer, November 19, 2009

@ Brookings Podcast

The Global Financial Crisis Affects Metropolitan Regions; Prospects for a "Double" Dip Recession

"Banks, investment banking firms, auto all too big to fail; cities and metro areas all too important to fail." – Michael Nutter, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia

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20 Nov 2009 13:23
Friday November 20, 2009

In Focus: U.S. Economy

Reuters/Andy Clark - Workers repair the rail line after a rock slide blocked the road and railroad.

Rethinking the Way on Infrastructure

Bruce Katz Robert Puentes, November 20, 2009

With rising concern about the nation’s anemic job numbers, infrastructure has emerged as a centerpiece of a number of proposed “jobs bills.” Bruce Katz and Robert Puentes point out that infrastructure is not necessarily a cure-all and outline the federal leadership and strategies necessary for successful investment in the way we move goods, people and power.

Infrastructure Labor Markets Unemployment

Upcoming Event: Arms Control

Reuters - A U.S. Air force B-52 bomber drops a load of M117 750lb, it can carry nuclear or conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.

U.S.-Russian Arms Control in the 1990s: Experiences and Lessons Learned

Tuesday, November 24, 20093:00 PM to 4:30 PMWashington, DC

The issue of strategic nuclear arms reductions now tops the U.S.-Russia agenda, particularly as the countries strive to conclude a new nuclear arms agreement to replace the Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty, which expires on December 5. On November 24, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings will host Ambassador Mamedov for a conversation on the experiences and lessons learned from U.S.-Russian arms control efforts in the 1990s.

Arms Control Russia

On a recent weeklong visit to Afghanistan sponsored by the U.S. military, Michael O'Hanlon met with Afghan and U.S. officials whose assessments partially countered the current general outlook of country's status and future. O'Hanlon's visit left him with guarded optimism about U.S. prospects for creating a safe and stable Afghanistan.

Robert E. Litan

The economy is showing some bright spots, but rising unemployment, weak consumer spending and the housing market continue to be concerns. Robert Litan examines the state of the economy and offers insights into job creation and entrepreneurship, the possibility of a “double dip” recession and higher capital requirements for lending institutions.

Up Front Blog

Read More and Comment

Increasingly generous tax subsidies for homeowners are doing little to help the housing market. The U.S. Census Bureau reported yesterday that housing starts for October were down 10.6 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 529,000. After rebounding from a historical low of 479,000 in April, starts have largely moved sideways and reflect a still-anemic housing market.

Global Food Crisis

China China on the World Stage: Climate Change, Regional Blocs and Resource Investment

November 30, 2009

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19 Nov 2009 19:15
Spotlight: Afghanistan

Reuters/Nikola Solic - A U.S. police instructor conducts a training session for Afghan policemen at a police station in the village of Baraki Rajan in Baraki Barak district.

Vision for Victory in Afghanistan - Part I

On a recent weeklong visit to Afghanistan sponsored by the U.S. military, Michael O'Hanlon met with Afghan and foreign officers and officials whose mood countered the overall dismal outlook and recent reports of violence there. O'Hanlon's visit left him with guarded optimism about our prospects for creating a safe and stable Afghanistan.

Terrorism, NATO

Department of Education Launches Race to the Top

The decision to prosecute alleged 9/11 master-mind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators in a civil trial in the Southern District of New York sparks debate on how to best try terrorism suspects. Benjamin Wittes offers his views on the significance of trying terror detainees in the U.S. civilian judicial system.

Up Front Blog

Should Government Policies Favor Owners Over Renters?

Ted Gayer, November 19, 2009

The housing market, thought to finally be stabilizing, took a surprising tumble with new-home starts dropping 10.6% in October from the previous month. Ted Gayer writes that those expecting the recently extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit to improve this situation are likely to be disappointed, and that the credit may be unintentionally weakening the rental market. Read More and Comment

How the Recession’s Affecting Immigration

Jill H. Wilson and Audrey Singer, November 19, 2009

With U.S. unemployment at a 26-year high Americans will be feeling the economic downturn for some time. Immigration experts are seeing global signs of the recession in major shifts in U.S. immigration trends, especially at the high and low ends of the skills spectrum. Here are the most significant changes.

Should Government Policies Favor Owners Over Renters?

Ted Gayer, November 19, 2009

Marriage and Family Formation Mama Says: A National Survey of Mothers’ Attitudes on Fathering

December 01, 2009

Q&A with Robert Litan

Evaluating the Economy and the Possibility of a "Double Dip" Recession

"Certainly we could have a double-dip because, so far (at least through the third quarter), we had good numbers but those numbers were goosed up by the 'cash-for-clunkers' program, the housing tax credit, the stimulus money that was in the pipeline, the Fed’s buying gobs of securities and so forth." - Robert Litan, senior fellow, Economic Studies
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18 Nov 2009 22:54
Thursday

Spotlight: Corruption

Reuters/Desmond Boylan - An Afghan man counts notes in a money exchange area in Kabul.

Corruption Index Today, Election Tomorrow, Aid Revamp the Day After?

Daniel Kaufmann, November 18, 2009

In reaction to news of brazen corruption in Afghanistan and the release of the new Corruption Perceptions Index, Daniel Kaufmann asks tough questions about the relationship between aid and corruption and suggests improvements in how development aid effectiveness is reviewed.

Corruption Foreign Aid Afghanistan Global Economics

Q&A Video

U. S. Department of Education Launches Race to the Top

Grover J. "Russ" Whitehurst

Through a new competitive grant program called Race to the Top, the U.S. Department of Education is awarding $4 billion of stimulus money to states that demonstrate a commitment to education reform and innovation. Russ Whitehurst says it is a promising program that could promote education reform and elevate the education of thousands of children. Watch More Videos

Q&A Video

Prosecuting Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in Federal Court

Benjamin Wittes, November 18, 2009

The decision to prosecute alleged 9/11 master-mind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators in a civil trial in the Southern District of New York yet again sparks debate on how to best try terrorism suspects. Senior Fellow Benjamin Wittes offers his views on the legal and political significance of trying Guantanamo terror detainees in the United States civilian judicial system. Watch More Videos

Online Chat

, November 18, 2009

What stands in the way of recovery? On November 18, Alan Berube and Politico Senior Editor David Mark answered questions about how the nation’s large metropolitan areas—including Washington, DC—have fared in the downturn. View Transcript and Comment

The Scouting Report Web Chat: Metro Areas and the Uneven Economic Recovery

Alan Berube, November 18, 2009

About 8 million jobs have been lost to this recession—the largest decline in percent terms since the Great Depression. We’re unlikely to see any robust gains in consumer spending any time soon and the housing market continues to be in a state of oversupply.

Corruption Index Today, Election Tomorrow, Aid Revamp the Day After?

Daniel Kaufmann, November 18, 2009

Developing Countries The Global Food Crisis: "The Silent Tsunami"

November 24, 2009

Arms Control U.S.-Russian Arms Control in the 1990s: Experiences and Lessons Learned

November 24, 2009

U.S. MILITARYVideo Game Veterans and the New American Politics

Peter W. Singer, November 17, 2009

Mwangi S. Kimenyi

Mwangi S. Kimenyi is a senior fellow with the Africa Growth Initiative. He focuses on Africa's development, including institutions for economic growth, the political economy, and private sector development.
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18 Nov 2009 05:48

Wednesday November 18, 2009

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17 Nov 2009 13:32
A Recessionary Mirror Across the Pond

Alan Berube, November 17, 2009

Having spent a good deal of our time examining the path of the downturn and recovery within America’s own metropolitan areas, it’s great to see other organizations doing the same--and doing it with cool technology. In that vein, be sure to check out City Tracker, a new website from the U.K.’s Centre for Cities, which provides interactive maps, tables, and charts showing how that country’s major urban areas (more akin to our wider metropolitan areas than our central cities) have performed economically over the last 20 months.

REGIONS AND STATESLocal Governments to Face Large-Scale Cuts

Mark Muro, November 16, 2009

PENSIONSThe Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's $22 Billion Deficit

Douglas J. Elliott
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16 Nov 2009 21:57
Tuesday November 17, 2009

SPOTLIGHT: Afghanistan

Reuters/Morteza Nikoubazl - A member of the Afghan special police force monitors an area in Herat.

Police Reform a Reason for Hope in Afghanistan

Michael E. O'Hanlon, November 16, 2009

Lost in the ongoing Afghanistan debate is a promising effort to foster reform in building the Afghan police force, writes Michael O'Hanlon. Just back from a trip to the country, O'Hanlon notes several areas in which new efforts are encouraging and draws on lessons learned from reforms that occurred coincident with the 2007 surge in Iraq.

Afghanistan U.S. Military Corruption

Past Event

The U.S.-Israel Partnership: Can New Governments Overcome Old Challenges?

Saturday, November 14, 2009
to
Monday, November 16, 2009

On November 14-16, 2009, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings brought together top Israeli and American policymakers, journalists, and members of the public and private sectors to Jerusalem for discussions on the most critical issues in the Middle East. Read More

, Grace Gu, November 11, 2009

Innovation’s Conference Committee Hurdle

Mark Muro and Andrew Reamer, November 16, 2009

America continues to grope toward the development of an effective innovation strategy as paert of a credible push toward economic reinvention. Notably, in September President Obama--through a solid white paper and a good Troy, N.Y. speech--articulated a bona fide plan for catalyzing the development and commercialization of mold-breaking new products and processes essential to staving off further economic decline.

Read More
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16 Nov 2009 06:39

Monday November 16, 2009

Despite the economy’s expansion in the last quarter, many American workers still lack jobs, the confidence to spend or a home to call their own. A team of Brookings experts began tracking data early this year to assess various dimensions of national and international well-being. The second quarterly "How We’re Doing" index looks at forces that stand in the way of a strong rebound and asks, "where are we going?"

President Barack Obama's maiden trip to China has been his first face-to-face opportunity to shape U.S.-China relations. Cheng Li and Jordan Lee examine new openings for President Obama to press Beijing on harder questions and the fine line he will have to walk between respect for China and pulling all his punches, while reflecting candidly on American ideals.

While the economic entanglements between the U.S. and China have increased over the last decade, so has the tension. With President Obama visiting China, Brookings expert Eswar Prasad and Grace Gu of Cornell University discuss the tightening embrace between the two countries—in terms of flows of goods and services, financial capital and people—and the implications.

As part of a multi-nation Asia trip that began last week, President Obama, now in China, met with Chinese Premier Hu Jintao to foster greater understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and China. Kenneth Lieberthal discusses the importance of the meeting between the two leaders.

"Economic issues will be one of the main trust issues that President Obama and President Hu Jintao will be discussing" - Kenneth Lieberthal, director, John L. Thornton China Center

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15 Nov 2009 15:30

President Obama in China

President Barack Obama's maiden trip to China is now underway with a stop in Shanghai before traveling on to Beijing and a meeting with Chinese leader Hu Jintao. Cheng Li and Jordan Lee examine new openings for President Obama to press Beijing on harder questions and the fine line he will have to walk between respect for China and pulling all his punches, while reflecting candidly on American ideals.

As part of a multi-nation Asia trip that began last week, President Obama, now in China, will meet with Chinese Premier Hu Jintao to foster greater understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and China. Kenneth Lieberthal discusses the importance of the meeting between the two leaders.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's climate change bill ignores the demand side of the equation which focuses on changing the built environment—the nations’ buildings and transportation systems, says Christopher Leinberger. He calls for policy that promotes demand mitigation measures so more Americans will use less energy and emit less greenhouse gases where they live, work and recreate.

Upcoming Event

Fiscal Challenges Facing Cities: Implications for Economic Recovery

Thursday, November 19, 2009
9:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Washington, DC

The current economic crisis is not only a national crisis; it is also a metropolitan crisis. And soon the downturn will bring a local government fiscal crisis. On November 19, the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and the National League of Cities will co-host a forum on city fiscal conditions, the responses being undertaken by creative mayors, and the implications for national economic recovery.

CLIMATE AND ENERGY ECONOMICSThe Global Recession and Climate Change

Warwick J. McKibbin, November 13, 2009

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14 Nov 2009 23:42
Sunday November 15, 2009

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SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Economy

Reuters/Fred Prouser - People search for jobs on computers at the Verdugo Jobs Center, a partnership with the California Employment Development Department, in Glendale, California.

How We're Doing: What's Blocking the Recovery

Karen Dynan, Ted Gayer and Alan Berube, November 15, 2009

Despite the economy’s expansion last quarter, many American workers still lack jobs, the confidence to spend or a home to call their own. A team of Brookings experts began tracking data early this year to assess various dimensions of national and international well-being. The second quarterly "How We’re Doing" index looks at forces that stand in the way of a strong rebound and asks, "where are we going?"

U.S. Economy, U.S. Economic Growth, Mortgage Market, Cities

Last week the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed their climate change bill. However, the bill ignores the demand side of the equation which focuses on changing the built environment—the nations’ buildings and transportation systems, says Christopher Leinberger. He calls for policy that promotes demand mitigation measures so more Americans will use less energy and emit less greenhouse gases where they live, work and recreate.

When the stimulus package was enacted last winter, the Obama administration said its goal was to create or save 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010. Gary Burtless analyzes how closely the administration is coming to achieving that goal so far. He finds that, on the whole, recent reports have understated the net effect of the stimulus program on overall employment by not taking into account the indirect effects of the stimulus on consumer spending and employment. Read More
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