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15+ states have weighed data center moratoriums amid AI-driven construction booms. Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West on why pauses should lead to stronger oversight and community collaboration.
Data center moratoriums are not a substitute for oversight | Brookings
Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West discuss the rise of moratoriums against data centers and the need to hold companies accountable.
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Governments restricting exports to shield domestic consumers may be trading short-term relief for long-term costs. Kari Heerman and David Wessel explain, drawing on lessons from the 2026 Iran war.
Export restrictions don’t solve scarcity; they redistribute it | Brookings
The immediate consequence of imposing export restrictions is greater scarcity, which is especially impactful for import-dependent countries.
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The AI race is no longer just a competition between companies and startups; it’s a contest between nations over global power and influence, says Kyle Chan. Hear him break down the ongoing AI battle between Chinese open-source models and American companies like Anthropic and OpenAI.
Why Washington fears China's open-source AI | Brookings
What does the invention of Chinese AI model Kimi K3 mean for Washington and Silicon Valley? In a new explainer for The Beijing Brief podcast, Kyle Chan breaks down the ongoing AI battle between Chines...
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Morocco's run to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals reflects two decades of investment in youth football and infrastructure. For Foresight Africa, Landry Signé talks with Morocco's U.S. ambassador about what's next as the country co-hosts 2030.
After the men’s World Cup: How African countries can leverage sports for development and diplomacy | Brookings
Host Landry Signé meets with H.E. Youssef Amrani, the Kingdom of Morocco’s ambassador to the U.S., on the heels of the men’s 2026 World Cup to discuss his country’s investment in sports for developmen...
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State audits keep finding the same thing: noncitizen voting is vanishingly rare. Elaine Kamarck breaks down the data—and what added documentation requirements under the SAVE Act could mean for eligible voters.
Why do so few noncitizens try to vote? | Brookings
State audits show noncitizen voting is rare, while the SAVE Act could add new hurdles for eligible voters.
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Non-citizens use public benefits at lower rates than citizens—despite being more concentrated at the bottom of the income distribution, where these programs are targeted, according to new estimates from Sasha Snyder and Tara Watson.
Immigrant public benefit participation: Our estimates | Brookings
Despite being disproportionately low-income, Brookings researchers find that non-citizens use public benefits at lower rates than citizens. Their estimates show why measurement choices shape this conc...
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Why does the U.S. struggle to shape how its security partners fight—and end—their wars? New research from Dafna Rand draws on 30+ interviews with senior officials to explain why American leverage fades once a partnered conflict begins.
Why can't the United States end allies' wars?
Dafna H. Rand examines why influencing a partner’s warfighting decisions has become so difficult for the U.S. over the past decade.
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The space economy is accelerating fast—tourism, mining, exploration, communications, defense. Darrell West talks with Bridgit Mendler and Mariel Borowitz about why more infrastructure investment is needed to support that growth, and where government can lead.
The importance of investing in space infrastructure with Bridgit Mendler and Mariel Borowitz | The TechTank Podcast | Brookings
On this episode of TechTank, Darrell West is joined by Bridgit Mendler and Mariel Borowitz to discuss the importance of investing in space infrastructure.
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Following Iran's attack on a U.S. air base in Jordan that killed American soldiers, Bruce Riedel explains the recent history of U.S.-Jordan relations—and why the attack is likely to reinforce, not weaken, the partnership.
Why Jordan remains a critical US partner | Brookings
The loss of several American servicemen in Jordan this week underscores the centrality of the Hashemite Kingdom to U.S. policy in the region.
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The federal government may soon create a new body to oversee powerful AI models, inspired by brokerage-industry regulation. Elham Tabassi and coauthors outline what it must get right—from industry-independent funding to real access to test AI systems—before release.
The U.S. Is About to Design an AI Regulator. Here’s How to Get It Right. | Council on Foreign Relations
The AI industry and the administration could soon converge on a FINRA-style regulator for frontier AI. Its ultimate viability and effectiveness will be decided by design choices being made right now.
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As Congress debates FEMA's future, new analysis from Tony Pipa and Julia Davatzes finds rural counties bore a disproportionate share of major disasters over the past decade—often with fewer resources to recover.
How do rural communities fit into FEMA’s disaster response and recovery? | Brookings
Pipa and Davatzes examines rural disaster recovery challenges and show why reform must reflect rural needs and constraints.
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The U.S. declined to renew USMCA on July 1—but it didn't collapse either. Kari Heerman talks with Christopher Sands and Duncan Wood about what "failure to renew" actually means and why negotiations continue.
USMCA fails to renew—but it’s not over yet | Brookings
On July 1, the U.S. government declined to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—but that’s not the end for the region’s free trade agreement. Kari Heerman spoke with Christopher Sands and Du...
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USPS carried roughly 99 million ballots in 2024—nearly a third of American votes. Elena Patel explains what the Postal Service does, and doesn't, control in elections.
Delivering the vote: How 4 pressures are testing the Postal Service’s role in American elections | Brookings
The U.S. Postal Service plays a critical role in mail voting. Learn how election law, postmarks, financial pressures, and new federal policies are reshaping USPS's role in American elections.
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How close are China and Russia, really? For The Beijing Brief, Fiona Hill and Patricia M. Kim sit down with Jonathan A. Czin to unpack the surprisingly complicated relationship between Beijing and Moscow.
No limits? Testing the China-Russia relationship | Brookings
The Ukraine war, shifting American foreign policy priorities under President Trump, and increased global instability have shifted the balance in the China-Russia relationship, one of the world’s most ...
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David M. Klaus and Mark MacCarthy discuss the federal, state, and regulatory actions needed to translate a "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" into enforceable protections.
The pledge to protect ratepayers from AI data center costs needs enforcement | Brookings
David Klaus and Mark MacCarthy outline what needs to happen next to translate words of commitment around data centers into action.
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"The Fed’s nearly 50% decline in enforcement actions since COVID leads one to wonder whether the banks they regulate are that much more compliant or whether the Fed is choosing not to issue formal enforcement actions."
Why is bank enforcement declining? | Brookings
Aaron Klein and Cameron Connell assess the serious decrease in formal bank enforcement actions, particularly at the Federal Reserve
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Debates over USPS often center on its finances—but who actually relies on the mail, and for what? New research from Elena Patel, drawing on four decades of USPS data, finds mail remains critical for medications, voting, tax filing, and rural service access.
Beyond the Balance Sheet: What American Households Still Use the Mail ForBeyond the balance sheet: What American households still use the mail for | Brookings
New analysis of USPS Household Diary Study data shows how Americans still rely on the mail, from paper bills to package delivery, and which households depend on it most.
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More than 4 million U.S. families with young children are pushed into financial instability by childcare costs alone. Glencora Haskins examines what's driving the crisis—and what states can do about it.
As childcare costs skyrocket, states need a new approach to help working families | Brookings
As childcare costs continue to rise, states have an opportunity to help working families. New research shows how affordable childcare policies can improve financial stability and increase labor force ...
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SCOTUS ruled in Trump v. Barbara that birth on U.S. soil confers citizenship, striking down the 2025 executive order narrowing that principle. William Galston on the ruling, the dissent, and why only a constitutional amendment could change it now.
Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejects Trump order | Brookings
The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship decision underscores the enduring significance of the 14th Amendment.
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Canada and Mexico agreed to extend USMCA for 16 more years—the U.S. did not. The agreement stays in force, but now enters a cycle of annual reviews under Article 34.7. Maricarmen Barron Esper and Christopher Sands assess what the first-ever review revealed.
USMCA review reviewed: Lessons from the first use of USMCA's review mechanism | Brookings
Maricarmen Barron Esper and Christopher Sands review the performance of the first USMCA review and offer lessons for future negotiations.
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The Declaration of Independence remains an unfinished promise. On the season finale of Democracy in Question, host Katie Dunn Tenpas talks with historian Heather Cox Richardson about what the Declaration means today, and how its ideals depend on Americans to defend, expand, and reinvent them.
Heather Cox Richardson on defending the Declaration’s democratic ideals | Brookings
On the final episode of Democracy in Question’s third season, host Katie Dunn Tenpas speaks with historian Heather Cox Richardson about the Declaration of Independence as a whole and its relevance tod...
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New research from Mayu Takeuchi and Joseph Parilla offers a playbook for governors and state legislators: five structural "plays" to modernize economic development and connect more workers to good jobs.
States enable, regions thrive | Brookings
A state playbook for growing good jobs in the next economy
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Is "AI race" the wrong frame for U.S.-China AI competition? Kyle Chan and R. David Edelman join Ryan Hass on The Beijing Brief to break down how differently the two countries are actually approaching AI strategy and goals.
Are the US and China really in an AI “race"? | Brookings
How are the United States and China pursuing AI development? On this episode of The Beijing Brief, Ryan Hass sits down with Kyle Chan and R. David Edelman to discuss the two countries differing AI str...
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This July 4th marks 250 years of American independence. William H. Frey asks what the next 25 years could look like—comparing population and workforce projections under three different immigration scenarios.
America is turning 250. Here's how immigration may shape its future. | Brookings
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, new demographic projections show how different levels of immigration could shape the nation’s population, workforce, and future growth.
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On the latest episode of The Current, Bruce Jones and Kari Heerman join Aslı Aydıntaşbaş to unpack the US-Iran deal—why the Strait of Hormuz isn't fully open yet, and what it means for global shipping.
Will the Strait of Hormuz reopen after the US-Iran deal? | Brookings
After the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş spoke to Kari Heerman and Bruce Jones about its geopolitical implications, building on their rece...
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What does the Declaration of Independence mean today, 250 years later? Join us on June 30 for a conversation with professors Danielle Allen and Michael Zuckert, as well as Brookings fellows Robert Kagan, Andre Perry, and Melanie Sisson.
What does the Declaration of Independence mean today? | Brookings
Join Brookings on June 30th for a discussion that explores the Declaration of Independence's meaning in light of today's evolving political landscape.
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Two grievances lodged against King George in the Declaration of Independence—taxation without consent and trade restrictions—continue to shape U.S. policy. Listen to this episode of Democracy in Question for a conversation that draws a direct line from 1776 to today's tariff and tax decisions.
Why the founders cared about trade and taxes | Brookings
Two grievances lodged against King George in the Declaration of Independence—taxation without consent and trade restrictions—continue to shape American policy today. On this episode of Democracy in Qu...
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Michael O'Hanlon calls Trump's request for a no-strings-attached $350 billion in extra defense spending "bad budgeting and bad democracy."
A better way to spend $350 billion at the Pentagon | Brookings
Any supplemental for the FY27 defense budget due to the Iran war should be made through normal channels—and be smaller in size.
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The Iran war has pushed Israel-Palestine off the diplomatic agenda — even as Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon worsen. The lesson: ignoring structural inequities in Israel-Palestine doesn’t contain conflict. It regionalizes it. www.brookings.edu/articles/the... @brookings.edu
The cycle of violence: From Israel-Palestine to Iran and back | Brookings
The U.S. and Israel’s war in Iran has meaningfully shifted focus away from Israel and Palestine amid worsening conditions on the ground.
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Today at 2 pm ET, tune in to a discussion on how America's values and identities have evolved throughout history and why they matter in today’s polarized political climate. Watch online here: www.brookings.edu/events/what-...
What binds Americans today: Ideals or identity? | Brookings
Join the Brookings Institution on June 23rd for a discussion on the evolution of the US since its declaration of independence 250 years ago.
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