Can the administration and Congress move forward on $2 trillion infrastructure plan?
Release Date: 04/30/2019
Why is Duterte canceling the US-Philippines military cooperation agreement?
The Current
This week, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte announced the cancellation of the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. While withdrawal from the military cooperation pact doesn't dissolve the mutual defense treaty between the two countries, Lindsey Ford warns that it reinforces a narrative of declining U.S. influence and leadership in the Indo-Pacific, and is also a significant loss for the safety and security of the Philippine people. Full show notes: The Current is part of the .
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After Iowa and New Hampshire, what’s next for the Democratic race?
The Current
Following the first two contests in the 2020 presidential race, Elaine Kamarck examines how Democratic candidates performed in Iowa and New Hampshire, the future of caucuses in the presidential selection process, and what's important to watch for in the upcoming Nevada and South Carolina contests. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter. The Current is part of the .
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Will House Dems' infrastructure plan yield results?
The Current
The recently released infrastructure framework from House Democrats is a broad statement of purpose, not a specific legislative agenda, says Adie Tomer, a sign that it's intended more as a platform for generating productive debate over the details--especially the always-contentious funding question. Tomer explains the wide range of programs covered in the proposal, why Democrats are putting it forth now, and why progress on infrastructure priorities is so hard to achieve. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to ,...
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Is Trump’s State of the Union a roadmap for 2020?
The Current
President Donald Trump’s third State of the Union address “at many points departed from reality and facts, but laid out a clear strategy and vision that he will have moving forward into his re-election.” John Hudak lays out how the speech anticipates the president’s political and rhetorical tactics and challenges for Democrats in the 2020 campaign. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter. The Current is part of the .
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Brexit Day is here. What happens next?
The Current
On January 31, the U.K.'s withdrawal from the European Union is official. Over the next eleven months, the British government will negotiate its future relationships with the EU, the U.S., and the rest of the world. Robert Bosch Senior Fellow Amanda Sloat explains the possibilities and challenges for Britain's trade relationships, how Brexit day will affect EU citizens currently living and working in the U.K, and regional tensions within the U.K. being exacerbated by Brexit. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email...
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What does Trump’s Middle East plan mean for Israel and Palestine?
The Current
After President Trump announced his plan for the future of Israel and the Palestinian territories, Tamara Cofman Wittes explains how this one differs from previous U.S. peace proposals, the conditions placed on Palestinian statehood, and whether the plan, if implemented, would actually resolve the long-standing conflict. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter. The Current is part of the .
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What does Putin’s government shakeup mean for his role in Russia?
The Current
Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposed sweeping constitutional changes have stirred speculation about his plans to maintain power after his term of office expires in 2024. Russia expert Angela Stent, author of "Putin's World," interprets Putin's latest moves, the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the rest of the current government, and what to watch for during the next few months. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter. The Current...
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Will the new US-China trade deal end the trade war?
The Current
The U.S. and China recently signed what's being called "phase one" of a trade agreement, rolling back some tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for China promising increased purchases of U.S. goods and services. David Dollar breaks down the details of the new deal, including China's commitments on intellectual property rights and technology transfers, whether the U.S. can increase production to meet those export goals, and the likelihood of any further concessions anytime soon.
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What does Taiwan’s presidential election mean for relations with China?
The Current
The landslide reelection of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen was in many ways a referendum on how Taiwan manages its relationship with China. Brookings Senior Fellow Richard Bush explains why Taiwan's electorate preferred President Tsai's cautious approach, how other domestic political and economic factors weighed in her favor, and possible lessons from this election on combating disinformation. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter. The Current is part of...
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How will Iran respond to US assassination of Soleimani?
The Current
Following the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Brookings expert Suzanne Maloney lays out how Iran may choose to retaliate and the potential repercussions for the U.S., Iraq, and the broader Middle East. She also warns that the cycle of escalation may be moving beyond either the U.S. or Iran's control. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to , and follow us and tweet us at on Twitter. The Current is part of the .
info_outlineBrookings Fellow Adie Tomer explains what's included in the $2 trillion infrastructure proposal announced Tuesday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer following their meeting with President Trump, and how federal infrastructure programs are woefully outdated.
Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2GSh070
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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.