Can the administration and Congress move forward on $2 trillion infrastructure plan?
Release Date: 04/30/2019
What do leaked financial documents reveal about dirty money in banking?
The Current
New reporting on leaked suspicious activity reports from the U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCen") has revealed significant flaws in U.S. and global anti-money laundering efforts. Matthew Collin explains why financial systems still host so much dirty money, despite a huge regulatory push over the last 20 years to stamp down on money laundering, and what reforms would help make banking systems cleaner. 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...
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What have “maximum pressure” sanctions against Iran accomplished?
The Current
Brookings Vice President Suzanne Maloney explains how the US attempt to trigger a "snapback" of UN sanctions against Iran as part of the JCPOA agreement "exposes the utter lack of efficacy of the Trump administration's policy." She also looks ahead to how a Biden administration might seek to reestablish negotiations toward a broader agreement. 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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What prompted the UAE and Bahrain’s normalization of relations with Israel?
The Current
Following the White House signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords, which normalize peaceful relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Natan Sachs examines the driving factors behind the rapprochement. He also warns that while the peace deal is a net positive for regional relations, the Palestinians, though shunted aside, cannot be ignored. 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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Who is Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s next prime minister?
The Current
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has elected Yoshihide Suga to succeed Shinzo Abe as prime minister, following a parliamentary vote on Wednesday. Brookings Senior Fellow Mireya Solís describes Suga's humble beginnings and political career, and the numerous domestic and foreign policy challenges awaiting him as he steps into office. 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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What’s driving mass protests in Belarus?
The Current
Steve Pifer explains how President Lukashenko's response to COVID-19 and a blatantly stolen election in August prompted the wide-spread demonstrations in Belarus, and warns how Russia could alienate another border country by supporting Lukashenko over the Belarusian people. 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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What does the DC Circuit ruling mean for House subpoena power?
The Current
On Monday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the House Judiciary Committee cannot compel former White House counsel Donald McGahn to comply with a congressional subpoena. Scott Anderson weighs in on the judicial panel's reasoning for this decision, how subpoena fights between the White House and Congress have usually been resolved, and whether this decision has broader repercussions for congressional authority. 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...
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What’s next for Japan after Abe’s resignation?
The Current
The resignation of Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, comes at a time of profound uncertainty and geopolitical tension, from the coronavirus pandemic and economic recession to an assertive China and an inward-turning America. Mireya Solís assesses Abe's domestic and international record, his institutional changes to Japanese leadership, and the challenges awaiting his successor. 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...
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What does VP pick Kamala Harris bring to the Democratic ticket?
The Current
Joe Biden's selection of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as his vice presidential running mate "gives the Democratic Party an opportunity to seize the future and seize it in a way where voters see themselves reflected." Senior Fellow Camille Busette examines Harris' significance as a biracial Black woman VP candidate, her personal appeal and policy credentials, and momentum in politics for progress on racial equity and justice. Full show notes: https://brook.gs/3fS6kEw Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to , and follow us and...
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What’s behind Trump’s decision to cut U.S. troops in Germany?
The Current
President Trump announced that he is relocating 12,000 U.S. troops from Germany, a third of U.S. forces there. What's behind this decision? Does it make strategic sense? Will it help or harm NATO's deterrence capabilities? And while President Trump has criticized Germany (and other NATO allies) for not yet meeting the agreed-upon 2% of GDP spending target for the alliance, should we broaden the definition of burden sharing? In this episode, guest host Senior Fellow Michael O'Hanlon and Senior Fellow Constanze Stelzenmüller discuss the issue. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts...
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What's in Biden's $2 trillion climate plan?
The Current
The size and scope of Joe Biden's $2 trillion climate plan is "unprecedented historically," Brookings Associate Fellow Joe Kane argues. While the full details, including funding, of many of the proposals are still forthcoming, Kane lays out the expansive range of priorities in the plan, from physical and digital infrastructure, agriculture and land conservation, worker training and unionization, to labor equity, environmental justice, and coordination of efforts across national, state, and local partners. Full show notes: Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on...
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.