The Misunderstood Gains of Modern America
The myth of American decline since the 1970s ignores measurable progress: real wages rose 40% since 1990, and cancer mortality dropped by a third due to medical advances. While challenges exist, innovations in economics and healthcare defy the “stagnation” narrative.
Progress under threat: The future of overdose prevention in the United States
Overdose deaths in the United States fell by nearly 25% from 2023 to 2024. While this decrease may point to the effectiveness of recent reforms, such as expanded access to naloxone, methadone, and buprenorphine, the work is far from done.
Despite overall decreases, overdose death rates are not equal across demographic groups, revealing the need for targeted public health responses.
The potential loss of Medicaid coverage and cuts to addiction-related grant programs would devastate treatment access, particularly for low-income individuals and in rural areas.
Trump’s immigration policies may threaten American AI leadership
Ahead of the 2024 election, President Trump said he would support high-skilled immigration, in part to support American leadership in AI.
However, the administration has targeted and imposed new barriers on international students, many of whom pursue studies in AI-related fields.
At the same time, other countries have created policies to attract talent, posing a threat to U.S. technological innovation and leadership.
Trump’s “Sheriffs” Can’t Keep the Peace with China
Trump’s foreign policy echoes Nixon’s doctrine of delegating regional security to allies (like Israel in the Middle East) to reduce U.S. burdens. While this approach shows promise in the Middle East and Europe, it faces hurdles: loss of control over proxies, continued U.S. involvement needs, and outright failure in Asia—where China’s military dominance makes allied self-reliance impossible.
Why AI Could Be a Productivity Dynamo
economic fads or foundational breakthroughs. Drawing on economic theory, historical precedent, and early productivity studies, the authors ask: Is GenAI a light bulb, a dynamo, or a microscope?
Tele-Palliative Care Offers Access to Needed Support
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. Tele-palliative care offers access to care for those who might otherwise go without and has surprising advantages over traditional, in-person care.
Iran and the Logic of Limited Wars
Israel’s limited war on Iran needs to be judged against the alternatives. By that measure, the operation was a success. Limited wars can buy time, shift the geopolitical dynamic and, in doing so, pave the way to something more enduring.