Effective Social Protection for the Poor, America’s Counterterrorism Strategy in Syria, and More

February 22, 2022

A customer conducts a mobile money transfer, known as MPesa, at a Safaricom agent stall in downtown Nairobi

Accelerating digital cash transfers to the world’s poorest

17% of the world’s population received at least one COVID-related cash payment between 2020 and 2021. However, delivery of these funds was uneven across the globe—particularly in low-income countries. Homi Kharas and co-authors explain how digital cash payments can enable more effective social protection for the poor.

A girl walks near a building destroyed during past fighting with Islamic State militants

Not by counterterrorism alone: Root causes and the defeat of the Islamic State group

America’s shifting counterterrorism strategy in Syria is a signature component of the broader recalibration of U.S. foreign policy away from failed efforts at nation building and toward limited, more sharply defined objectives that the Biden administration presents as more achievable and realistic. But has Washington over-calibrated in narrowing its objectives in Syria? Steven Heydemann discusses the effectiveness of America’s new strategy.

Adelana Akindes takes part in a demonstration against racial injustice

The pandemic showed why social and structural determinants of health matter

With the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately harming America’s Black and Latino communities, it is critical for leaders to address underlying structural issues that contribute to poor health outcomes, including health care gaps, environmental exposure and air pollution, and food insecurity. Anthony Barr and Ariel Gelrud Shiro outline policies to address these lingering issues.

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