Investing in Underdeveloped Places, Bad News for Democrats, and More

December 16, 2022

Panoramic view of Philadelphia skyline and Schuylkill river

Breaking down an $80 billion surge in place-based industrial policy

After years of growing regional divides and uneven economic progress, the U.S. government is finally focusing on large-scale, direct investments in underdeveloped places. Mark Muro, Robert Maxim, Joseph Parilla, and Xavier de Souza Briggs provide an overview of where that money is going.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally ahead of the midterm elections in Miami

Is this the end of Trump? Yes, but that’s not good news for Democrats.

“The fascination (or obsession) with Trump has caused many to overlook the fact that there is a non-Trump Republican Party out there and it does pretty well. A return to a more normal Republican Party may be good for America but could pose a problem for some Democrats who need to build a stronger rationale for their party than ‘we’re not Trump,’” argues Elaine Kamarck.

Countdown to 2030: Addressing the stubborn obesity challenge in Saudi Arabia

The second sustainable development goal (SDG) proposes the elimination of all forms of malnutrition in children under five, but the share of children who are overweight is one of the few SDG indicators that has become worse since 2015. Reem Alsukait and co-authors examine the problem in Saudi Arabia.