This week's congressional hearing with the CEOs of Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple was meant to explore antitrust issues, specifically the effects of the companies' market power. Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler writes that what the hearing left mostly unaddressed was the source of that considerable market power—the collection and use of private data.
"Drawing strength from all of its citizens distinguishes the U.S. from other 'great powers.' Only through individual actions at all levels, bolstered by structural incentives, will the State Department succeed in delivering leaders that reflect the broad diversity of America." Annika Betancourt explains the lack of diversity among U.S. diplomats and outlines steps to address the problem.
As many schools prepare to try and make distance learning work for the foreseeable future, vulnerable families need emergency broadband relief, with increased investments in home broadband, schools, and libraries. Nicol Turner Lee argues that Congress needs to direct funding for broadband access so that minority, rural, and poor students don't lose out on educational and social mobility outcomes.
Trump's decision to cut U.S. troops in Germany. This week, President Trump announced that he is moving forward on relocating 12,000 U.S. troops from Germany. What's behind this decision? Does it make strategic sense? Michael O'Hanlon and Constanze Stelzenmüller discuss on a new episode of The Current.
China and the Middle East. On a special edition of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Lindsey Ford interviews Bruce Riedel and Natan Sachs about China's relationships with two key partners in the Middle East: Israel and Saudi Arabia.
A progressive case for free trade, immigration, and global capital. Reed College Professor Kimberly Clausing joins the Dollar & Sense podcast to argue against reversing globalization. On the episode, Clausing makes the case for policies that would ensure the benefits of globalization are evenly shared.
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