There’s a Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas. Now What?

May 22, 2021

Palestinians inspect damaged buildings that were hit by Israeli airstrikes

Congratulations on the ceasefire. Now the hard work begins.

The violence and suffering of the past two weeks is just an alarming taste of what the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can look like when the parties walk away from negotiated compromise. Tamara Cofman Wittes outlines initial steps Washington can take to help move this conflict back from the abyss and lay the foundations for dialogue.

Short-term federal funding from ARP can jumpstart long-term water infrastructure improvements

“Federal funding from the ARP—or any other proposal—should not simply be a lifeline; it should be enhancing future-looking infrastructure investments across the country and providing greater financial flexibility in a sector that has often lacked such support.” Joseph Kane explains how the American Rescue Plan offers new opportunities to state and local leaders for long-term planning and investment in water infrastructure.

Section 230 reform deserves careful and focused consideration

There are no panaceas for the problems arising from online content and social media platforms. Cameron Kerry argues that while there may be changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act that could adjust incentives to moderate offensive content, it will take a range of specific measures to accomplish what many people seem to broadly expect from Section 230 revision.

Must-listen podcasts

An independent Jan. 6 commission. Molly Reynolds joins The Current to explain the limitations of current congressional committee investigations, the likelihood of the Senate approving an independent 1/6 commission, and the many challenges facing attempts to build a cohesive narrative around the January insurrection.

Bipartisan criminal justice reform. In an episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Rashawn Ray and the American Enterprise Institute’s Brent Orrell discuss evidence-based ideas to make prisons, policing, and prosecution more humane and effective.

China’s middle class in dynamic Shanghai. Also on the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Cheng Li argues that American policymakers should not overlook the dynamism and diversity in present-day China, exemplified by the city of Shanghai and its expansive and cosmopolitan middle-class culture.

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