In the News
News media from around the world rely on the expertise of Watson Institute faculty and researchers to help make sense of current world affairs and public policy issues. On this page, you will find articles that cite research done at Watson, opinion pieces by our faculty, interviews, podcasts and more.
In the News
News media from around the world rely on the expertise of Watson Institute faculty and researchers to help make sense of current world affairs and public policy issues. On this page, you will find articles that cite research done at Watson, opinion pieces by our faculty, interviews, podcasts and more.
In the Guardian, Mark Blyth argues that tariffs will raise prices, but the climate crisis is the deeper inflation driver that central banks can't fix.
In an interview with NBC 10, Marc Dunkelman discussed government progress — and the lack of it — in Southern New England and across the country.
In a WhoWhatWhy podcast interview, Marc Dunkelman discussed how America’s diminished ability to build and manufacture stems from deep-rooted structural and political challenges.
In The Forward, Dany Bahar argues that Harvard’s ability to defy federal demands under former President Donald Trump stems from its massive endowment — the same financial power some student activists sought to weaken through divestment.
In Asia Times, Lyle Goldstein warns that deepening U.S.-Philippines military ties amid rising tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea could escalate conflict, urging Washington to adopt a more cautious, diplomacy-focused approach.
Jeff Colgan writes in Maclean’s that despite occasional U.S. threats, Canada has remained independent for over two centuries due largely to American political divisions, public resistance, and Canada’s own strong nationalist identity.
Pitchfork Economics Podcast
Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—and How to Bring It Back (interview with Marc Dunkelman)
In an interview with the Pitchfork Economics podcast, Marc Dunkelman discusses how well-meaning progressive reforms have led to a “vetocracy” that stifles major public projects and undermines effective governance.
History as it Happens Podcast
What Is Antisemitism? (interview with Omer Bartov)
In the History As It Happens podcast, Omer Bartov explores the roots of antisemitism and critiques how allegations of it are being used politically to shield Israel from criticism.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Wendy Schiller discussed her surprise at Harvard's swift response to the White House and its implications for higher education.
In an interview with Jacobin, Omer Bartov discussed the political climate on U.S. campuses, backlash against scholars critical of Israel, and the personal dimensions of his scholarship.
Mark Blyth comments for The New York Times, “The whole world has decided that the U.S. government has no idea what it’s doing."
The Political Scene Podcast
Donald Trump Gets a “Spanking” from the Bond Market (interview with Mark Blyth)
In an interview with The New Yorker’s The Political Scene podcast, Mark Blyth discussed how the bond market forced Donald Trump to retreat on some tariffs and the risks of the president’s escalating trade war with China.
In Barron’s, Mark Blyth discussed the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs.
The Liberal Patriot Podcast
How to Make Government Work Again (interview with Marc Dunkelman)
In an interview on the Liberal Patriot podcast, Marc Dunkelman says progressivism has always been torn between centralizing and decentralizing impulses—a divide that has shaped today’s ineffective government.
Responsible Statecraft
Why Trump probably can’t pull off a ‘reverse Nixon’ (written by Lyle Goldstein)
In Responsible Statecraft, Lyle Goldstein argues that a Trump-led “reverse Nixon” strategy to split Russia and China is unlikely to succeed due to their deepening strategic, economic, and military ties.
Bloomberg Businessweek Podcast
Late Day Stock Drop; Auto Industry On Edge From Trump Tariffs (interview with Wendy Schiller)
In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Wendy Schiller explains the power dynamics within the Republican Party and shares insights on how Republicans are responding to President Donald Trump’s policies.
John Friedman comments for The College Fix, “We’ve looked at grades in later years of college within individual schools, and the broad pattern (test scores are predictive, high school GPA is not) remains.”
Scratch and Win Podcast
Why do some parts of government work better than others? (interview with Marc Dunkelman)
In a podcast interview, Marc Dunkelman explains why some parts of government face intense scrutiny while others operate quietly in the background.
Wendy Schiller comments for The Guardian, “The technical hurdle is very high. Given the political configuration now, and the control of state legislatures now, it would be impossible not only to repeal the 22nd amendment but to get him on the ballot in all 50 states.”
Project Syndicate
Trump, Tariffs, and the Fate of the Dollar (written by Mark Blyth)
In Project Syndicate, Mark Blyth says both U.S. parties have ditched free trade to reindustrialize, reflecting a deeper shift driven by global imbalances.
Ieva Jusionyte’s "Exit Wounds: How America’s Guns Fuel Violence Across the Border" receives 2025 R.R. Hawkins Award and PROSE Award in social sciences from the Association of American Publishers.
The Remnant Podcast
Big Government Now (interview with Marc Dunkelman)
In a podcast interview, Marc Dunkelman discussed the origins and transformation of American progressive policy and proclaimed that more institutions are needed to achieve good governance.
In The Atlantic, Marc J. Dunkelman argues that Democrats defended executive power under Biden but oppose it under Trump, leaving them stuck on bureaucratic inefficiency.
More journalists have been killed in Gaza than in six major U.S. wars combined, according to a Costs of War report cited by The Boston Globe.
Face-Off: The U.S. vs China
Soulmates: Xi and Putin (interview with Lyle Goldstein)
In an interview with the Face-Off: The U.S. vs China podcast, Lyle Goldstein discusses the evolving Russia-China relationship and how their alignment challenges the U.S. in a shifting global order.
In this podcast, Peter Andreas discusses myths and realities of border control, illicit trade and tariffs in the era of Trump.
The Global Health Politics Podcast
Prerna Singh on the Comparative Politics of Vaccination in China and India (interview with Prerna Singh)
In a podcast interview, Prerna Singh explores how states generate compliance with public health interventions, grounded in a comparison of India and China's efforts to eradicate smallpox.
Wendy Schiller explains why Trump's trade strategy could change quickly based on past history and why it will not necessarily lead to a material boost in American manufacturing.
Wendy Schiller discusses the latest round of tariffs and the economic uncertainty under the Trump administration.
Bloomberg Surveillance
Market fears grow after President Trump's auto tariffs (Commentary by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller reacts to President Trump's auto tariffs announcement and how Washington will or will not push back, as well as the Signal text controversy.
Senior Fellow in International and Public Affairs Stephanie Savell, who directs the Costs of War project at Brown, provided commentary in this article.
Ashutosh Varshney comments on Satya Mohanty's new book, "Unpolitically Correct."
Mark Blyth discusses what will happen in the short and long term if the U.S. economy goes into recession due to the Trump administration's attempt to produce a "once-in-a-generation shift in how we run the global economy."
Responsible Statecraft
Bombardments making Ukraine, Gaza toxic for generations (Costs of War research cited)
This article cites a recent Costs of War study that examines the long-term environmental effects of prolonged conflict in places like Ukraine and Gaza.
This article about how the toxic remnants of war adversely affect the health of not just those immediately exposed but also future generations cites research by The Costs of War project.
Ashutosh Varshney, director of the Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia, offered commentary on the impact on India of the United States' China tariff policies.
In this opinion piece, J. Brian Atwood makes the affirmative case for USAID based on the challenges he experienced running the agency in the 1990s.
In this article, Lyle Goldstein asserts that the U.S. and China should agree to an annual three-day bilateral summit to defuse tensions and avoid a nuclear confrontation between the two nations.
This article cites research from the Costs of War project, which estimates that the U.S. has spent $8 trillion on its post-9/11 wars.
Washington Monthly
The Long Shadow of Robert Moses (Marc Dunkelman’s research cited)
A review of Marc Dunkleman's book "Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress — And How to Bring it Back."
In an interview with High Country News, Ieva Jusionyte discusses the changing narrative on the role of American guns in violence in Mexico and the stakes of the Supreme Court case against U.S. gun companies.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Wendy Schiller explains why Schumer's decision not to block the bill could hurt his party's base.
In an interview with On the Media, Mark Blyth explains the rhetoric of short-term pain for long-term gain and what to make of the economy right now.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Wendy Schiller discusses whether Congress will be able to impede Musk and President Trump's cost-cutting initiatives.
U.S. News and World Report
I ran USAID when it was last under attack. Here’s how we saved it. (written by J. Brian Atwood)
J. Brian Atwood wrote a column for U.S. News & World Report about the impact of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which he led in the 1990s.
Politics War Room Podcast
Why Can’t We Have Nice Things? (interview with Marc Dunkelman)
In an interview on the Politics War Room podcast, Marc Dunkelman discussed the costly burden of the administrative state and how it creates obstacles to progress, undermining faith in the government’s ability to get things done.
Lyle Goldstein comments for Foreign Policy, “Things are changing, and there’s an earnest debate in the Republican Party.”
In an article for Business a.m., Mark Blyth argues that austerity has returned as a political weapon, promoted for economic and ideological purposes despite its historical failures and potential to deepen inequality.
In an interview with 92nd Street Y, Marc Dunkelman discusses the deep-seated challenges facing America’s infrastructure and institutional systems.
A recent Solar Builder article cites a report from researchers at the Climate Solutions Lab analyzing the cost of permitting red tape for residential solar systems in Colorado.
A recent New Yorker article reviews Marc Dunkelman's latest book, "Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back."
Fox News cites data from the Costs of War Project at the Watson Institute on contractor deaths during the Iraq War.
In an interview with the Guns Unpacked podcast, Ieva Jusionyte discusses the cultural and historical context of guns in Mexico, the connections between gun politics and immigration, and how the availability of U.S. guns shapes migration.
Stephanie Savell comments for The Intercept, "Cuts to the astronomical Pentagon budget have been urgent for a long time."
The Express Tribune cites data from the Costs of War Project on the number of military and civilian deaths in U.S.-led post-9/11 wars.
In a Bloomberg interview, Wendy Schiller discussed the latest D.C. headlines and Trump's recent statements on tariffs.
The New York Times
We Can Achieve Great Things (Mark Dunkelman's book cited)
A recent New York Times article cites Marc J. Dunkelman's "Why Nothing Works," highlighting its analysis of how shifting values have shaped activism and hindered government action on housing, infrastructure, and clean energy.
A recent Wall Street Journal article reviews Marc Dunkelman's latest book, "Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back."
Mark Blyth writes for Market Watch, "Austerity is back, but this time it is not just a bad idea. It is also a political weapon and a dangerous economic redistributive tool."
The Boston Globe
How Europe can go it alone (written by Stephen Kinzer)
In The Boston Globe, Stephen Kinzer argues that the U.S. is abandoning its long-standing security role in Europe, forcing an unprepared continent to rethink its defense strategy and future alliances.
In an interview with The Gist, Marc J. Dunkelman, author of Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back,discusses why modern institutions fail at delivering progress and what can be done to fix them.