2021 In the News

Mark Blyth penned this article on COVID-19 stimulus money and the idea that checks should be electronic.

James Green offered commentary on recommendations for the U.S. government's relationship with Brazil that were delivered to President Biden last week. The recommendations were written by the U.S. Network for Democracy in Brazil, for which Green serves as national co-coordinator.

This article cites Emily Oster and her national COVID-19 database for K-12 schools.

Emily Oster provides commentary in this article stating, "I would like to see [Mr. Biden] get in there to rebuild some trust between some of the unions and other school groups, and I think that particularly because of who the president is, there is actually an opportunity for him to try to personally rebuild some of that trust."

Margaret Weir offered commentary on Massachusetts' Department of Unemployment Assistance, which she calls "shockingly dysfunctional."

This article cites John Friedman and his Opportunity Insights data collection on the decrease in household incomes since the start of the pandemic.

This article cites James N. Green and his opinion that Bolsonaro is becoming a major global enemy.

Wendy Schiller appears in this Bloomberg Daybreak segment to discuss the impeachment trial.

Wendy Schiller in The Guardian, "If the Democrats can gain with suburban voters by tying the incumbent Republican senators to Donald Trump for the next two years, it helps them keep the Senate and that's the whole reason this trial is happening."

Wendy Schiller provides commentary in this article on overcoming the filibuster.

Wendy Schiller in The Guardian, "Jen Psaki has become must-see TV. I think many people are glued to these press conferences...It's like being in a rainstorm after a drought."

Emily Oster and her Covid-19 database are referenced in this article, as well as commentary from Oster: "We've ranked schools far too low in terms of their intrinsic value and far too high in terms of the COVID risk."

This podcast episode references the research and tracking efforts of Professor Emily Oster.

In this podcast interview, Margaret Weir joins Andy McClenaghan to explore what the Biden administration will mean for social work in the USA.

In this radio interview, Mark Blyth explains the populist lingo around the GameStop situation on Wall Street, Robinhood and other day traders, and more.

Stephanie Savell co-authored this report (with infographic by Maria Ji) which displays an estimate of the raw number of service members from each state operating in the United States post-9/11 wars in 2019 and the relative burden borne by each state in making this contribution.

This article refereces data from the Costs of War report at Watson.

Mark Blyth appears on this podcast segment to discuss the "day-trading" insurrectionists to uncover who is actually in control, what human emotions are unleashed by the markets and what it all means for politics and economics.

Stephen Kinzer penned this column on the importance of reimagining the United States' relationships in Central and South America.

This article cites the Costs of War report as it relates to U.S. currency spent on the military.

John Friedman offered commentary on the effectiveness of targeting stimulus payments to lower-income households.

Richard Arenberg provides commentary in this article, arguing that the filibuster cools the legislative temperature and offers a degree of protection for whichever party is out of power.

Patrick Heller provides commentary on the rapid growth of Kerala.

This article cites Stephanie Savell and the Costs of War report, which shows the scope of U.S. counterterrorism operations, including combat operations in the Middle East and across Africa.

John Friedman in the Hannibal Courier-Post, "The fact that we have the ability to analyze this stuff after a few weeks gives us the opportunity to have policy that adapts to circumstances in a way we haven't had before."

Jeff Colgan penned this article on climate security, economic integration, and climate change.

This article cites Opportunity Insights: "Though spending rose 7.9% from Jan. 6 to Jan. 19, 2021 compared to the same period a year previous for households making under $46,000, it edged up 0.2% for households making over $78,000..."

This article cites Opportunity Insights and provides commentary from co-doirector John Friedman: "The fact that we have the ability to analyze this stuff after a few weeks gives us the opportunity to have policy that adapts to circumstances in a way we haven't had before."

Rich Arenberg appears in this episode of South Coast Matters for a discussion centered around remaking democracy functional.

This article includes commentary from, and highlights the research and tracking efforts of, Professor Emily Oster.

This article cites Emily Oster and her COVID-19 dashboard, which has ultimately shown a low virus spread in K-12 schools.

This article draws on data from Opportunity Insights, co-directed by John Friedman.

In this interview, Prerna Singh discusses India's COVID-19 lockdown and the path the government took when addressing the pandemic.

This article includes commentary from Rose McDermott on how we develop our own individual political perspectives.

Stephanie Savell co-created this report and visual representation of post-9/11 operations to convey the broad reach of U.S. government activities to fight what it and partner countries call "terrorism" or "violent extremism."

In this video, John Friedman discusses targeting stimulus payments to lower-income households and how to best support those who are struggling financially due to the pandemic.

This feature on Emily Oster delves into her COVID-19 tracking efforts and the research behind opening K-12 schools during the pandemic.

Emily Oster provides commentary on a recent study that shows the safety of reopening schools "in a very concrete way."

Emily Oster in The New York Times, "Prioritizing schools is going to mean limiting some of those other activities, and deciding that we want to undertake some of those sacrifices to keep schools open, because we've decided as a society that schools are important relative to other things."

Mark Blyth appears in this podcast segment with Rana Foroohar to discuss, "If there were a real fear of inflation, there wouldn't be such an appetite for long term government debt at what amounts to a negative interest rate."

John Friedman in the Washington Post, "Low-income households have suffered by far the biggest economic shock. They need the help the most."

Wendy Schiller offered commentary on RI Governor Gina Raimondo's U.S. Senate confirmation hearing.

This article draws on the research and tracking efforts of, and includes commentary from, Emily Oster.

Michael Kennedy provided commentary on the Bernie Sanders "mitten" meme.

Richard Arenberg offered commentary on the future of the filibuster.

Stephen Kinzer delivered a speech at a protest in Boston in which many gathered at the steps of the Massachusetts State House to ask the Biden administration to halt support of the war in Yemen.

This article draws on data by Opportunity Insights, co-directed by John Friedman.

In this article, John Friedman offers commentary on the current socioeconomic situation in America: "We need to be thinking about more than just making up for the last 10 months, in terms of really fixing inequality. This is something that has been a growing problem in this country for 40 years."