Jori Breslawski penned this article on how the Taliban signed a deal with UNICEF to open 4,000 schools inside its territory.
In the News
As schools reopen amid COVID surge, teacher fears increase (Emily Oster cited)
Emily Oster's national COVID-19 dashboard is cited in this article.
Wendy Schiller offered commentary on questions surrounding R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo's future and a potential role with the Biden administration.
Bloomberg Daybreak: January 5, 2021 (interview with Wendy Schiller)
In this Bloomberg podcast segment, Wendy Schiller discusses the runoff election, contesting the electoral vote, republicans planting doubts with mail in voting, and more.
Wendy Schiller offered commentary on President Donald Trump's phone call to Georgia's secretary of state.
Schools rethink covid rules: 'We're over-quarantining kids like crazy' (commentary by Emily Oster)
This article references the research and tracking efforts of, and includes commentary from, Emily Oster.
This article cites Emily Oster's national COVID-19 database to support the popular opinion that schools should remain open during the pandemic.
Measuring Economic Mobility and Tracking the COVID Recovery With Opportunity Insights (Opportunity Insights cited)
This podcast episode delves into data analyses from Opportunity Insights, an initiative co-founded by John Friedman.
The stock market is ending 2020 at record highs, even as the virus surges and millions go hungry (interview with John Friedman)
In this article, John Friedman is quoted on the current state of economy/employment saying, "The recovery has been incredibly lopsided. High-income workers have been back to full employment for six months, but the recovery has stalled for low-income workers and we're still missing millions of jobs."
Hocus-Pocus? (co-authored by Mark Blyth)
This article provides a debate on "the age of magic money" - or the idea that COVID-19 stimulus checks have altered the economy in a drastic way.
This article cites Neil Thakral on what happens when people have time to prepare for financial windfall.
Raimondo once again at center of Biden Cabinet rumors (Wendy Schiller cited)
This article cites Wendy Schiller's previously stated opinion that Raimondo's Bloomberg endorsement was most likely a reflection of unease among Democratic governors with the more progressive candidates in the primary.
This article cites Emily Oster's national COVID-19 database which collects and analyzes school data from across the country.
The Next Big Challenge: Trump-Proofing the Presidency (commentary by Jeff Colgan)
In this article, Jeff Colgan shares his opinion on possible government reform - including steering parties away from acting anti-democratically in attempt to safeguard U.S. democracy.
Veteran diplomat: US confronts China to protect supremacy, not security (interview with Chas Freeman)
In this interview, Chas Freeman speaks on the U.S. reacting aggressively to a rising Chinese power whose economic gains threaten U.S. global supremacy.
COVID-19 upended Americans' finances, just not in the ways we expected (commentary by John Friedman)
In this article, John Friedman provides insight to the economic and financial changes in American households during the pandemic.
Trump and Pompeo redraw the map of North Africa (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer penned this article on Trump's announcement that the US now recognizes Western Sahara as part of Morocco.
Data-Free Medicine (interview with Eric Patashnik)
Eric Patashnik appeared on this podcast episode to discuss the new paperback edition of his coauthored book, Unhealthy Politics: The Battle over Evidence-Based Medicine.
Souvenir Press picks up 'new framework for family life' from Oster (Emily Oster cited)
This press release delves into Emily Oster's upcoming book, The Family Firm: A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years, and includes a quote from Emily Oster.
We owe Americans an end to perpetual wars (Costs of War Report cited)
This article cites Costs of War statistics, "According to the Watson Institute...The post-Sept. 11 approach to foreign policy has cost nearly $3 trillion. Added to that are the $437 billion for medical and disability care for veterans who have served in these wars. Including interest costs and anti-terrorism spending, the cost of post-Sept. 11 wars now exceeds $6.4 trillion."
How safe are schools with COVID-19 mitigation strategies? (Emily Oster cited)
This fact analysis references research and COVID-19 tracking efforts by Emily Oster.
When Scotland Rises (interview with Mark Blyth)
Mark Blyth appeared in this podcast episode, discussing the economics of Scottish Independence and what's ahead for Scotland, Ireland and England.
A U.S.-Backed Militia That Kills Children May Be America's Exit Strategy From Its Longest War (Costs of War Report cited)
This article cites the Costs of War Report, "The well-trained and well-equipped CIA militias would be particularly valuable and constitute a formidable set of actors in their own right."
PERC Podcast with Mark Blyth - Angrynomics (interview with Mark Blyth)
Mark Blyth joins PERC director Will Davies to discuss his new book 'Angrynomics' (co-authored with Eric Lonergan).
Emily Oster appeared in this podcast segment to discuss whether the vaccine will allow schools to reopen nationwide this spring.
McConnell and Schumer need to make the most of this moment (co-written by Richard Arenberg)
Rich Arenberg co-wrote this opinion piece, delving into what Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-Ky.) and Democratic Leader Schumer (D-N.Y.) could do during the two pending runoff elections in Georgia.
Govt needs to ready solutions that will facilitate agrarian transition without hurting farmers (written by Ashutosh Varshney)
In this article, Ashutosh Varshney proposes transitional steps for improving agriculture without hurting farmers.
Trump's crusade will destabilize America's democracy for years (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
In this article, Wendy Schiller voices her prediction that Biden is expected to encounter "strong resistance during the first six months or the first year" of his presidency.
Afghan officials probe civilian deaths in alleged airstrike (Costs of War Report cited)
This article cites Costs of War, referring to the number of Afghan civilians killed in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter.
The federal government wasn't tracking COVID-19 cases in schools, so Emily Oster decided to do it herself (interview with Emily Oster)
In this podcast, Emily Oster discusses the national COVID-19 School Response Dashboard and her COVID-19 tracking efforts.
40,000-Person Iceland Study Finds Youth Under 15 Half as Likely to Catch and Spread Coronavirus (interview with Emily Oster)
Emily Oster in The 74, "The reason for [the comparable rates among teachers across grade level] is likely that infections are occurring outside school."
Trump bid to overturn election stymied, but scars will remain (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller offered commentary in this article.
Unemployment claims hit highest mark since September (Opportunity Insights cited)
This story on unemployment rates across the nation references data from Opportunity Insights, a research center directed by John Friedman.
Alumni Spotlight: Catherine Tonsberg, MPA '19
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Farmers' protest: Why agri reforms are hard to sell (commentary by Ashutosh Varshney)
This article includes commentary from Ashutosh Varshney.
Amid L.A. COVID-19 surge, 'stay-home' message isn't working (commentary by Emily Oster)
This article includes commentary from Emily Oster about her research and COVID-19 tracking efforts.
How often is COVID-19 spreading in Massachusetts schools? (commentary by Emily Oster)
Emily Oster offered commentary on the transmission of COVID-19 within schools.
A monstrous secret CIA mind control project revealed (commentary by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer provided commentary in this article on his book, "Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control."
Three nations could rule the world together if they wanted (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer in the Boston Globe, "The muse of history reminds us that everything nations do today shapes their prospects in the world of tomorrow."
Fewer troops won't end wars. Most U.S. combat involves airstrikes. (Stephanie Savell cited)
This article cites research produced by Costs of War Senior Research Associate, Stephanie Savell.
In-person school best for kids' learning and mental health: Expert (interview with Emily Oster)
In this interview with KCBS, Emily Oster explains that in-person learning seems to be better for kids, if there is a way to do it safely.
Why Americans need a stimulus deal in three stats (commentary by John Friedman)
In this article, John Friedman provides three main statistics that show why American families need additional federal aid as the pandemic surges on.
Libya announces 204% increase in oil exports in November (commentary by Jeff Colgan)
This offers commentary by Jeff Colgan on OPEC agreements.
Youth sports have been hit with few coronavirus outbreaks so far. Why is ice hockey so different? (commentary by Emily Oster)
Emily Oster provided commentary in this article on the effect of Covid-19 on youth sports.
In this interview, Emily Oster reveals her five-step process to make decisions in the face of uncertainty during COVID-19.
U.S.-Funded Counterterrorism Efforts in West Africa Aren't Helping (Costs of War Report cited)
This article was reported in partnership with the Costs of War Project.
Social justice begins with open schools and school choice (Emily Oster cited)
This opinion piece references the research and tracking efforts of Emily Oster.
Climate Change, National Security, & the New Commander-in-Chief (Costs of War Report cited)
This article cites Watson's Costs of War report on the U.S. military's consumption of fossil fuels.