Brookings Institution

How Long Can the Iranian Regime Hold On? Change is coming, but It won’t be fast.

“It is crucial for the United States to begin charting a course for the day after the fighting ends by seeking reasonable interlocutors,” writes @suzannemaloney.bsky.social. “So far, however, there is no evidence of any serious planning by the Trump administration for what comes next.”

Why Texas could determine which party controls the Senate in 2027 | Brookings Texas could become the tipping point for Senate control in 2027 after James Talarico’s primary victory and a costly Republican runoff.

Could Texas flip the Senate? After Talarico's primary win and Cornyn's near-upset, Bill Galston breaks down why the Lone Star State's May GOP runoff may help decide who controls the Senate in 2027.

What’s next for the Iran war? Experts discuss. | Brookings This week, Brookings experts convened to discuss the Iran war and its implications for Iran, the Middle East, and international security. This episode of The Current offers highlights from that event,...

What's next for the Iran war? For The Current, four Brookings experts discuss the evolving conflict and its implications for the country, the Middle East, and international security.

What is the US endgame in Iran? YouTube video by Brookings Institution

What is the endgame in Iran? Mara Karlin highlights 3 things to watch for in the coming days. 👇

USMCA Forward 2026 | Brookings USMCA Forward 2026 explores key areas and paths forward for a successful joint review and a more competitive and secure North America.

2026’s joint review of the USMCA will shape the future of North American trade and competitiveness. The USMCA Forward 2026 report brings together expert analysis on what is working in the agreement—and where reforms are needed across key sectors and labor.

After the strike: The danger of war in Iran | Brookings Brookings experts break down what the war in Iran means and what's at stake internationally and domestically.

What happens next in Iran? Experts across Brookings explain what the U.S. and Israel joint military operation and resulting missile attacks in the region mean for Iran's future and international/domestic security.

The surreal experience of meeting Khamenei | Brookings Jeffrey Feltman reflects on his experience as one of the only Americans to meet Iran's now-deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Jeffrey Feltman reflects on being one of the few Americans ever to meet Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—offering insights into how Khamenei viewed Iran’s place in the world.

Iran’s uprising: What’s the endgame? | Brookings In recent days, the Iranian regime has conducted an unprecedented and bloody crackdown on protests across Iran. In this episode, Brookings Fellow Aslı Aydıntaşbaş is joined by two Iran experts, vice p...

Listen to the full episode on Iran from January here: www.brookings.edu/articles/ira...

What happens if the US takes out Khamenei? YouTube video by Brookings Institution

In January on the Current podcast, @asliaydintasbas.bsky.social asked Iran expert Suzanne Maloney what would happen if Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei died in a U.S. bombing campaign. Watch part of their discussion 👇

Toward a new era for US-Africa trade | Brookings Following the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on February 3, 2026, host Landry Signé kicks off the fifth season of Foresight Africa podcast with a conversation on the ...

Season 5 of the Foresight Africa podcast launched this week 🎉 Hosted by Landry Signé, this season goes beyond the headlines to unpack the forces shaping U.S.-Africa relations—from critical minerals to energy security, trade, and emerging technologies.

Listen to the first episode 🎧

War in Iran: What happens next? | Brookings On March 3, Brookings scholars will discuss tensions between the United States and Iran.

On Tuesday, tune in to a discussion with Brookings foreign policy experts on the strikes on Iran and implications for international security. Register at the link below to get a reminder.

From the halls of the Munich Security Conference | Brookings With the annual Munich Security Conference now wrapped, Brookings expert Constanze  Stelzenmüller brings back insights from the conversations that unfolded on the ground. In her conversation with  Asl...

What were the big takeaways from this year’s Munich Security Conference? For The Current, Constanze Stelzenmüller talks with Aslı Aydıntaşbaş about the issues dominating conversations among global leaders and what they signal for today’s geopolitical landscape.

Is the US dollar's reserve currency status eroding? | Brookings Robin Brooks analyzes changes in the U.S. dollar's reserve currency status during the second Trump administration.

My @brookings.edu blog on whether US reserve currency status is eroding. There’s no sign the recent fall in the Dollar is accompanied by foreign reserve managers bailing on the greenback. There simply aren’t any viable alternatives and that sadly includes the Euro…
www.brookings.edu/articles/is-...

Brookings experts on the Supreme Court's tariff decision | Brookings Experts discuss the legal, economic, fiscal, and geopolitical implications of the Supreme Courts' recent tariff decision.

While the Supreme Court's tariff decision reshapes a key tool of U.S. trade strategy, it does not end the tariff debate. Scholars across Brookings unpack the legal, economic, fiscal, and geopolitical implications of the decision.

Trump relies on showmanship and base appeal in State of the Union address | Brookings President Trump's State of the Union address may energize his base, but it largely failed to address many of the top issues Americans face.

“The 2026 State of the Union ended as it began: focused on the administration’s specific supporters and policies without a broader appeal to national unity around founding principles.”

From skills to jobs: Building clearer pathways to good work | Brookings Join the Brookings Institution on February 26th for a discussion with Rahm Emanuel on how education systems and labor market institutions can support students and workers.

Tomorrow, join Brookings and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Chicago’s 55th Mayor @rahmemanuel.bsky.social for a conversation on making pathways from school to good jobs clearer and more accessible for all learners and workers.

Watch online or join in person 👇

Four reasons Trump's economic agenda hasn’t tanked the economy | Brookings

Why has the U.S. economy remained stable despite unprecedented tariffs and policy changes by the Trump administration? Ben Harris offers four possible explanations for why economic predictions were wrong.

What price for peace in Ukraine? | Brookings Four years since Russia’s invasion, Brookings experts answer questions about prospects for an end to the war and support for Ukraine.

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense human and strategic costs. Eleven experts from across Brookings explore the war’s trajectory and what pathways to a durable peace may remain.

What’s the state of our Union? | Brookings The first State of the Union address of President Trump's second term is coming up, but Brookings scholars aren't waiting for the speech to take the country's pulse. In this episode, E.J. Dionne asks ...

Ahead of President Trump's State of the Union address, E.J. Dionne sits down with Molly Reynolds, Wendy Edelberg, and Melanie Sisson to discuss their views on the governance, economic, and global security challenges that characterize the state of our Union today.

Now what? The future of Trump tariffs and trade policy after Supreme Court ruling | Brookings On Tuesday, February 24 Brookings will host an event to discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling invalidating the IEEPA tariffs.

Following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, how will President Trump's trade strategy shift? Join Brookings tomorrow for an expert panel on the future of U.S. trade policy and what comes next. Register to watch online 👇

Turning the data center boom into long-term, local prosperity | Brookings Local leaders are questioning the credibility of Big Tech’s promises of spillover effects that will produce high-quality economic development beyond near-term construction.

As data center projects expand, and community opposition grows, leaders are rethinking how they negotiate with tech firms. Daniel Goetzel, Mark Muro, and Shriya Methkupally offer a playbook to turn the data center boom into lasting local prosperity.

The credential boom is here, but which ones actually help workers? | Brookings Marcela Escobari and Ian Seyal break down which non‑degree credentials truly pay off and how better accountability can help workers advance.

As demand for non‑degree credentials grows, which programs actually improve workers’ earnings? Drawing on 156M+ U.S. resumes, Marcela Escobari and Ian Seyal identify which credentials deliver real economic value—and how policymakers can direct funding to strengthen worker mobility.

We asked Americans how they felt about their interracial interactions. The answers may surprise you. | Brookings

A new Brookings–Gallup survey shows strong interracial connection in daily life: 80%+ say race isn’t important in choosing friends or business partners, and most have friends of another race. “People are not as committed to division as their feeds may suggest.”

Reduced immigration slowed population growth for the nation and most states, new census data show | Brookings New census estimates show that declining immigration has already exerted a negative impact on population growth in most parts of the country.

Reduced immigration has played a major role in slowing U.S. population growth.

William Frey examines how recent declines are reshaping demographic trends nationwide, with most states experiencing slower, or negative, growth.

Stiffening European sanctions against the Russian oil trade | Brookings A proposal for European sanction actions against Russia without causing significant increases in the price of oil.

As the war with Russia continues, Ukraine has increasingly looked to Europe for support. Brookings experts propose better-coordinated, legally stronger enforcement against Russia's "shadow fleet" and ways to increase pressure on Moscow’s main source of war funding—its energy revenues.

A key intelligence law expires in April and the path for reauthorization is unclear | Brookings Stephanie Pell explains FISA Section 702 and discusses the politics of its reauthorization in 2026 as its sunset date approaches.

The upcoming expiration of Section 702 provides Congress with an opportunity to focus on surveillance reform more broadly, writes Stephanie Pell. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-key-intelligence-law-expires-in-april-and-the-path-for-reauthorization-is-unclear/

How the Big Beautiful Bill hurts the care economy OBBBA has reshaped immigration policy, cutting benefits and raising barriers that strain caregivers and the care economy.

"The immigration provisions of the OBBBA raise an immediate question: How will the nation’s care economy survive if immigrants are restricted from providing caregiving work?"

Racial cooperation in America: Why the United States is not as divided as it may seem | Brookings Please join the Brookings Center for Community Uplift on Wednesday, February 18, for a discussion about new research on the state of racial cooperation in America.

Is the United States as divided as it seems? Join us on Feb 18 to hear the results of a new study with @gallup.com on the state of racial cooperation in America.

Why community benefit agreements are necessary for data centers | Brookings Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West explain community benefit agreements and how they can support areas surrounding data centers.

As data centers expand, concerns around jobs, privacy, security, and community impact fuel a growing "techlash." Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West outline how legally binding community benefit agreements can bring transparency to data‑center costs, risks, and local benefits.

Back to the future? British politics in 2026 | Brookings The roots of Britain's current political moment long predate recent crises over Brexit or Conservative governmental instability.

"What we are witnessing is the culmination of decades of growing frustration and dissatisfaction." Anand Menon explains what's happening in UK politics.