On February 14, 2022, the Brookings Center on Regulation and Markets hosted a fireside chat with Superintendent Harris to explore her vision and agenda as Superintendent of New York DFS, a role that has implications across New York State, America, and the world. Brookings Senior Fellow Aaron Klein asked Superintendent Harris about her priorities; areas of emphasis; and her views on regulation, supervision, and state and federal roles in financial regulation. The conversation spanned the superintendent’s broad jurisdiction and important financial issues she will face, including the role of financial technology, crypto currency, and consumer protection.

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Saudi Arabia and Iraq have long had a complex relationship, at times vying for positions of leadership in the Arab World and often closely influenced by each country’s stance toward other powers, notably Iran. After tense relations following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the relationship became closely tied to Iranian influence in Iraqi affairs after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Today, both countries have taken steps to improve bilateral relations, which remains crucial for the regional order and for Iraqi domestic politics.

On February 9, the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted an event to discuss this important relationship and its implications for American interests.

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On February 7, the Brookings Institution hosted an event marking the launch of a new book by Brookings Rubenstein Fellow Tara Watson and journalist Kalee Thompson, “The Border Within: The Economics of Immigration in an Age of Fear.” In the book, Watson and Thompson assess immigration’s effects on every aspect of American life, combining empirical social science research and rigorous analysis with personal stories from immigrants and their families. The event featured a presentation from the authors followed by a panel discussion among experts on immigration policy.

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Nearly two decades since the U.S. invasion of Iraq, democratic consolidation is still elusive. From the start, the revival of civil society and NGOs in Iraq was promoted as a means of sustaining democracy through social capital. However, even in areas that enjoyed stability, homogeneity, and prosperity, the political environment has been fraught with public anger and protest. What role has Iraqi civil society played in the path towards democratization and how has it developed? What is the relationship between civil society and democracy in Iraq? Can the U.S. today support democratization through civil society?

On February 7, the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings convened a panel to discuss these questions and the related themes explored in the recently published report, "Postwar development of civil society in Iraq’s mid-Euphrates region", written by Marsin Alshamary.

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On Wednesday, January 26, Brookings Metro and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) co-hosted an event to examine how regional and federal stakeholders can leverage the opportunity of the IIJA implementation to address needed talent development in the skilled trades and other climate-related occupations. The event aimed to highlight the wide range of careers available and explore how industry leaders need to be involved in ongoing hiring and training efforts. Regional stakeholders, including higher education institutions, workforce development boards, and employers, will all play a critical role in a successful IIJA implementation. Speakers identified major challenges in implementation, opportunities to test new solutions, and other considerations facing these leaders in the months and years to come.

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Middle Eastern regimes are aggressive users of social media. They exploit these platforms against their enemies and rivals targeting dissidents, spreading disinformation, and otherwise trying to embarrass and weaken one another. They are aggressive in their efforts to undermine and punish critics at home as well. What are the implications of these tactics? How might U.S. technology companies counter, or at least reduce, these dangers?

On January 24, the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a discussion among experts to address some of these questions and examine the role that social media companies and governments play in shaping the current environment.

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After the build-up of more than 100,000 Russian troops at the Ukrainian border, the public release of two sweeping Russian security proposals, and a series of diplomatic exchanges with the U.S., North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, there are few signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin will de-escalate the ongoing crisis at the border with Ukraine.

Why now and what is President Putin’s goal? How do events in the region, particularly in Kazakhstan, impact the unfolding crisis at the border with Ukraine? How can Europe reshape its security architecture to better respond to a new era of disruption, and where does the U.S. fit in?

On January 21, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings hosted two panel discussions with Brookings experts to explore these questions.

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On Thursday, January 20, the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings hosted two panel discussions featuring top China scholars, who discussed the evolution of norms in Chinese elite politics, predictions of the outcomes of the 20th Party Congress, and what the future holds for Xi Jinping.

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On January 19, Governance Studies at Brookings hosted a webinar examining Biden’s performance during his first year in office and what can be expected in his State of the Union speech to Congress. Experts discussed Biden’s legislative wins and losses, his approval rating, and his upcoming year in office among other issues.  

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On January 18, the Japan-America Society of Washington DC and the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution hosted the eighth annual Japan in the Year program, “Japan in 2022.” The event invited senior and next-generation Japanese and American experts and officials to look ahead at what 2022 holds in store for Japan’s domestic political and economic affairs, and for Japan’s diplomacy.

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