Biden’s Yemen Opportunity, Political Strength of Social Programs, and More

June 29, 2022

A houthi supporter carries a weapon during a protest against USA and Saudi Arabia.

Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia is a chance to end the war in Yemen

President Biden has stated that ending the war in Yemen is a top priority. His upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia will give him an opportunity to do just that. Bruce Riedel calls on Biden to use the leverage he has available to extend the ceasefire permanently and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe from stretching on any further.

What affects the political strength of social programs?

There is a popular narrative that U.S. social programs targeted by income fare poorly politically and tend to be cut or eliminated over time, while universal programs are viewed as stronger performers. A new paper from Robert Greenstein examines federal programs from the last four decades and puts this narrative to the test.

Vibrant coral reef with various species of fish and sea creatures

The Great Blue Wall Initiative: At the nexus of climate change, nature conservation, and the blue economy

The West Indian Ocean (WIO) region hosts important coastal ecosystems and an abundance of marine life, while also supporting the economies of communities along the eastern shores of Africa. From sea level rise and storm surges to gas exploration and illegal fishing, Nassim Oulmane and Thomas Sberna outline the growing threats to biodiversity in the WIO region and discuss an ambitious new initiative which aims to address these issues.