Errors in Unemployment Numbers, the Looming Israel Annexation, and More

July 1, 2020

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 economic downturn, Americans have been closely monitoring U.S. unemployment numbers. However, there have been some unusual patterns in the data that complicate the picture. Lauren Bauer, Wendy Edelberg, Jimmy O’Donnell, and Jay Shambaugh explore potential misclassification errors in the reported unemployment rates.

As Israel finalizes its plans for annexing parts of the West Bank, it has faced both international opposition and a divided Trump administration, which released its own Middle East plan in February. Shibley Telhami highlights new U.S. polling on the issue, noting that while it is not top of mind for most American voters, it could energize Democratic critics of Israel further.

“The Republican and the Democratic parties are taking on not only different ideological casts but different characters, in ways that may make the GOP the more disruptive, volatile party for years to come.” Raymond J. La Raja and Jonathan Rauch examine the trends of insurgent candidacies in the GOP and Democratic Party and what they mean for governance.

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