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Fast Thinking

Dec 16, 2020

How the Federal Reserve just set the terms for the 2021 recovery

By Nitya Biyani and Ole Moehr

This year was perhaps the most ambitious in the history of the US Federal Reserve. To weather the financial effects of the pandemic, the Fed kept interest rates low and injected an unprecedented amount of funds into the economy.

Economy & Business United States and Canada

Fast Thinking

Dec 16, 2020

FAST THINKING: The Fed caps its most important year ever

By Atlantic Council

The Fed increased QE to unprecedented levels to keep financial fallout from the pandemic at bay. That, combined with the Fed’s move to lower its benchmark interest rate to zero, made this the most important year in the history of US monetary policy.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Fast Thinking

Dec 15, 2020

FAST THINKING: Why the new Russian hacks are a game-changer

By Atlantic Council

The bad news keeps coming about the scope of a suspected Russian hack: The US Department of Homeland Security was compromised, in addition to the State, Treasury, and Commerce Departments and parts of the Pentagon. What’s going on?

Cybersecurity Russia

Fast Thinking

Dec 12, 2020

Why Biden’s agriculture Secretary will matter

By David Bray and Claire Branley

The Atlantic Council’s Claire Branley and David Bray break down what to expect from Biden’s pick—and how tech and big data can usher in the next agricultural revolution.

United States and Canada

Fast Thinking

Dec 12, 2020

FAST THINKING: Get up to speed on India’s new mass protests

By Atlantic Council

Mass protests led by Indian farmers are presenting perhaps the greatest challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to date. The protests have drawn in supporters from across Indian society, as farmers vow to dig in outside the capital for months. Why is the new movement so powerful—and how will Modi respond?

India Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Dec 11, 2020

Biden’s Susan Rice pick shows how domestic policy is becoming international

By David Bray and Claire Branley

President-elect Biden has named one of America’s leading foreign-affairs veterans to a surprising position: as a top advisor on domestic policy.

United States and Canada

Fast Thinking

Dec 8, 2020

FAST THINKING: Biden’s surprise pick for defense secretary

By Atlantic Council

The biggest surprise of the Biden transition so far is here: The president-elect has picked retired general Lloyd Austin as his nominee for secretary of defense. Is he the right person for the job? And what does the historic selection mean?

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fast Thinking

Dec 7, 2020

FAST THINKING: The next stage of Venezuela’s power struggle

By Atlantic Council

The Trump administration recognized opposition figure Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president and mobilized nations around the world to do the same. But Nicolás Maduro is still in power—and perhaps even more entrenched after winning control this weekend of the National Assembly in an election boycotted by Guaidó and his allies. What does the election mean for the opposition’s future?

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Dec 4, 2020

Can Biden bring Republicans on board with his climate plans?

By Randolph Bell

President-elect Biden’s big plans to address the climate crisis could run up against the reality of a Republican-controlled Senate. But there’s still hope for action. The Atlantic Council’s Kathy Baughman McLeod and Randy Bell see enough room for compromise to get things rolling. What kind of climate moves could bring Republican senators on board? What’s […]

Fast Thinking

Dec 4, 2020

Is it time for a US-EU alliance on tech?

By David Bray and Julian Mueller-Kaler

The EU is getting ready to propose a tech alliance with the United States. The outreach to the incoming Biden administration comes after a decade of US-EU tensions on issues like data privacy and security. Can the two sides work together? What would it mean for China? And should a new tech alliance be a […]

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