Briefs

China and the United States are long-time trade partners that are ideologically opposed, creating a complicated and convoluted relationship that political leaders are struggling to untangle. How is China attempting to influence politics in the United States? Is TikTok a concern? How does the U.S. stack up to China? This Brief breaks down the influence of China on the United States and in your life, as well as the larger implications of the U.S.-China relationship.

The way processing systems function means personal data online is part of regular life, as are the dangers that come with it. What exactly are the dangers of unprotected data? What are the roles of citizens, businesses, and the government when it comes to technology and data? How can these stakeholders work together to promote safe cybersecurity practices and frameworks that protect data without infringing on individual rights and freedoms?

U.S. foreign policy towards activities in the Asia Pacific region has vital national security, diplomatic, and economic implications for the U.S. Read on to learn more about our allies and security challenges, and the strategic goals and implications of U.S. foreign policy in Asia, in particular with respect to China and North Korea.

The U.S. has long served as a pillar of global security and stability, promoting democracy and prosperity and opposing human rights abuses and repressive rogue regimes. Read on for more about the specific national security threats that face the U.S. in the Middle East, a region that has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, and home to both some of our most important allies and most pressing challenges.

It’s difficult to believe that any form of human trafficking could happen in our own backyards, but it does. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are victims of human trafficking around the world, and tens of thousands are victims right here in the United States. Furthermore, because trafficking is frequently underreported, these estimates most likely represent only a small fraction of the actual cases. This brief presents an overview of human trafficking and what is being done around the world and here in the United States to combat this global challenge.

“We are a nation of immigrants.”
No doubt you have heard that well-known saying describing the rich tradition of people arriving from all over the world onto our shores to find opportunity and forge a new life of prosperity. Immigration has become a highly charged topic with various views on who should be allowed entry and what the appropriate immigration levels are for our country. In this Policy Circle Brief, we provide an overview of this issue, define some key terminology, look at the history of immigration policy, analyze the numbers from over the years, outline varying views, explore areas of future reform, and identify resources to learn more.

A series of crises around the globe - from Afghanistan and Ukraine to Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela - have resulted in the largest refugee population since WWII. America's refugee policies are a key component of our immigration laws, which are frequently debated but rarely updated in meaningful ways. How does the U.S. welcome and support individuals and families that arrive in the U.S. seeking to build new lives? What are the legal differences between a refugee and an asylum seeker? How has the refugee population grown and changed in recent decades? What roles do businesses, communities, and nonprofits play in supporting these groups? What role does the government and legal system play in shaping existing policies and the path forward? What can citizens do to address refugee crises?

The same word has been used to describe China, the former U.S.S.R., Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Sweden, Iceland, and Denmark: Socialism. Today, it has entered policy discussions in the United States. What exactly is socialism? What do people mean when they talk about socialism?

In the 1950s, Venezuela was the fourth wealthiest country in the world. Today, Venezuela is poorer than before the 1920s, its infrastructure is deteriorating, and its economy has been shrinking since the turn of the century. Hyperinflation (out-of-control price increases) has left the currency worthless and made it almost impossible for Venezuelans to afford basic necessities. Millions have fled the country’s inhospitable conditions. How did the country go from having a GDP on par with that of the United States, New Zealand, and Switzerland to having almost 90% of the population living in poverty?

Terror groups and rogue states all represent distinct threats to U.S. national security and the safety of our allies. Read on for a deep dive into prominent terror groups and rogue states, their impacts locally and globally, and responses from the U.S.