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Institute research staff offer their analyses of current economic and political events in these brief interviews. The views expressed in these interviews are those of the interviewee(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the individual members of the Institute's Board of Directors or its Advisory Committee. We welcome feedback from listeners and encourage you to convey your comments directly to the person interviewed.

Most recent interviews

If It's a Recovery, Where Are the Jobs?
September 1, 2010
Howard F. Rosen explains how the recession has exposed and exacerbated long-term structural trends hampering employment growth in the United States.

Discord at the International Monetary Fund
August 31, 2010
Edwin M. Truman explains why the Obama administration decided this summer to provoke a fight over IMF governance and how it might be resolved.

Pakistan's Floods: A Humanitarian and Strategic Challenge
August 30, 2010
Mohsin S. Khan assesses the damage in Pakistan, the prospects for recovery, and the threat to Western interests and to Pakistan's democracy.

Is the Economic Recovery Sputtering to a Close?
August 20, 2010 | Transcript [pdf]
Michael Mussa says the latest disappointing economic numbers indicate a slower pace of growth and a possible rise in unemployment, and that a return to recession cannot be ruled out.

Lessons from China's Housing Bubble
July 23, 2010 | Transcript [pdf]
Nicholas R. Lardy explains China's nuanced approach to letting the air out of its housing bubble, providing potential lessons for the United States.

European Bank Stress Tests Succeed by Falling Short
July 23, 2010 | Transcript [pdf]
Anders Åslund says the long-awaited stress test results, released July 23, were too easy on the banks but provide useful data that could strengthen the system.

Europe's Stress Tests: Not Reassuring
July 23, 2010 | Transcript [pdf]
Morris Goldstein finds that the stress tests announced July 23 indicate a reluctance in Europe to admit the seriousness of the banks' difficulties.

What the Fed Can Still Do
July 16, 2010 | Transcript [pdf]
Joseph E. Gagnon argues that with inflation well below the danger zone, the Federal Reserve should lower one-year and two-year rates to spur the economy.

A New Financial Irritant Between the United States and Japan
July 15, 2010 | Transcript [pdf]
Gary Clyde Hufbauer discusses the US opposition to Japan's efforts to rescind the privatization of Japan Post, the largest financial institution in the world.

Germany's Fiscal Contraction: Less Than Meets the Eye?
July 2, 2010 | Transcript [pdf]
Jacob Funk Kirkegaard argues that reports of a drastic fiscal consolidation by Germany are exaggerated—and the cries of alarm in the United States may be overstated.