How the rule of law is doing globally, helping families and businesses during the coronavirus crisis, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict today.
Editor’s note: Effective Friday, March 13, the Brookings Institution is taking new steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus/COVID-19. While we will continue to publish work, our campus in Washington, D.C. will be closed to staff and guests through at least April 3 and all public events are canceled or postponed. For more information, read our full guidance here. | Crimea: 6 years after illegal annexation Today marks the sixth anniversary of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea—the biggest land-grab in Europe since World War II. Steven Pifer writes that though attention has shifted from Crimea to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in Donbas, the West should not let Russia get away with infringing on Ukraine’s sovereignty in Crimea. Read more | The economic policy response to COVID-19: What comes next? There will be substantial economic fallout from COVID-19. Jay Shambaugh argues for another round of fiscal policy that can provide income or liquidity cushions to support households, ensure broad and continuous access to safety net programs, provide incentives for employers to avoid layoffs, and otherwise stimulate the economy. Read more Additionally, Ryan Nunn explains that measures to strengthen unemployment insurance will also be crucial as the economy continues to slow down. Want to receive more of our latest analysis on the impacts of the coronavirus? Sign up for email updates here. | The rule of law is under duress everywhere “Sustaining the rule of law is, at the end of the day, a fundamental societal choice between creating a culture of lawfulness for all citizens, even in bad times, or allowing strongman rule and power politics to prevail.” Ted Piccone analyzes the backsliding of the rule of law, areas for optimism, and steps to turn back the tide. Read more | The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars. | |