Plus, sanctions on Russian oil tankers, and the potential of intra-African trade.
| Assessing the size of the US government Over the past 80 or so years, federal spending has increased exponentially. Yet, the number of America’s civil servants has remained more or less constant. What accounts for this gap? How can the government set realistic goals around reform? Elaine Kamarck outlines key information about the federal workforce and operations at the start of the second Trump administration. |
| More research and commentary Sanctions on Russian oil tankers. On January 10, the United States sanctioned 183 Russian-controlled and shadow fleet ships—the largest such action toward limiting Russian oil tanker capacity, with acute implications for Russia’s Pacific ports. Robin Brooks and Ben Harris discuss the move and its impact on prices. The potential of intra-African trade. “With concerted efforts and sustained commitment to advancing the AfCFTA, Africa has the opportunity not only to accelerate its progress towards the SDGs by 2030 but to establish a sustainable economic foundation for future generations,” argues Wamkele Mene, the secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. |
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