The Gist
Banning Pennies: Wise; NIH Funding Cut: Foolish
Feb 10, 2025
Raphael S. Cohen, Director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program at RAND and an expert on the Middle East, sheds light on pressing geopolitical issues. He discusses Israel’s impressive battlefield tactics and the shifting power balance with Iran. The conversation touches on Iran's strategic vulnerabilities, particularly amidst a backdrop of reduced Hezbollah support. Cohen also dives into the implications of recent NIH funding cuts for vital research, contrasting this with the whimsical debate surrounding the potential end of the penny.
42:28
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Quick takeaways
- The proposed reduction of NIH indirect costs threatens essential research funding at major universities, potentially stalling critical advancements in health and agriculture.
- The podcast explores the military dynamics of Hamas and Hezbollah, highlighting their resilience despite setbacks and Iran's potential vulnerabilities in the regional power struggle.
Deep dives
Concerns Over Indirect Costs in Research Funding
A new initiative from the Trump administration is introducing significant changes to the reimbursement rates for indirect costs related to research in universities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) currently allocates around $9 billion annually for administrative overhead, which is crucial for supporting life-saving research. However, the proposed reduction of reimbursement to just 15% for indirect costs threatens to undermine vital research activities at major universities like Harvard and Yale, which traditionally receive higher reimbursement rates. This initiative is alarming as it could hinder advancements in medical and agricultural research, ultimately impacting public health and economic progress.
