The Gist Banning Pennies: Wise; NIH Funding Cut: Foolish
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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.
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Indirect Costs Harm Research
- Cutting NIH indirect costs hurts vital research at universities like Harvard, Yale, and Johns Hopkins.
- These costs cover essential facilities and administrative support, crucial for life-saving research.
Yale's Research Contributions
- Yale, despite its sometimes annoying student body, has fostered groundbreaking research.
- Jennifer Doudna's Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR research at Yale was instrumental in developing life-saving vaccines.
Hamas's Current State
- Hamas, though significantly degraded, still operates within Gaza, engaging in smaller-scale attacks.
- Their show of force during the hostage release was strategically staged for public image.