Catherine Judge, a financial regulation expert from Columbia Law School, discusses how the upcoming U.S. elections impact economic policies and investor behavior. John Hamry, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, analyzes the complexities of U.S. defense spending. Andy Lowry, CEO of Epirus, shares insights on innovation in defense technology. Jonathan Levin from Chainalysis talks about using tech against cybercrime. Jeff Rosen highlights challenges in combating high-tech crime, while Tamiya Nagy emphasizes leveraging technology to fight human trafficking.
Voters face crucial economic choices in the upcoming elections, impacting inflation management and overall business regulations on Wall Street.
The U.S. defense industry highlights the need for modernized spending strategies and technologies to address evolving global threats.
Deep dives
U.S. Economic Choices and Inflation
Voters in the U.S. are confronted with a significant decision regarding their presidential candidates and economic policies, particularly in the arena of inflation management. One candidate aims to maintain existing systems, while the other proposes extensive transformations to the economic landscape. Recent data reveals that the U.S. economy rebounded impressively post-pandemic, with job creation nearing seven million and unemployment dropping to 3.4 percent during Joe Biden's presidency. As inflation has stabilized to an annual rate of 2.2 percent, the implications of these choices extend beyond domestic concerns, influencing global economic perspectives, particularly on Wall Street.
Regulatory Environment and Corporate Taxes
Business leaders express a strong desire for a regulatory environment that enables efficient operations, which they view as crucial for harnessing American business vitality. The ongoing discussions surrounding corporate tax rates, particularly the 21 percent established under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, are pivotal in shaping the future of economic policy. The Business Roundtable's members have voiced apprehensions about potential changes to taxes, as historical data suggests significant economic lift in the aftermath of tax reforms. There is a shared belief that broad-based taxes, especially those proposed by political leaders, could harm the economy and disproportionately affect lower-income households.
Defense Spending and Military Effectiveness
The conversation around U.S. defense spending emphasizes the need for both adequate funding and wise expenditure of resources. Despite spending nearly a trillion dollars annually, analysis indicates that U.S. military spending as a percentage of GDP has decreased significantly since the 1980s, raising concerns about efficiency and effectiveness. Experts argue for a shift towards investing in affordable technologies and modernizing procurement processes to meet new warfare realities. As the nature of conflict evolves, particularly with regards to threats like China, there is a consensus on the necessity for rapid adaptation and reform in defense strategy.
Combating Cybercrime Through Technology
Law enforcement agencies are increasingly leveraging technology to combat crimes such as human trafficking and cybercrime amid rising illegal activities facilitated by digital tools. Historically, high-tech crimes have adapted alongside technological advances, necessitating a coordinated response that involves both public agencies and private firms focused on tracking illicit financial activities. Significant financial losses from scams, like the prominent 'pig butchering' scam, demonstrate the urgent need for active intervention and recovery efforts to aid victims. Innovations such as blockchain analysis and AI are being utilized to trace criminal activity, recover funds, and enhance the efficacy of law enforcement.
This week, we look at the economic decisions facing voters in the upcoming US elections, the business behind the US defense industry, and the people and companies trying to claw back money from cyber criminals. Plus, we speak with Broadway producer Daryl Roth and director Susan Stroman about storytelling, and what it takes to put a show on the world's most famous stages.