Nick Cleveland-Stout

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and public health activist, delves into his contentious Senate testimony, where he faced sharp attacks for his vaccine stance. Nick Cleveland-Stout from the Quincy Institute analyses the covert influence of think tanks on U.S. foreign policy, spotlighting their corporate funding. The conversation raises urgent questions about free speech amid political pressure, especially regarding Trump's proposed deportation order targeting student protests against Israel, revealing the tangled web of health, politics, and corporate interests.

Join Ben Freeman, an expert at the Quincy Institute, and researcher Nick Cleveland-Stout as they unravel the hidden web of funding behind influential think tanks. They discuss the Think Tank Funding Tracker, revealing how U.S. and foreign government contributions, plus defense contractor money, shape policy. Learn about conflicts of interest, the troubling lack of transparency, and how some think tanks influence U.S. foreign policy narratives. Their insights expose the implications of 'dark money' and advocate for accountability in policy-making.

Nick Cleveland-Stout, a Junior research fellow at the Quincy Institute, dives into the murky world of funding behind America’s military think tanks. He discusses the stark disparities in transparency among these institutions and how donor influences can skew foreign policy recommendations. Highlighting the dangers of dark money, he explores legislative efforts like the Think Tank Transparency Act aimed at fostering accountability. Cleveland-Stout's insights reveal how crucial it is to understand the financial motivations shaping U.S. policy today.