Statecraft

Greg Berman, nonprofit leader and reformer who co-founded the Center for Justice Innovation, offers a diagnosis of today’s nonprofit sector. He discusses how NGOs extend government services and why public trust has fallen. Short conversations cover critiques from left and right, fundraising and professionalization, philanthropy’s incentives, and practical advice on sticking to measurable mission work.

Arnab Datta, a policy implementation director focused on industrial policy; Peter Harrell, former White House international economics lead with sanctions and trade expertise; and Daleep Singh, economist and ex-deputy national security advisor for international economics. They trace Venezuela oil seizure, tariff strategy versus China, export controls, allied investment to counter China, and industrial policy tools like equity, loans, and market infrastructure.

Mike Lauer, a former Deputy Director for Extramural Research at NIH and a cardiologist, shares his insights on the current woes of NIH grant funding. He reveals the alarming drop in funding rates from 60% to 10%, and how 'soft money' careers create stress for researchers. Lauer advocates for block grants, claiming they could boost innovation by reducing paperwork and allowing long-term projects. He also discusses the inefficiencies caused by fragmented institutes and the necessity of reforming funding structures to support bold scientific exploration.

Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and former managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discusses the complexities of federal employment. He highlights how federal agencies have rehired after layoffs due to miscalculations and examines the surprisingly low removal rates for poor performance. Kupor advocates for modernizing recruitment practices to attract younger talent and emphasizes the need for reforming job classifications to streamline hiring. He also outlines the importance of aligning workforce planning with agency goals and discusses upcoming tech-focused recruitment initiatives.

In this insightful discussion, Mike Schmidt, the inaugural Director of the CHIPS Program Office, Todd Fisher, the Chief Investment Officer, and Sara Meyers, Chief of Staff and COO, unveil the inner workings of the CHIPS Act. They delve into the rapid ramp-up strategies and the complexities of interagency negotiations. The trio shares lessons learned from their experience managing a $39 billion semiconductor incentive program, balancing national security priorities with economic goals, and the crucial negotiations with tech giants like TSMC. Their candid reflections make for a compelling listen!

Pierre Azoulay, an economist from MIT Sloan, and Dan Gross, a business professor at Duke, delve into the complexities of science funding. They discuss the proposed 15% cap on indirect costs, which could reshape how universities conduct research. Their empirical study reveals the opaque nature of funding overhead and its implications for research infrastructure. They argue the necessity of federal funding for comprehensive research efforts and warn that capping indirect costs may disadvantage critical, capital-intensive projects.

David Schleicher, a Yale Law School professor and expert in local government finance, joins to tackle the pressing issues surrounding municipal pensions and potential bailouts. He discusses why many pension funds are struggling, using Chicago's unique situation as a focal point. The conversation dives into the morality of bailouts, the hidden debt tactics cities employ, and how pension crises impact public services. Schleicher also proposes what a federal response could look like, blending bailouts with necessary reforms to avoid moral hazard.

Judd Devermont, a seasoned Africa policy expert and former Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, dives deep into U.S. diplomacy in Africa. He discusses the importance of 'care and feeding' in building relationships and critiques the diminishing focus on Africa in presidential agendas. Judd analyzes the challenges in dealing with coup leaders, the limitations of envoy roles, and the need for more flexible diplomatic tools. He also emphasizes the significance of balancing values and geostrategic interests in America's approach to African nations.

Maria Torres-Springer, a veteran public official in New York City, shares her insights from serving under three mayors. She discusses the management philosophies of Bloomberg and the operational strategies under de Blasio and Adams. Torres-Springer emphasizes the importance of hiring for mission and resilience, the benefits of open office communication, and innovative housing reforms through the 'City of Yes' initiative. Additionally, she addresses challenges within NYCHA and underscores the need for optimism and visionary leadership to attract families back to the city.

Michael Kratsios, the White House's top science and technology advisor, discusses key insights on AI and emerging tech policy. He outlines the administration's ambitious AI Action Plan, emphasizing innovation and infrastructure. Kratsios explains the drive for a golden age of American innovation and the need for new funding models in research. He touches on balancing tech exports with national sovereignty, the importance of public engagement in policy-making, and challenges in recruiting technical talent for government. His vision includes fostering collaboration to enhance U.S. leadership in science and technology.