Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies Publications Archive

Foreign Affairs Article

Red White

Author: Benn Steil

FDR Treasury official Harry Dexter White was the leading architect of the Bretton Woods international monetary and financial system. But he was also a vital agent for Soviet intelligence in the 1930s and '40s. This article brings to bear startling new archival evidence to illuminate his motives.

See more in Intelligence, Economics

Ask CFR Experts

In light of the global economic slowdown, do you still believe globalization is a cause for good?

Asked by Fagner Dantas, from Universidade Federal da Bahia

Globalization refers to the increasing ease with which goods, services, capital and people can move across the world, which has been accelerated by advances in technology and government policies to reduce barriers. In terms of reducing poverty in as many countries as possible, there is no question that globalizationcontinues to be beneficial, even after the 2008 financial crisis. Poverty continues to fall worldwide at a rapid rate, and countries most integrated into the world economy have seen the biggest reductions in poverty. But it is also true that even before the crisis, the gains from globalization were not spread evenly. Though millions have been lifted out of poverty and everyone benefits from cheaper consumer goods and the opening of new export markets, there are still winners and losers.

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See more in Economics

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What should the red lines be for the Iranian nuclear program?

People love to talk about "red lines" for all sorts of challenges, and the Iranian nuclear program is no exception. The United States can, in principle, threaten stronger sanctions if Iran crosses certain red lines. It can threaten military action if Iran crosses others. But it's not clear that setting red lines—particularly in public, where failing to follow through on threats can be costly—is a productive course.

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See more in Iran, Defense Strategy

Transcript

U.S. Immigration Policy

Speakers: Edward Alden, Richard Land, and Eliseo Medina

As the 113th U.S. Congress considers an overhaul of the country's immigration system, Task Force members Richard Land, Eliseo Medina, and project director Edward Alden discuss U.S. policy options and political prospects for comprehensive change.

See more in North America, Immigration

Op-Ed

The BoE Is Getting "Libored"

Authors: Benn Steil and Dinah Walker
Wall Street Journal Europe

Benn Steil's Wall Street Journal Europe op-ed, co-authored with Dinah Walker, argues that the Bank of England is getting "Libored"—that is, misled and manipulated—by the banks benefiting from its Funding for Lending Scheme. The Fed, which has shown interest in the scheme, should beware.

See more in United States, U.K., Economics, Capital Markets, Financial Crises, Geoeconomics, International Finance