Harvard Kennedy School

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a graduate and professional school that brings together students, scholars, and practitioners who combine thought and action to make the world a better place. Our mission is to improve public policy and public leadership across the United States and around the world so that people can lead safer, freer, and more prosperous lives. Harvard Kennedy School teaches current and future leaders the skills they need to effectively advance the public purpose in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Our renowned faculty and trailblazing research centers pioneer bold new ideas. And as the most international school at Harvard, we convene global leaders in the Forum, host visiting experts in the classroom, and attract a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff.

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After nearly a year-long gap, the CDC again has a permanent director. James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via Wikimedia Commons

The CDC has a new director – now comes the hard part

Amid multiple disease outbreaks and intense political pressures, Director Erica Schwartz will need to defend scientific independence.
Police clear the campus of Brooklyn College on May 8, 2025, after students established an encampment to protest the Gaza war. Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Chilling effects of Trump’s war on free speech extend far beyond campus walls – and that’s the point

A persistent government strategy to sow fear through punitive measures has corroded freedom and democracy.
A satellite photograph shows construction work and buildings at a site known as Pickaxe Mountain, which is believed to store Iranian nuclear material and equipment. Satellite image (c) 2026 Vantor via Getty Images

Iran’s nuclear materials and equipment remain a danger in an active war zone

The war in Iran has cut off diplomatic efforts to limit the country’s development of nuclear weapons. Securing that material and equipment in other ways would be difficult and dangerous.
Generative AI is enabling people to swamp all manner of institutions with documents, forms and messages. sekulicn/E+ via Getty Images

AI‑generated text is overwhelming institutions – setting off a no‑win ‘arms race’ with AI detectors

People are using generative AI to flood courts with filings, legislatures with constituent letters and publications with submissions. AI detectors are no silver bullet.
Activists in Seattle gather signatures to put a social housing initiative on the ballot. In early 2025, voters passed the measure, which implements a payroll tax on high incomes to fund the program. House Our Neighbors

From Seattle to Atlanta, new social housing programs seek to make homes permanently affordable for a range of incomes

Americans are realizing that the country’s two-tiered system of market-rate housing and government-operated, low-income housing isn’t doing the trick.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks with reporters about the reconciliation process to advance President Donald Trump’s spending and tax bill on June 3, 2025. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

What is reconciliation − the legislative shortcut Republicans are using to push through their ‘big, beautiful bill’?

By using reconciliation, which was originally intended to rein in deficits, Republicans can pass the bill with a simple majority vote. But analysts expect it to lead to larger deficits.

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