What do Iran’s elections and Trump’s international trip mean for the nuclear deal and US-Iran relations? Professor Kevan Harris discusses the history behind the latest news and paints a different picture of Iranian politics than usually seen in America.

For More on This Topic:

• Look for his upcoming book, A Social Revolution: Politics and the Welfare State in Iran

Further Reading:

• Attacking Iran's Nuclear Facilities Would Likely Radicalize the Islamic Republic's Government and Politics, Matthew Gratias, University of Southern California
• History Shows that President Obama is Wise to Retain a Military Option to Cripple Iran's Nuclear Facilities, Matthew Kroenig, Georgetown University

Quality of healthcare for women in jail varies widely, but it is the only place in the U.S. where they have a legal right to it. Professor Carolyn Sufrin outlines the policies that led to the contradictory system and suggests ways to move forward.

For More on This Topic:

• Read her 2-page brief, Unsettling Realities Of Care – Especially For Pregnant Women – In U.S. Jails
• Look for her upcoming book, Jailcare: Finding the Safety Net for Women Behind Bars

Further Reading:

• How "Tough on Crime" Hurts Families, SSN Spotlight, September 2016
• Measuring the Social Impact of Mass Imprisonment on America's Black and White Families and Communities, Hedwig Lee, Tyler McCormick, Margaret T. Hicken, Christopher Wildeman
• Promising Results from a Program That Trains Women Leaving Jail to Work as Birth Doulas, Monica R. McLemore, University of California, San Francisco

Social security, health insurance, and unemployment insurance help Americans through life’s ups and downs. Benjamin Veghte explains the benefits and challenges to these programs and offers ways they can adapt to changing jobs and family structures.

For More on This Topic:

• Read his 2015 brief on social security and inequality.
• Or find the most recent research in his full report, Report to the New Leadership and the American People on Social Insurance and Inequality.

Further Reading:

• How Social Insurance Protects Americans from Growing Economic Risks, Theodore R. Marmor, Yale University
• How to Fix America’s Broken Unemployment Benefits, Alix Gould-Werth, University of Michigan, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Columbia University

Food stamps, Social Security, and Medicaid are not the only, or even the largest, social welfare programs in America. Professor Suzanne Mettler reveals how hidden benefits in the tax code promote inequality and how to make them more visible.

For More on This Topic:

• Read her two-page brief, Why Americans Can't See Government - And Why It Matters,
• Check out this article in New York Times with profiles on who buys homes in America and the impacts of the home mortgage-interest deduction.

Further Reading:

• Reforming Tax Policy For the Wealthiest One Percent, Michael Nau, Ohio State College of Medicine
• How Republican Approaches to Social Spending Increase Income Inequality in the United States, Christopher Faricy, Syracuse University

In the 1900s, dictators rose to power across Europe as democracies fell to fascists and communists. History Professor Timothy Snyder argues that democracy today is far from invincible, and translates lessons from the 20th century to guide Americans now.

For More on This Topic:

• Read his short best-selling book, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.
• Check out his recent piece in TIME Magazine and listen to his interview on NPR.

Further Reading:

• How Today's Populism Dismantles Democracy Worldwide, Erica Frantz, Michigan State University
• How Civic Organizations Can Develop Effective Leaders, Attract Members, and Enhance American Democracy, Hahrie Han, University of California, Santa Barbara