Policy Briefs

YIP's policy briefs provide clear, nonpartisan summaries of key national issues and policies. Designed for accessibility, they distill complex topics into concise, understandable analyses, bridging the gap between intricate policy debates and a broad audience. These briefs embody our commitment to informed, unbiased discourse, crucial for fostering a well-informed public and encouraging active engagement in policy discussions.

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Briefs harmonize diverse political perspectives in policy teams of 4-6 for insightful policy solutions.

Recent Policy Briefs

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Finland and Sweden NATO Accession

Foreign Policy

Sarika Rahman

This brief details the rationale behind Finnish and Swedish accession to NATO, highlighting historical tensions between the Nordic nations and Russia, as well as obstacles Finland and Sweden face in the ratification of their accession. Finally, with regard to U.S. interests, it outlines the measures to ensure speedy ratification and clarification and clear communication of intent during the accession process.

The Role of Campaign Finance in Elections

Economic Policy

Donovan Zagorin

When running for public office, individuals will attempt to maximize the contributions they receive as a means to help further their campaign. This brief will cover the history of campaign financing, the policy that surrounds it, and other policy options. This allows us to understand the current and desired impact of campaign financing on elections.

Banned Books: Are Schools Erasing History?

Social Policy

Aneesh Mazumder

Starting with movements from religious leaders, the censorship of media has been debated for all of American history. Including discussions of race, gender, sexuality, and obscenity, the banning of books in the U.S. has continued in various school districts and libraries. The First Amendment’s right to free speech has attempted to combat the effects of censorship, specifically with books, but efforts to keep books with various values have prevailed.

Urgent Yet Overlooked: The Monkeypox Virus

Public Health Policy

Jack Samet

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed public discourse and news coverage over the course of the past three years. However, while COVID remains an incredibly important and timely topic of discussion, monkeypox should also be at the center of the country’s focus. The monkeypox virus has taken lives & threatened marginalized communities, warranting the attention of the federal government and state legislature nationwide. In this brief, we will explain exactly what the monkeypox virus is and policy measures that governments across the country can take to counteract its effects and increase public awareness about the virus.

Conflict in the Eastern DRC

Foreign Policy

Sarika Rahman

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been the battleground of numerous political and ethnic conflicts. Recently, the re-emergence of militia rebel groups within its eastern region has ignited tensions once. This brief explains the historical significance of the current contentiousness within the region, with a focus on the strained relationship between the DRC and Rwanda. It connects the decades-long conflict in the region to the ongoing conflict of the DRC, as well as details its effect on inhabitants within the country. Finally, taking account of U.S. interest, the brief proposes the next steps the U.S. should take to prioritize long-term peace, specifically highlighting the role of aiding regional actors and entities.

President Biden’s Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Plan

Economic Policy

Humzah Ahmad

This brief will cover Biden’s new student loan forgiveness proposal in relation to its economic implications. The relevance, history, related policy options, and a conclusion about said policy options will be demonstrated.