Friday - January 16, 2026
Think Tanks

Here's a look at documents from think tanks

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Manhattan Institute Issues Commentary to New York Post: NY's Quest for Universal Child Care Sounds Enticing -- But Reality Is Simply Unrealistic
NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- The Manhattan Institute issued the following excerpts of a commentary on Jan. 14, 2026, to the New York Post:

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NY's Quest for Universal Child Care Sounds Enticing -- but Reality Is Simply Unrealistic

By Liena Zagare

New York's push for universal child care starts from a place most people understand, but making it a reality is a daunting challenge.

Yes, child care is expensive. Families are stretched.

Many parents want to work more but can't find care that fits their schedules or budgets.

The idea that the city or state should step in is an easy sell.

Even under ... Show Full Article

Jamestown Foundation Issues Commentary to Eurasia Daily Monitor: Russia-Azerbaijan Relations Remain in State of Limbo
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Jamestown Foundation posted the following commentary on Jan. 15, 2026, in its Eurasia Daily Monitor:

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Russia-Azerbaijan Relations Remain in State of Limbo

By Vasif Huseynov

Executive Summary:

* Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's decision to skip Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eurasian Economic Council meetings in December 2025 signaled renewed strain with Moscow, surprising observers who believed the October 2025 Dushanbe summit had stabilized relations after the December 2024 Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) crash.

* Tensions resurfaced after Azerbaijan ... Show Full Article

Jamestown Foundation Issues Commentary to Eurasia Daily Monitor: Russia Leverages Venezuela to Expand Influence in Western Hemisphere
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Jamestown Foundation posted the following commentary on Jan. 15, 2026, in its Eurasia Daily Monitor:

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Russia Leverages Venezuela to Expand Influence in Western Hemisphere

By Sergey Sukhankin

Executive Summary:

* Moscow has condemned the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro while avoiding substantive retaliation, demonstrating both symbolic solidarity and an unwillingness to jeopardize relations with Washington.

* The Kremlin's relationship with Venezuela enables Moscow to project power beyond Cuba in the Western Hemisphere, access Venezuela's ... Show Full Article

Capital Research Center: Further Thoughts on Philanthropy From The Giving Review's 'Conversations' in Second Half of 2025
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Capital Research Center issued the following commentary on Jan. 15, 2026, to the Giving Review:

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Further thoughts on philanthropy from The Giving Review's "Conversations" in second half of 2025

A compilation of interesting and insightful thinking from the last four of nine recorded discussions since July about grantmaking and giving.

By Michael E. Hartmann

Editorial note: this essay originally appeared at The Giving Review.

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Illegality, asymmetry, neutrality, intentionality, and liability

The definition of "illegal" "is straightforward," but "things that ... Show Full Article

CSIS Issues Commentary: From Fraud to the Frontlines - Scam Centers Caught in the Cambodia-Thailand Conflict
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following commentary on Jan. 15, 2026:

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From Fraud to the Frontlines: Scam Centers Caught in the Cambodia-Thailand Conflict

By Julia Dickson and Japhet Quitzon

In July 2025, a long-standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand escalated into direct armed confrontation. The fighting lasted five days and ended in a fragile ceasefire brokered by Malaysia and the United States. But that truce was short-lived. On December 7, the fighting resumed, with both governments accusing the other of provoking ... Show Full Article

America First Policy Institute: Governors Should Opt In to the Federal Education Tax Credit Now--Parents' Desires are Clear
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The America First Policy Institute issued the following news release:

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Governors Should Opt In to the Federal Education Tax Credit Now--Parents' Desires are Clear

Momentum is building quickly for the Federal Education Tax Credit, created under the Working Families Tax Cut Act, with governors in multiple states--including Virginia, Missouri, and Colorado--taking steps to opt in or publicly signaling their intent to participate, underscoring growing national support for expanding educational opportunity through private giving. With growing bipartisan participation, ... Show Full Article

America First Policy Institute: Blackwell Statement on Supreme Court Decision Allowing Challenge to Illinois Mail-In Ballot Law
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The America First Policy Institute issued the following statement on Jan. 15, 2026:

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Blackwell Statement on Supreme Court Decision Allowing Challenge to Illinois Mail-In Ballot Law

The America First Policy Institute's Election Integrity Initiative welcomed today's Supreme Court decision allowing a challenge to Illinois' mail-in ballot law to move forward, reaffirming that candidates for federal office have a legitimate interest in the rules governing how votes are counted.

The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell, Chair of Election Integrity at the America First Policy ... Show Full Article