The article argues that the Federal Reserve's recent rate hike decision, while justifiable on inflation grounds, highlights a critical lack of an underlying, transparent policy framework. The core problem is that the Fed's decisions appear discretionary, leading to market uncertainty because the committee's judgment, rather than clear data, dictates policy shifts. The author proposes that the Fed adopt a formal monetary policy rule—an algebraic formula linking the target rate to indicators like inflation and unemployment—to replace subjective guidance. Implementing such a rule would provide market predictability, enhance transparency, and shield the Fed from political attacks by making deviations from the standard easily quantifiable.
“America First” in Africa is Still Undefined
English Summary
The article argues that the administration's attempt to define 'America First' in Africa lacks coherence—promising to avoid public moralizing while publicly shaming South Africa over fabricated genocide claims and conducting spectacle-driven military strikes. The 'trade not aid' strategy is recycled from previous administrations and ignores why private investment remains scarce: security concerns, weak rule of law, and government legitimacy issues. Without addressing these fundamentals and developing a strategic vision for Africa's role by 2050, the U.S. risks losing influence to competitor powers and failing to advance genuine American interests.
中文摘要
該文指出，該政府在非洲定義「美國優先」的嘗試缺乏一致性——既承諾避免公開進行道德説教，卻又因編造的種族滅絕指控而公開羞辱南非，並進行舞台性的軍事打擊。「貿易而非援助」戰略沿襲前政府做法，卻忽視了私人投資稀少的根本原因：安全隱患、法治不健全及政府合法性不足。若不解決這些基本問題，並制訂非洲在2050年前的戰略角色願景，美國將面臨對競爭大國失去影響力的風險，並未能推進真正的美國利益。
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