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.
Transnistria: A Conflict Unfrozen but Not Thawed
English Summary
The 'frozen conflict' in Transnistria has reached a critical turning point as Russia's loss of energy leverage and Moldova's EU trajectory create a unique three-year window for full reintegration. Since the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine in early 2025, Transnistria’s subsidized economy has faced collapse, shifting the balance of power toward Chisinau and exposing the fragility of Russian patronage. Successful reintegration will require Moldova to implement a comprehensive roadmap for security vetting and legal harmonization, supported by international diplomatic pressure for Russian troop withdrawal and EU financial aid to manage the transition to market-rate energy.
中文摘要
聶斯特河沿岸（Transnistria）的「凍結衝突」已來到關鍵轉折點。俄羅斯能源槓桿的喪失與摩爾多瓦的歐盟進程，共同為全面重新整合創造了為期三年的獨特窗口。自 2025 年初俄羅斯停止經由烏克蘭轉運天然氣後，聶斯特河沿岸的補貼型經濟面臨崩潰，權力平衡向基希涅夫（Chisinau）傾斜，並暴露了俄羅斯庇護關係的脆弱。成功的重新整合將需要摩爾多瓦落實包含安全審查與法律接軌的全面路線圖，並輔以國際外交壓力促使俄軍撤離，以及歐盟財政援助以支應向市場化能源價格轉型的過渡過程。
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