Economics and International Affairs Blog

Monday, February 9, 2026

Florida versus Alabama

Florida’s Fading Appeal Is a Blessing for Alabama by Conor Sen
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-02-09/florida-s-fading-appeal-is-a-blessing-for-alabama

Asian Immigration to the United States

Postel, Hannah M. 2026. "Asian Immigration to the United States in Historical Perspective." Journal of Economic Perspectives 40 (1): 191–214.
https://www.aeaweb.org/articles/pdf/doi/10.1257/jep.20251453
Asian Americans are the fastest-growing immigrant group in the United States, yet Asian immigration remains relatively understudied in quantitative social science. This paper reviews the historical evolution of Asian immigration, focusing on six major origin countries—China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Korea, and Vietnam—to show how US immigration and foreign policy shaped the size and composition of immigrant arrivals. It then examines subsequent patterns of demographic composition, geographic settlement, and socioeconomic characteristics. Taken together, the evidence highlights the enduring influence of US policy regimes on Asian immigration over time.

Khanna, Gaurav. 2026. "From Asia, with Skills." Journal of Economic Perspectives 40 (1): 215–40.
https://www.aeaweb.org/articles/pdf/doi/10.1257/jep.20251454
This paper examines the rise of high-skill migration from Asia to the United States since 1990 and its consequences for sending and receiving economies. Over 1990–2019, migrants from India, China, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines accounted for over one-third of US growth in software developers and a quarter of the increase in scientists, engineers, and physicians. Using census microdata, visa records, and administrative sources, I show how growing US demand for talent in information technology, higher education, and healthcare interacted with Asia’s demographic and educational transformations. Policy reforms in the H-1B, F-1, and J-1 programs and sectoral shifts—such as the internet revolution and aging-related healthcare demand—generated persistent needs for foreign students and workers. Asian economies were uniquely positioned to meet this demand through tertiary expansion, strong STEM institutions, English proficiency, and diaspora networks. These inflows boosted US innovation while fostering “brain gain” and “brain circulation” in Asia.

A Cooling Labor Market

This Is Why It’s So Hard to Find a Job Right Now
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/this-is-why-its-so-hard-to-find-a-job-right-now-f18bd1c0
A ‘deep freeze’ has enveloped the U.S. labor market. A whole bunch of factors are at play.

Why Unemployment is Rising Among Young College Grads
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/why-unemployment-is-rising-among-young-college-grads-42d037da
Their skills, experience and ability to function are increasingly out of step with employers’ needs.

Job Hunters Are So Desperate That They’re Paying to Get Recruited
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/job-hunters-are-so-desperate-that-theyre-paying-to-get-recruited-44891ac2
A tough labor market for white-collar workers has turned the age-old recruiting model upside down.

Weak Hiring, Layoff Plans Paint a Gloomy Labor-Market Picture

https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/weak-hiring-layoff-plans-paint-a-gloomy-labor-market-picture-cfda129d
Ahead of the government’s delayed January jobs report, a mix of other federal and private data points to a rough start to the new year.

Job openings sink in December to lowest level since 2020
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/job-openings-sink-in-december-to-lowest-level-since-2020-151605057.html

Last month was the worst January for layoff plans since 2009: Challenger
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/last-month-was-the-worst-january-for-layoff-plans-since-2009-challenger-131244531.html

Red States and School Reforms

These Three Red States Are the Best Hope in Schooling
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/opinion/red-states-good-schools.html

American Foreign Policy and Oil

Trump’s Oil Grab in Venezuela Shatters an American Taboo
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/us/politics/trump-oil-venezuela.html
U.S. presidents have long been accused of plotting to control foreign oil. But President Trump has asserted a U.S. right to take it.