When the G8 major economies convened at Camp David last weekend, the continuing crisis of the euro, common currency of 17 European Union (EU) members, dominated the economic discussions. The agonies of Greece, badly divided in recent parliamentary elections, and forced to vote again on 17 June, were at the forefront.

As NATO summits go, this weekend's meeting of the alliance's members in Chicago may be memorable if only for being the least memorable one in recent history. Of course, quiet summits are not necessarily bad summits. 

This paper explores important areas of the SEC ' s jurisdiction where attention to its statutory obligations would produce more balanced policies in the future .

The Financial Alignment Initiative has set ambitious time frames for making sweeping changes in the care offered to dual eligibles.  Will dual eligibles be able to obtain the services they need once they are shifted into these new health plans? Will savings come at the expense of patient care, or will this approach lead to real efficiencies in delivering care?

Can financial reports audited by firms of independent accountants be trusted?

SymphonyIRI reports that “57 percent of consumers are feeling increased financial strain when gas prices increase, and more than four in ten say high gas prices make it difficult to meet monthly expenses,” based on polls conducted in the second quarter of 2011. Furthermore, 49 percent of consumers plan to reduce grocery spending if gas prices climb another 50 cents. What can be done?

Secretary Geithner argued that we have forgotten the reasons that the Dodd-Frank Act was necessary, and that's why the act has become so controversial. What the secretary seems to have missed is that we have learned a lot in the intervening years. The administration's rush to judgment on the financial crisis is a case study in why it would have been worthwhile to wait for the facts.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner offers an address on the urgent need for financial regulatory reform.