AEI's scholars this week tackled the fearful discourse over climate change, the strength and stability of our military, and President Joe Biden's lawless renewal of the eviction moratorium.

In AEI's National Affairs, Benjamin Zycher presents a compelling argument for why conservatives need to move beyond simply mocking radical proposals to fight climate change and instead engage with the science used to support such policies. According to Zycher, climate science does not support the apocalyptic visions of many on the left, so a more thorough understanding by Republicans would both improve policymaking and undermine the perception of Democrats as the "party of science."

Turning to challenges faced by our military, Mackenzie Eaglen shared ideas for improving our armed forces. It starts with congressional budgeting: Eaglen argues that shifting to a two-year budgeting process would provide the military with much-needed stability and continuity. She also warns, "The Navy is too small to meet global demand and must grow bigger, faster to compete with China." (To better understand the military budget, visit the Defense Futures Simulator, a joint project of AEI, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and War on the Rocks.)

The concept of the imperial presidency is often associated with military and foreign policy concerns, but according to Gary Schmitt, President Biden has shown that it reaches into domestic policy, as well. Schmitt argues that Biden's decision to extend the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's moratorium on evictions demonstrates a brazen disregard for the rule of law — and reminds us that being "presidential" must "include a faithful adherence to the rule of law and the Constitution."

Democrats are trying to prop up the economy with cash infusions, but James Pethokoukis warns that the disappointing growth in gross domestic product suggests that these efforts threaten to increase inflation rather than generate real growth and more take-home pay for workers. To achieve more substantial growth, Pethokoukis suggests that Congress and the president should devote more attention to creating a stable macroeconomic environment for the private sector.