Speak Softly and Carry Big Data

Do economic sanctions work? Are big democracies any good at spreading democracy? What is the root cause of terrorism? It turns out that data analysis can help answer all these questions — and make better foreign-policy decisions.

U.S. Army 11th Engineers move into position ahead of a possible military strike near Kuwait-Iraq border on March 18, 2003.
U.S. Army 11th Engineers move into position ahead of a possible military strike near Kuwait-Iraq border on March 18, 2003.
Photo: Scott Nelson/Getty

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Stephen J. Dubner/ Freakonomics Radio

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Stephen J. Dubner is co-author of the Freakonomics books and host of Freakonomics Radio.

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