Think Tank Quickies (#157)

• Richard Branson and Amory Lovins create mega think tank for clean energy. 
• Three pages of Sen. Rand Paul's book apparently plagiarized from Heritage, Cato.
• What role can think tanks play in Washington's policymaking, via Global Times.
• Indian PM Modi met with CAP president during his DC visit (Indian Embassy is a client of the lobbying firm that CAP founder Podesta co-founded with his brother).
• George Will: A "fixture in the right-ring think tank infrastructure," serves on board of Bradley Foundation, which funds Heritage, Hudson, and AEI.
• New group, Distinguished Executives Alumni Network (DEAN) to act as de facto think tank to advise policymakers and to serve as a resource for improving federal government.
• Diplomat and think tank-circuit figure Robin Raphel, under investigation by FBI, is defended by lontime friend Ellen Laipson, head of the Stimson Center; former college boyfriend shared house with Strobe Talbott, who is now head of Brookings.
• The role of think tanks in the EU policy process remains largely uncharted territory for political scientists.
• Via Jamestown Foundation: Building think tanks with Chinese characteristics.
• Linking think tank performance, decisions, and context.