Politics
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites **1953: The Beginning of Hostility** The US overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953, leading to decades of tension and hostility between the two countries. **1979: Embassy Takeover and Sanctions** Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran […]
🏛️ Politics
What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s support
What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s support The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) is a Christian nationalist group with a vision for America, supported by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The CREC has a highly patriarchal and conservative interpretation of Scripture, which includes […]
🏛️ Politics
Violent extremists like the Minnesota shooter are not lone wolves
Violent extremists like the Minnesota shooter are not lone wolves Violent extremists like Vance Boelter are not lone wolves, but rather part of a larger network of far-right extremists who believe in white replacement and other hate-based ideologies. The myth of the lone wolf shooter misdirects people from the actual causes of extremist violence and […]
🏛️ Politics
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran US-Iran relations have been strained for decades, dating back to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. The two countries have been particularly hostile since Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979, leading […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump gives TikTok another ban extension
Trump gives TikTok another ban extension President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok to spin out from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by another 90 days, until mid-September. The extension provides temporary legal cover for TikTok’s US service providers, but its legality is shaky since it was not codified into law and has […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations The US has walked back plans to scrutinize and revoke student visas for Chinese students studying in the country, after initially announcing such a move. The decision reflects the complex and often contradictory nature of US-China relations, which have been marked by periods […]
🏛️ Politics
The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement
The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests over immigration raids without state approval recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement. President Donald Trump has activated 4,000 National Guard troops and sent […]
🏛️ Politics
The term ‘lone gunman’ ignores the structures that enable violence
The term ‘lone gunman’ ignores the structures that enable violence The term “lone gunman” oversimplifies mass shootings and political violence by ignoring the structures that enable them, such as rising political extremism, systemic hate, and normalization of violent rhetoric. The lone gunman narrative often presents a digestible narrative that absolves institutions of responsibility and short-circuits […]
🏛️ Politics
The commitment trap: How Israel, Iran and the US risk becoming prisoners to policies
The commitment trap: How Israel, Iran and the US risk becoming prisoners to policies The “commitment trap” refers to a situation where states and governments feel compelled to continue with a promised course of action, even if it’s not in their best interest. The concept applies to various situations, including unilateral acts of aggression, preemptive […]
🏛️ Politics
German chancellor’s rebuke of Israel marks a shift in state policy that has long put such criticism out of bounds
German chancellor’s rebuke of Israel marks a shift in state policy that has long put such criticism out of bounds German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, marking a shift in state policy that was previously considered taboo. The criticism from Germany hits differently due to its long-standing commitment to Israel’s […]
🏛️ Politics
Germany’s young Jewish and Muslim writers are speaking for themselves – exploring immigrant identity beyond stereotypes
Germany’s young Jewish and Muslim writers are speaking for themselves – exploring immigrant identity beyond stereotypes Germany’s young Jewish and Muslim writers are speaking out against stereotypes and exploring their immigrant identities through literature. The consequences of recent conflicts, including Hamas’ attack on Gaza and Israel’s war in Gaza, have led to a growing debate […]
🏛️ Politics
Conflicted, disillusioned, disengaged: The unsettled center of Jewish student opinion after Oct. 7
Conflicted, disillusioned, disengaged: The unsettled center of Jewish student opinion after Oct. 7 A recent study on Jewish undergraduate attitudes found that many students are conflicted, disillusioned, disengaged, and uncertain about their views on the Israel-Hamas war and its impact on American campuses. The study identified six categories of Jewish student opinions: “Affirmed” (strongly supportive […]
🏛️ Politics
A radical proposal to abolish state government and strengthen American democracy
A radical proposal to abolish state government and strengthen American democracy Stephen Legomsky, a legal scholar, proposes abolishing state government and moving most functions to local levels in his book “Reimagining the American Union”. The author argues that states are the root cause of many threats to US democracy, including the Electoral College, gerrymandering, and […]
🏛️ Politics
Along with the ideals it expresses, the Declaration of Independence mourns for something people lost in 1776 − and now, too
Along with the ideals it expresses, the Declaration of Independence mourns for something people lost in 1776 − and now, too The Declaration of Independence is not just a founding document, but also a reflection of the country’s current struggles with identity and unity. The document was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in June 1776, amidst […]
🏛️ Politics
Millions rally against authoritarianism, while the White House portrays protests as threats – a political scientist explains
Millions rally against authoritarianism, while the White House portrays protests as threats – a political scientist explains Millions of Americans protested against President Donald Trump’s authoritarianism and expansion of executive power on June 14, 2025, in rallies organized under the “No Kings” banner. The protests were largely peaceful, but some incidents of violence did occur, […]
🏛️ Politics
US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it
US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it The US Army’s image of power and patriotism may be misleading to Gen Z, who are weary of gun violence and its impact on their mental health and sense of safety. The […]
🏛️ Politics
Two-state solution in the Middle East has been a core US policy for 25 years – is the Trump administration eyeing a change?
Two-state solution in the Middle East has been a core US policy for 25 years – is the Trump administration eyeing a change? The Trump administration’s stance on the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may be shifting, as evidenced by comments from US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Huckabee stated that he opposes the […]
🏛️ Politics
Supreme Court ignores precedent instead of overruling it in allowing president to fire officials whom Congress tried to make independent
Supreme Court ignores precedent instead of overruling it in allowing president to fire officials whom Congress tried to make independent The US Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump can fire officials from independent agencies created by Congress without “good cause,” ignoring a precedent set by the court in 1926’s Humphrey’s Executor v. United […]
🏛️ Politics
Politics based on grievance has a long and violent history in America
Politics based on grievance has a long and violent history in America President Donald Trump has declared that he will “bring Columbus Day back from the ashes” as part of his retribution against those who have been critical of him, invoking the politics of grievance to fuel his supporters’ anger. The use of Columbus as […]
🏛️ Politics
House tax-and-spending bill and other Trump administration changes could make millions of people lose their health insurance coverage
House tax-and-spending bill and other Trump administration changes could make millions of people lose their health insurance coverage Millions of Americans could lose their health insurance coverage due to the House tax-and-spending bill and other Trump administration changes, including a reduction in Medicaid incentives and work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries. The Congressional Budget Office estimates […]
🏛️ Politics
From Washington’s burned letters to Trump’s missing transcripts, partial presidential records limit people’s full understanding of history
From Washington’s burned letters to Trump’s missing transcripts, partial presidential records limit people’s full understanding of history President Donald Trump’s second term has already seen significant changes to how his records are handled, with the White House removing official transcripts from its website and replacing them with select videos and audio. The decision to remove […]
🏛️ Politics
Forcible removal of US Sen. Alex Padilla signals a dangerous shift in American democracy
Forcible removal of US Sen. Alex Padilla signals a dangerous shift in American democracy US Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on June 12, 2025, after interrupting her remarks and being handcuffed by federal agents. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of members […]
🏛️ Politics
Antagonism to transgender rights is tied to the authoritarian desire for social conformity – not just partisan affiliation
Antagonism to transgender rights is tied to the authoritarian desire for social conformity – not just partisan affiliation A majority of Americans support restricting the rights of transgender Americans, with 53 bills introduced in the U.S. Congress and over 900 bills introduced in 49 states aiming to limit their rights. The support for these measures […]
🏛️ Politics
‘Who controls the present controls the past’: What Orwell’s ‘1984’ explains about the twisting of history to control the public
‘Who controls the present controls the past’: What Orwell’s ‘1984’ explains about the twisting of history to control the public President Donald Trump’s efforts to rewrite America’s official history are deeply Orwellian, as they aim to suppress the voices of historically excluded groups and create a glorified narrative that reflects his own power. The Trump […]
🏛️ Politics
World’s most powerful ex-New Yorker gets a DC military parade, not a ticker-tape celebration in Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes
World’s most powerful ex-New Yorker gets a DC military parade, not a ticker-tape celebration in Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes Donald Trump has announced plans for a military parade in Washington D.C. on June 14, 2025, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and his 79th birthday, which critics say is an attempt to […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump–Xi call boosts Chinese president’s tough man image — and may have handed him the upper hand in future talks
Trump–Xi call boosts Chinese president’s tough man image — and may have handed him the upper hand in future talks US President Donald Trump held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 5, which was seen as a success for his administration and led to the easing of some trade tensions. The […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump orders Marines to Los Angeles as protests escalate over immigration raids, demonstrating the president’s power to deploy troops on US soil
Trump orders Marines to Los Angeles as protests escalate over immigration raids, demonstrating the president’s power to deploy troops on US soil President Donald Trump ordered approximately 700 Marines to Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, in response to protests over immigration raids, demonstrating his power to deploy troops on US soil. The deployment follows […]
🏛️ Politics
Sir Keir Starmer says artificial intelligence ‘makes us more human’
Sir Keir Starmer says artificial intelligence ‘makes us more human’ Sir Keir Starmer believes that artificial intelligence (AI) makes us more human. He considers AI to be “hugely transformative” and central to the UK’s defense strategy. The full quote from Sir Keir Starmer is not provided in the original text, but it suggests a positive […]
🏛️ Politics
Lafayette helped Americans turn the tide in their fight for independence – and 50 years later, he helped forge the growing nation’s sense of identity
Lafayette helped Americans turn the tide in their fight for independence – and 50 years later, he helped forge the growing nation’s sense of identity Lafayette played a crucial role in America’s fight for independence, helping to secure its victory at Yorktown in 1781 and earning George Washington’s confidence as a major general in the […]
🏛️ Politics
How school choice policies evolved from supporting Black students to subsidizing middle-class families
How school choice policies evolved from supporting Black students to subsidizing middle-class families School voucher programs that allow families to use public funds to pay tuition to attend private schools have evolved from their original purpose of supporting Black students to subsidizing middle-class families. The first vouchers were offered in the 1800s to help children […]
🏛️ Politics