Politics
The Insurrection Act is one of at least 26 legal loopholes in the law banning the use of the US military domestically
The Insurrection Act is one of at least 26 legal loopholes in the law banning the use of the US military domestically The Insurrection Act is one of at least 26 legal loopholes that allow the US military to be used domestically, and President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke it to send troops to […]
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There’s an intensifying kind of threat to academic freedom – watchful students serving as informants
There’s an intensifying kind of threat to academic freedom – watchful students serving as informants Academic freedom is under threat due to watchful students serving as informants, leading to self-censorship among professors. A recent survey found that 58% of faculty reported self-censoring in their classrooms, and a study at Harvard University found that many faculty […]
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Supreme Court likely to reject limits on concealed carry but uphold bans on gun possession by drug users
Supreme Court likely to reject limits on concealed carry but uphold bans on gun possession by drug users The US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases testing gun rights under the Constitution in early 2026, which may split on the issue. The court is likely to strike down a state law that […]
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Supreme Court is set to rule on constitutionality of Trump tariffs – but not their wisdom
Supreme Court is set to rule on constitutionality of Trump tariffs – but not their wisdom The US Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of Donald Trump’s tariffs, but not their wisdom, which raises concerns about economic democracy. The founders of the US intended for Congress to have exclusive power over tariff-making, […]
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Searching reporters’ homes, suing journalists and repressing citizen dissent are well-known steps toward autocracy
Searching reporters’ homes, suing journalists and repressing citizen dissent are well-known steps toward autocracy Autocrats like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and the US President Donald Trump are taking steps to repress criticism and silence independent media, threatening free speech and public ignorance. The use of lawsuits to intimidate journalists, such as Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against […]
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One cure for sour feelings about politics − getting people to love their hometowns
One cure for sour feelings about politics − getting people to love their hometowns A recent study found that people who love their hometowns are more likely to participate in local politics, volunteer for campaigns, and discuss local issues with friends. Local patriotism has a significant impact on civic engagement, even after accounting for factors […]
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Martin Luther King Jr. was ahead of his time in pushing for universal basic income
Martin Luther King Jr. was ahead of his time in pushing for universal basic income Martin Luther King Jr. was an early advocate for universal basic income (UBI) as a way to address economic inequality and poverty, particularly among African Americans. A recent study found that white Americans with lower incomes are more likely to […]
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Iran’s protests have spread across provinces, despite skepticism and concern among ethnic groups
Iran’s protests have spread across provinces, despite skepticism and concern among ethnic groups Iran’s protests have spread across provinces, despite initial skepticism from ethnic groups, and have become a nationwide challenge to the government’s survival. The protests, which began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on Dec. 28, 2025, have evolved to include minority groups, including Kurds, […]
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International aid groups are dealing with the pain of slashed USAID funding by cutting staff, localizing and coordinating better
International aid groups are dealing with the pain of slashed USAID funding by cutting staff, localizing and coordinating better International aid groups are struggling to cope with the significant cuts in US foreign aid spending, which has resulted in the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and a 60% decrease in global […]
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How is China viewing US actions in Venezuela – an affront, an opportunity or a blueprint?
How is China viewing US actions in Venezuela – an affront, an opportunity or a blueprint? China’s response to the US capture of Nicolás Maduro has been one of condemnation, but behind closed doors, Beijing is likely weighing the implications for its policy in Latin America and considering how to counter US actions. China has […]
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Googoosh, the ‘Voice of Iran,’ has gone quiet – and that’s her point
Googoosh, the ‘Voice of Iran,’ has gone quiet – and that’s her point Googoosh, known as the “Voice of Iran,” has gone quiet due to her refusal to sing until her country is rescued from the current political turmoil. Googoosh’s silence is a conscious political gesture that draws its force from her singular position in […]
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DOJ criminal probe highlights risk of Fed losing independence – a central bank scholar explains what’s at stake
DOJ criminal probe highlights risk of Fed losing independence – a central bank scholar explains what’s at stake The Department of Justice’s criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has raised concerns over the independence of the central bank, highlighting a unique moment in American history. The Fed’s independence comes in two forms: legal […]
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Building ‘beloved community’: Remembering the friendship between Martin Luther King Jr. and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh
Building ‘beloved community’: Remembering the friendship between Martin Luther King Jr. and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of “beloved community” and continued his work after King’s assassination. Hanh founded the School of Youth for Social Services in Vietnam to […]
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Broncos say their new stadium will be ‘privately financed,’ but ‘private’ often still means hundreds of millions in public resources
Broncos say their new stadium will be ‘privately financed,’ but ‘private’ often still means hundreds of millions in public resources The Denver Broncos’ new stadium will be “privately financed,” but this term often still means hundreds of millions in public resources are involved. Private financing arrangements can mask public dollars, making projects appear more enticing […]
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Before Venezuela’s oil, there were Guatemala’s bananas
Before Venezuela’s oil, there were Guatemala’s bananas The Trump administration’s desire for unfettered access to Venezuela’s oil has overshadowed conventional foreign policy objectives, such as combating drug trafficking or bolstering democracy and regional stability. The US military strike that seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, is reminiscent of the CIA-backed coup in […]
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American farmers, who once fed the world, face a volatile global market with diminishing federal backing
American farmers, who once fed the world, face a volatile global market with diminishing federal backing American farmers, who once fed the world, face a volatile global market with diminishing federal backing. The US government’s role in supporting American farmers through international trade and diplomacy has frayed since the end of the Cold War, with […]
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3 ways US actions in Venezuela violated international law
3 ways US actions in Venezuela violated international law US actions in Venezuela have been labeled as unlawful by heads of state, policymakers, and international law scholars due to violations of international law. The US has broken several laws, including the prohibition on using force under Article 2(4) of the UN charter, and violating the […]
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12 ways the Trump administration dismantled civil rights law and the foundations of inclusive democracy in its first year
12 ways the Trump administration dismantled civil rights law and the foundations of inclusive democracy in its first year The Trump administration has taken a series of connected actions to weaken federal civil rights law and dismantle inclusive democracy in its first year, including shutting down or sharply cutting funding for programs aimed at reducing […]
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‘Neither Gaza nor Lebanon!’ Iranian unrest is about more than the economy − protesters reject the Islamic Republic’s whole rationale
‘Neither Gaza nor Lebanon!’ Iranian unrest is about more than the economy − protesters reject the Islamic Republic’s whole rationale The recent Iranian unrest is not just about economic hardship, but also about rejecting the Islamic Republic’s whole rationale and its support for foreign conflicts. The slogan “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I sacrifice my life […]
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With less charitable giving flowing directly to charities, a tax policy scholar suggests some policy fixes
With less charitable giving flowing directly to charities, a tax policy scholar suggests some policy fixes Charitable giving in the US has remained stable as a percentage of personal disposable income (around 2%) over the past 50 years, but the distribution of donations has shifted significantly. The majority of charitable giving now goes through intermediaries […]
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Voters shrug off scandals, paying a price in lost trust
Voters shrug off scandals, paying a price in lost trust Voters are increasingly shrugging off scandals, paying a price in lost trust, as politicians like Donald Trump have survived multiple impeachments and felony convictions without facing significant consequences. The polarization of American politics has contributed to this trend, with voters evaluating scandals through a partisan […]
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Venezuela’s civil-military alliance is being stretched — if it breaks, numerous armed groups may be drawn into messy split
Venezuela’s civil-military alliance is being stretched — if it breaks, numerous armed groups may be drawn into messy split Venezuela’s civil-military alliance is fragile and may break down if Chavista leadership acquiesces to US pressure, leading to potential armed conflict. The situation is further complicated by the presence of numerous armed groups, including colectivos, gangs, […]
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Today Venezuela, tomorrow Iran: can the Islamic Republic survive a second Trump presidency?
Today Venezuela, tomorrow Iran: can the Islamic Republic survive a second Trump presidency? Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro’s fate demonstrates that the Trump administration is willing to use military force for regime change, and Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei faces a similar threat. Khamenei’s regime is in trouble due to lack of state allies, a crumbling […]
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Seeking honor is a double-edged sword – from ancient Greece to samurai Japan, thinkers have wrestled with whether it’s the way to virtue
Seeking honor is a double-edged sword – from ancient Greece to samurai Japan, thinkers have wrestled with whether it’s the way to virtue Aristotle and Yamamoto Tsunetomo, a Japanese samurai and Buddhist priest, grapple with the paradox of seeking honor as a means to virtue. The pursuit of honor can lead people toward virtue, but […]
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Regime change means different things to different people. Either way, it hasn’t happened in Venezuela … yet
Regime change means different things to different people. Either way, it hasn’t happened in Venezuela … yet Regime change in Venezuela refers to the removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power, but it’s not the same as transforming the country’s governance system. The term “regime change” has been misused by commentators and politicians to imply […]
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Racial profiling by ICE agents mirrors the targeting of Japanese Americans during World War II
Racial profiling by ICE agents mirrors the targeting of Japanese Americans during World War II Racial profiling by ICE agents has been compared to the targeting of Japanese Americans during World War II, highlighting a centuries-old American practice of exclusionary immigration policy. The Trump administration has bypassed immigration courts and due process to detain and […]
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I wrote a book on the politics of war powers, and Trump’s attack on Venezuela reflects Congress surrendering its decision-making powers
I wrote a book on the politics of war powers, and Trump’s attack on Venezuela reflects Congress surrendering its decision-making powers Trump’s attack on Venezuela reflects Congress’ surrendering its decision-making powers, as the US launched large-scale attacks without explicit authorization from lawmakers. The US military raid in Venezuela raises questions about procedure and legality, with […]
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How museums can help rebuild trust in a divided America
How museums can help rebuild trust in a divided America Museums remain one of the few places where people across political and cultural lines can engage in dialogue, with 92% of adults viewing them as nonpartisan sources of education. Museums have a unique opportunity to model how people might think and listen together by fostering […]
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Cuba’s leaders just lost an ally in Maduro − if starved of Venezuelan oil, they may also lose what remains of their public support
Cuba’s leaders just lost an ally in Maduro − if starved of Venezuelan oil, they may also lose what remains of their public support Cuba’s leaders are facing a significant loss of support after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces, potentially weakening their grip on power. The Trump administration has adopted a […]
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Congress takes up health care again − and impatient voters shouldn’t hold their breath for a cure
Congress takes up health care again − and impatient voters shouldn’t hold their breath for a cure As Congress reconvened after the new year, it became clear that lawmakers are struggling to come up with a solution to help Americans pay for healthcare, particularly with the expiration of Obamacare subsidies for over 24 million people. […]
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