Politics
Can the US ‘run’ Venezuela? Military force can topple a dictator, but it cannot create political authority or legitimacy
Can the US ‘run’ Venezuela? Military force can topple a dictator, but it cannot create political authority or legitimacy The US cannot “run” Venezuela through military force alone, as it cannot create political authority or legitimacy. The Trump administration’s move to govern Venezuela by force reflects a broader trend in US foreign policy that relies […]
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A predawn op in Latin America? The US has been here before, but the seizure of Venezuela’s Maduro is still unprecedented
A predawn op in Latin America? The US has been here before, but the seizure of Venezuela’s Maduro is still unprecedented The US has launched an unprecedented operation to seize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured on December 20, 2026, along with his wife Cilia Flores. This operation marks a break from recent US […]
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Americans generally like wolves − except when we’re reminded of our politics
Americans generally like wolves − except when we’re reminded of our politics Americans generally have positive views of wolves, but the perception of conflict around wolf conservation is often exaggerated by media coverage and politicians. The polarization of attitudes towards wolves can be attributed to social identity theory, which suggests that people tend to favor […]
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5 scenarios for a post-Maduro Venezuela — and what they could signal to the wider region
5 scenarios for a post-Maduro Venezuela — and what they could signal to the wider region The US military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power marks a significant shift in hemispheric politics, signaling that the US is prepared to act unilaterally and forcefully to achieve its goals. There are five possible scenarios for […]
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2026 begins with an increasingly autocratic United States rising on the global stage
2026 begins with an increasingly autocratic United States rising on the global stage The United States’ military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, marks a significant shift towards an autocratic approach to foreign policy, violating democratic values and international law. The “peace through strength” approach of the Trump administration, which emphasizes military power and […]
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The ‘sacred’ pledge that will power the relaunch of far-right militia Oath Keepers
The ‘sacred’ pledge that will power the relaunch of far-right militia Oath Keepers The Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group, is relaunching under the leadership of Stewart Rhodes after he was released from prison in November 2025. Rhodes’ plans to relaunch the group are significant because many members who felt lost since his imprisonment will […]
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Killing in the name of… nothing
Killing in the name of… nothing The death of Charlie Kirk sparked a national reaction, but it was overshadowed by online desecration. The president ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in a show of respect for the deceased. Politicians and celebrities from both sides of the aisle offered condolences, despite their differences with Kirk. […]
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Who thinks Republicans will suffer in the 2026 midterms? Republican members of Congress
Who thinks Republicans will suffer in the 2026 midterms? Republican members of Congress More than two dozen Republican House members have either resigned or announced their intent not to run for reelection in 2026, a record number at this point in the election cycle. The departures are attributed to various factors, including frustrations with gridlock, […]
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Trump tariffs and warming India-China ties have silenced the Quad partnership … for now
Trump tariffs and warming India-China ties have silenced the Quad partnership … for now The Quad partnership between the US, India, Australia, and Japan has been on hold due to disagreements over trade tariffs and warming ties between India and China. The US imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods in August 2025, which was […]
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Shaping the conversation means offering context to extreme ideas, not just a platform
Shaping the conversation means offering context to extreme ideas, not just a platform When public figures engage with individuals who hold extreme views, it’s not just about whether to interact or censor; it’s also about how to structure that engagement and its purpose. The format and tone of an interview can greatly impact its ethical […]
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Miami’s new mayor faces a housing affordability crisis, city charter reform and a shrinking budget
Miami’s new mayor faces a housing affordability crisis, city charter reform and a shrinking budget Miami’s new mayor, Eileen Higgins, faces several key challenges, including addressing the city’s housing affordability crisis, reforming the city charter, and managing a shrinking budget. The city’s housing market is at risk of a bubble, with high prices unaffordable for […]
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Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of Michigan officials shows
Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of Michigan officials shows Michigan local officials report strong democracy, but rural communities are falling behind, with only 79% of rural communities reporting relatively good democratic health compared to 92% of urban communities. Rural communities in Michigan are experiencing declining public engagement, […]
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Karoline Leavitt’s White House briefing doublethink is straight out of Orwell’s ‘1984’
Karoline Leavitt’s White House briefing doublethink is straight out of Orwell’s ‘1984’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has been accused of using “doublethink” to manipulate information and present false narratives during a recent press conference. Leavitt claimed that inflation had slowed to 2.5% and real wages were increasing by $1,200 for the average worker, […]
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From truce in the trenches to cocktails at the consulate: How Christmas diplomacy seeks to exploit seasonal goodwill
From truce in the trenches to cocktails at the consulate: How Christmas diplomacy seeks to exploit seasonal goodwill Christmas diplomacy refers to the use of the holiday season to foster peace and warm relations between nations through statements, efforts, and cultural practices. The tradition of Christmas diplomacy has deep roots in history, dating back to […]
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Deception and lies from the White House to justify a war in Venezuela? We’ve seen this movie before in run-ups to wars in Vietnam and Iraq
Deception and lies from the White House to justify a war in Venezuela? We’ve seen this movie before in run-ups to wars in Vietnam and Iraq President Donald Trump’s administration has presented the US military operations against Venezuela as a war against drug trafficking and terrorism, despite lacking credible evidence to support these claims. The […]
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Billionaires with $1 salaries – and other legal tax dodges the ultrawealthy use to keep their riches
Billionaires with $1 salaries – and other legal tax dodges the ultrawealthy use to keep their riches The ultrawealthy use various legal tax dodges to keep their riches, including paying themselves low salaries ($1 or less) and avoiding taxes on investments and inheritances. The US tax system has changed over the past 40 years, allowing […]
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Autocracies in transition: In 2025, Cameroon and Tanzania rulers clung to power — but look more vulnerable than ever
Autocracies in transition: In 2025, Cameroon and Tanzania rulers clung to power — but look more vulnerable than ever Autocratic leaders in Africa are clinging to power, with Cameroon’s President Paul Biya securing an unprecedented eighth term and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan winning a highly dubious 98% of the presidential vote. The elections were […]
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America faced domestic fascists before and buried that history
America faced domestic fascists before and buried that history The United States has faced domestic fascists before, but this history has been largely forgotten. Fascist groups like the German American Bund, Silver Shirts, Christian Front, Black Legion, and Ku Klux Klan claimed hundreds of thousands of members in the 1930s and early ’40s, promoting a […]
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West Bank violence is soaring, fueled by a capitulation of Israeli institutions to settlers’ interests
West Bank violence is soaring, fueled by a capitulation of Israeli institutions to settlers’ interests Settler violence in the West Bank has escalated dramatically, with over 3,200 Palestinians forcibly displaced by settler violence and movement restrictions since October 2023. The Israeli government’s capitulation to settlers’ interests has led to a transformation within Israel’s state institutions, […]
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Trump administration replaces America 250 quarters honoring abolition and women’s suffrage with Mayflower and Gettysburg designs
Trump administration replaces America 250 quarters honoring abolition and women’s suffrage with Mayflower and Gettysburg designs The Trump administration has replaced the original designs for the “America 250” coins with new designs that commemorate the Mayflower Compact, Revolutionary War, and the Gettysburg Address, instead of honoring abolition, women’s suffrage, and civil rights. The changes were […]
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The dystopian Pottersville in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is starting to feel less like fiction
The dystopian Pottersville in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is starting to feel less like fiction The author reflects on watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the umpteenth time, finding parallels between the film’s dystopian Pottersville and the current state of America. In Pottersville, George Bailey sees a dark reflection of his own life, where greed, […]
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Pope Leo XIV’s visits to Turkey and Lebanon were about religious diplomacy
Pope Leo XIV’s visits to Turkey and Lebanon were about religious diplomacy Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Turkey and Lebanon (Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2025) was a gesture of interreligious dialogue and support for local minority Christian communities, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The trip highlighted the challenges faced by […]
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Germany’s plan to deport Syrian refugees echoes 1980s effort to repatriate Turkish guest workers
Germany’s plan to deport Syrian refugees echoes 1980s effort to repatriate Turkish guest workers Germany’s plan to deport Syrian refugees has been compared to its 1980s effort to repatriate Turkish guest workers, echoing a similar policy implemented by Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s centrist Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. The current proposal involves offering financial incentives of […]
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Donor-advised funds have more money than ever – and direct more of it to politically active charities
Donor-advised funds have more money than ever – and direct more of it to politically active charities Donor-advised funds (DAFs) have experienced significant growth, with nearly $90 billion given to them in 2024, up from $20 billion a decade earlier. DAF donors are more likely to fund politically engaged charities than direct donations, with 6% […]
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A Colorado guaranteed income program could help families, but the costs are high
A Colorado guaranteed income program could help families, but the costs are high A Colorado guaranteed income program could help low-income families by providing financial assistance to address high housing and child care costs, as well as support older adults with fixed incomes. The cost of implementing a statewide guaranteed income program in Colorado would […]
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As a former federal judge, I’m concerned by a year of challenges to the US justice system
As a former federal judge, I’m concerned by a year of challenges to the US justice system The Trump administration has challenged many legal norms and rules, leading to concerns among federal judges about its commitment to the rule of law. The Supreme Court’s shadow docket has seen an unprecedented number of cases coming up, […]
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AI-generated political videos are more about memes and money than persuading and deceiving
AI-generated political videos are more about memes and money than persuading and deceiving AI-generated political videos are becoming increasingly common in American politics, often used to create memes and stir emotions rather than deceive or persuade. The use of AI-generated videos is largely driven by social media platforms’ algorithms that prioritize content that stirs emotions, […]
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6 myths about rural America: How conventional wisdom gets it wrong
6 myths about rural America: How conventional wisdom gets it wrong Rural America is not disappearing due to depopulation; instead, it’s changing and sometimes urbanizing as rural towns grow and reclassify themselves as “urban”. The majority of rural Americans do not live on farms; in fact, only about 6% of rural jobs are in agriculture, […]
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‘Without prejudice’: What this 2-word legalese means for the dismissed charges against James Comey and Letitia James
‘Without prejudice’: What this 2-word legalese means for the dismissed charges against James Comey and Letitia James Former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James had their indictments dismissed by a federal judge, Cameron McGowan Currie, on November 24, 2025. The dismissals were made “without prejudice,” meaning that the charges can […]
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Pentagon investigation of Sen. Mark Kelly revives Cold War persecution of Americans with supposedly disloyal views
Pentagon investigation of Sen. Mark Kelly revives Cold War persecution of Americans with supposedly disloyal views Pentagon investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly’s statements has revived Cold War-era persecution of Americans with supposedly disloyal views, sparking concerns about a resurgence of McCarthyism. The investigation, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aims to address Kelly’s comments that […]
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