The Signal
Your loyal guide to a changing world.

Latest

23
Jan
The last vigil

The last vigil

The weekend despatch: In Hong Kong, memory is on trial. At Davos, nothing happens. + What's Elefant Records?
11 min read
22
Jan
The art of the deal

The art of the deal

Briefing: A Greenland agreement, minus Greenland. Pinochet’s lawyers return. + The post-Cold War economic order is crumbling—what’s taking its place?
6 min read
21
Jan
An age of coercion

An age of coercion

Feature: The post-Cold War economic order is crumbling—what’s taking its place? Nicholas Mulder on the forces behind the “phase shift” in the world economy.
11 min read
20
Jan
Where’s the line

Where’s the line

Briefing: Eight NATO allies face tariffs, or worse, unless they sell Greenland to America. Three Minnesota leaders face grand jury subpoenas. + Can Europe save its auto industry?
7 min read
19
Jan
The specter of Detroit

The specter of Detroit

Feature: Can Europe save its auto industry? Sander Tordoir on how Chinese competition, American tariffs, and self-inflicted injury have put Europe’s carmakers on the brink.
10 min read
16
Jan
Somewhere else to go

Somewhere else to go

The weekend despatch: U.S. allies are sorting by who has somewhere else to go. How China became so innovative while remaining so authoritarian. + What on Earth is drone metal?
12 min read
15
Jan
The difference three days made

The difference three days made

Briefing: The U.S. Senate passes on restraining the president’s use of military power in Venezuela. Uganda votes in an internet blackout. + Why does American civil society look so fragile?
6 min read
14
Jan
‘A terrain of struggle’

‘A terrain of struggle’

Feature: Why does American civil society look so fragile? Dylan Riley on why so many nonprofits and universities have been folding under pressure from the U.S. administration.
9 min read
13
Jan
On its way

On its way

Briefing: Crackdown and protests both escalate in Iran. Pushback from all directions with the head of the Federal Reserve under criminal investigation in the U.S. + How did American immigration enforcement get so radical, so fast?
6 min read
12
Jan
Shock and awe

Shock and awe

Feature: How did U.S. immigration enforcement get so radical, so fast? Austin Kocher on Trump’s refitting of a system his predecessors built.
9 min read