As you were
What are the stakes of Trump’s ultimatum to Putin in Ukraine? … The Epstein case: What happens when a movement to out conspiracies takes over institutions it was meant to expose? … & Are crackdowns in El Salvador and Cambodia part of a global dictators’ playbook? … The member’s despatch, Week XXIX.
Now isn’t now
Why do ceasefire negotiations in Gaza keep getting deadlocked? How did a predictable weather event result in such devastating loss of life in Texas? & How did a “truth-seeking” chatbot become a platform for Nazi rhetoric? New music from Sonita Alizadeh. &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXVIII.
The course of human events
What good is U.S. diplomacy with Russia? Can democracy live with huge laws passed by just a few votes? & Is it finally dead in Hong Kong? … + The weird end of the U.S.-China trade war. Why Americans are losing interest in news. Music from Michael Gordon. &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXVII.
War and peace
Why didn’t China or Russia help Iran? What on Earth is “the West”? New music from Four Tet, Mary Halvorson, & Amon Tobin. + What’s a pandeiro? &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXVI.
Brave new world
Is political violence in America really getting worse? Why are the ultra-wealthy buying more and larger superyachts? + New music from Neggy Gemmy, Yumi Zouma, & Buscabulla. Who is Bad Bunny? &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXV.
Turning points
What’s been holding back those U.S.-Iran nuclear talks? What’s happening to democracy in Mexico? + New music from Ben LaMar Gay and Baxter Dury. What’s so important about Sly Stone and Brian Wilson? &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXIV.
Midnight sun
Is anyone actually winning in Ukraine? Why do so many ex-Soviet kleptocrats live in London? + Music from Yussef Dayes. What’s drill rap—and what happens when you mix it with American jazz? &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXIII.
Story time is over
Member’s despatch, Week XXI: Why’s a new book about former U.S. President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline getting so much attention? Germany’s first foreign military presence since WWII. & Looks like we’ve been evolving for longer than we thought. + Music from A.B. Quintanilla III. What is cumbia? &c.
King’s rules
Member’s despatch, Week XX: Why would Donald Trump accept a $400 million jetliner from the dictatorship in Qatar? A rebel group fighting for almost half a century disbands. & A rare copy of the Magna Carta has been hiding in plain sight. + Music from Cybotron. What is electro? &c.
Veritatis splendor
Member’s despatch, Week XIX: ‘We have a pope.’ India, Pakistan, and all-out war. & Thinking about the beauty of art helps thinking abstractly. + Is Donald Trump making China more popular? How to have humane labor in an age of automated work? Music from Tenor Saw. What is dancehall reggae? &c.
