LATEST ANALYSIS:
How many politicians are psychopaths?
Dark Triad traits are over-represented in positions of power. Are the halls of Congress and Parliament overrun with psychopaths? Brian Klaas for The Garden of Forking Paths.
The Republican Trifecta of Extremism
America's Republican Party is ‘drowning in a cesspool of conspiracy theories and deranged, ratcheting extremism’. Why did that happen—and how can it be reversed? Brian Klaas explores in The Garden of Forking Paths.
Was Boris Johnson really threatened with a Russian missile?
Did the intelligence and military communities know of the alleged threat Russia made on Boris Johnson? Is it even legal to withhold such information? Stepan Stepanenko explores in The National News.
Does Boris Johnson Deserve a Pass Because of Ukraine?
Writing in the Byline Times, Alexandra Hall Hall assesses the former Prime Minister’s recent trip to the US in support of Ukraine and what it says about his political motives.
The Chechens fighting for Ukraine
David Patrikarakos reports for UnHerd, telling the story of one of Ukraine’s Chechen fighters who has been fighting on the frontlines against Russia for most of his life.
Lying Again? The Many Questions for Boris Johnson Over his Support for Ukraine
With the former Prime Minister dominating the news with claims of alleged nuclear threats from Vladimir Putin, Alexandra Hall Hall puts his record on Ukraine under the spotlight in the Byline Times.
Why is America so obsessed with conspiracy theories?
The history of conspiracy theories in America has a long past, but the most worrying shifts have happened in the Trump and post-Trump era. Brian Klaas explores for Public Notice.
Schemas and the Political Brain
Understanding how cognitive shortcuts work when processing new information is crucial to understanding modern politics—and it's a facet of cognition that Republicans manipulate extremely effectively. Brian Klaas for The Garden of Forking Paths.
Putin is sabotaging Ukraine’s grain deal
Writing from Ukraine, David Patrikarakos explores how Putin is already abusing new 'humanitarian corridors' relating to grain shipments in UnHerd.
Bolsonaro, Trump, and Authoritarian Learning
Brazil’s own version of January 6th teaches us about how authoritarian networks spread despotic chaos. Brian Klaas for The Garden of Forking Paths.
The depressing durability of dictatorships
Authoritarian regimes that have emerged out of violent social revolutions have survived on average three times as long as their non-revolutionary counterparts. David Patrikarakos for Spectator Australia.
New Year in a Ukrainian trench
Reporting for UnHerd, David Patrikarakos spends New Year’s Eve in the Ukrainian trenches, interviewing soldiers and reporting on what life is like on the ground of the war.
A multipolar order in the making?
Last month, Xi Jinping’s three-day visit to Saudi Arabia led to a flurry of deals, drawing scrutiny in the US and Iran. Umberto Profazio explores why for the NATO Defense College Foundation.
Treat Politicians Like the Rest of Us
Why do we hold ordinary corporate employees to a higher standard than members of Congress? Brian Klaas explores for The Garden of Forking Paths.
Global Leaders to Watch in 2023
Kenneth Dekleva writes for The Cipher Brief about which global leaders we should be looking out for in 2023, including Putin, Xi, Biden, Zelensky and Kim Jong-Un.
Will Ukraine save the world?
With Western democracies shocked into unity, does the Ukraine War provide an opportunity to make a new, more secure free world? Arthur Snell (Project Lead, Climate Change & Geopolitics) explores on the season finale of Doomsday Watch.
Welcome to Albania’s Little London
Reporting for UnHerd, David Patrikarakos went to ‘Little London’ in Albania for a story about migration flows, immigration, and the desire for change.
Why are so many politicians like cartoon villains?
From Trump to Matt Gaetz, Steve Bannon, Lauren Boebert, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, so many terrible politicians present themselves as bizarro caricatures. Why? Brian Klaas investigates.
Black Ops and Secret Wars
On Doomsday Watch, Arthur Snell talks to veteran intelligence officers to find out how the CIA’s ‘golden age’ of fixing elections and fomenting coups gave way to a post-9/11 world where technology enables new threats – and Putin and the Chinese have the advantage.
Is America Still on the Path to Authoritarianism?
The worst election deniers were defeated in the midterms. Trump is calling to terminate the Constitution. Is America heading toward authoritarianism? If so, can the trend be reversed in time? Brian Klaas explores.