Narrative A

The DSA has become a major threat to freedom of the press in Bangladesh, especially in the run-up to the next elections, as it has expanded the government's powers over independent journalists and intentionally created loopholes for its misapplications. Shams is just the latest to be detained under this law but, unless the nation protests together to abolish, or at the very least rectify the act, he will not be the last.

Narrative B

Those claiming that the DSA has been created to curb freedom of the press are completely misrepresenting the legislation. The DSA imposes laws necessary to ensure that law enforcement agencies can stay ahead of criminal activity and irresponsible publishing, as evident in the arrest of Shams for spreading false and threatening information.

Left narrative

The consequences of the current opposition to gender-affirming care reach far beyond the transgender community. Access to hormones and surgery is a basic medical service that should not be restricted. Aside from the blatant discrimination motivating the legislation in West Virginia and Kentucky, the bills may impact treatments for menopausal women, restrict access to birth control, and more. No one should have to live with such a violation of privacy into bodily autonomy.

Right narrative

The trans movement has inspired a blind religious following, with Biden trying his best to be to act as priest and pastor. The left continues to use rhetoric around autonomy and liberties when, in actuality, pushing irreversible trans treatments for children is detrimental not only to them but to wider American society. More than half of Americans support a ban on transgender surgeries or hormone blockers for minors. Despite this, the left continues to turn the issue into a moral fault line against which it deigns to judge anyone and everyone.

Anti-Russia narrative

Despite claiming to have severed links with the Moscow Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate never officially cut ties with the organization, and Ukraine's Security Service subsequently found that it was covertly aiding Russia's illegal war aims. The majority of Ukrainians support outlawing the UOC-MP.

Pro-Russia narrative

While Ukraine's American allies host the "Summit for Democracy," Kyiv is carrying out a gross attack on religious rights and freedoms. If the US truly wanted to uphold liberties and democratic rights across the globe, it would not be silent on this grotesque violation. Ukraine is discriminating against religious believers.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that martial law will be lifted in at least 3/4 of Ukraine by August 30, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

This issue of social media fake news is not one of a few misinformed citizens expressing their ideas online, but rather of targeted and malicious "disinformation for hire," which domestic and foreign actors deliberately pay for to manipulate the national politics of sovereign states. This is why the EU has adopted its new Digital Services Act to demand multinational corporations finally combat the brainwashing attempts by such malevolent actors.

Narrative B

Most European countries have never genuinely valued free speech. Yet, Brussels is taking this attitude to a new level by imposing a radical censorship mechanism intended to force social media companies — through the Digital Services Act, among others — to follow an imposed ideological content-moderation policy. These laws aren't meant to protect Europeans from so-called dangerous speech, but speech that threatens the ruling class.

Anti-Russia narrative

Evan Gershkovich is a respected reporter who has worked for a number of reputable institutions. The allegations against him are ridiculous and are simply meant to boost Russia's "exchange pool" of prisoners that it can swap for Russians arrested abroad.

Pro-Russia narrative

The actions of Evan Gershkovich had nothing to do with journalism. Likely acting at the behest of the United States, he was trying to obtain classified information about Russia's military. With a strong case of espionage, he should undoubtedly face a trial and be incarcerated if convicted.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that Vladimir Putin will cease to hold the office of President of Russia by October 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Establishment-critical narrative

Most people likely don't know, but since 2010 there have been thousands of military accidents on American soil, several of which were fatal. These often occur due to very avoidable mistakes, such as inadequate equipment inspections and poor training and supervision of troops. The families of these soldiers understand the risks their sons and daughters take in combat, but needless deaths while training within American borders are particularly tragic.

Pro-establishment narrative

Despite periodic news cycles on the matter, military training deaths have always, unfortunately, been an inevitable reality of war preparation. Even as the government spends more on new equipment and training, tragedies do occur in this dangerous field. Working to prevent any deaths is obviously a continuing goal of the government, but aircraft crashes don't mean the military is ill-equipped or underprepared.

Left narrative

Bolsonaro is facing a score of investigations in Brazil, and his return will only cause chaos in an already vulnerable country. With Bolsonaro back at the forefront of the Liberal Party, the far-right could be incentivized to take extreme actions, especially if he gets arrested or disqualified from running again for office. Meanwhile, even some of his supporters are skeptical about the defeated leader's ability to make a political comeback.

Right narrative

Those who believe Bolsonaro is some evil dictator should think about the fact that his successor — a socialist convicted felon who believes in stripping people of their rights to defend themselves and speak freely — is the one calling for his prosecution. Bolsonaro understands the grievances of patriotic citizens throughout the Americas, which is why the media and his foes have desperately tried to smear him ever since he first took office.

Narrative A

This appalling tragedy in Ciudad Juárez is just the latest in Mexico's long record of human rights abuses against migrants, who are commonly treated as criminals under the country's immigration policy. As there is plenty of evidence that Mexican officials have fallen short of their duty of care toward detainees by purposefully not helping them, this incident is an evident homicide case.

Narrative B

Though the blame game surrounding this fire has put irregular migration and the behavior of both migrants and Mexican officials in the spotlight, it still misses an important factor contributing to this tragedy. While not causing these deaths alone, American border policies have aggravated long-standing problems by restraining legal entry and failing to discourage migrants from attempting to enter the US.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that the order providing for Title 42 expulsions will no longer be in effect in the US by June 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

This decision is a much-needed breather for Pakistan, as exporters will now face fewer obstacles to trade, and Islamabad will better be able to tackle one of its worst-ever economic crises. The rupee is depreciating and inflation is rising, but now Pakistan can unlock critical funding from the International Monetary Fund. This South Asian nation now can take necessary measures to end the crisis through sustainable export-led economic growth.

Narrative B

Removing Pakistan from this list is dangerous, as it could lead to a rise in money laundering and terror financing activities — especially as the country heads into its next general elections later this year. Terrorism was already on the rise, and Islamabad continues to shelter proxy terrorist leaders and allows global terror networks to remain intact.

Pro-establishment narrative

The ICJ’s ruling — which rejected the majority of Iran's case — is a massive victory for the US and the victims of Tehran's state-sponsored terrorism. Citing the Treaty of Amity, Iran sought to avoid its responsibility toward the families of the US peacekeepers who were killed in the 1983 bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut — a futile effort thanks to this decision.

Establishment-critical narrative

While the ruling allows the US to escape accountability for its illegal seizure of Iran's Central banks' assets, in the long run, this is a major win for Tehran as it legitimizes its position and fractures the US' long-held — and arrogant — notion that it's untouchable. Vindicated by the ICJ’s decision, Iranian companies that have been preyed on by Washington are a step closer to justice.