Pro-establishment narrative

This move is intended to help Ukraine hold onto the Kursk region — an important bargaining chip in any upcoming negotiations. The decision was triggered by Putin's escalation of deploying thousands of North Korean troops into the conflict.

Pro-Ukraine narrative

This request has long been part of Ukraine's plan for victory. However, words on this decision have little impact — its weight and consequences will be felt directly on the battlefield.

Pro-Russia narrative

This reckless move by the US, UK, and France marks their direct participation in the conflict and is bound to have catastrophic consequences — including the very likely possibility of World War Three.

Nerd narrative

There's a 31% chance that there will be a "World War Three" before 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Republican narrative

Carr is exactly what America needs following years of government-corporate collusion to kick conservatives off the internet. The most powerful people in the world — from Biden to many Big Tech billionaires — are left-leaning liberals who want their beliefs to be the only acceptable ones. That will change under Carr.

Democratic narrative

Carr's nomination proves Republicans don't care about government agencies being biased. Not only does Carr want to strip away national internet access rights by abolishing net neutrality, but he'll simultaneously cozy up to his billionaire friends like Musk. This choice was about enriching pro-Trump businessmen.

Nerd narrative

There's a 4% chance that Section 230, which protects internet platforms from liability for false or defamatory posts by users, will be revoked or amended in the US by Jan. 20, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Once the towering figure of Australian media, mutterings over Jones' actions are not new. However, news of his alleged misconduct is a grim revelation that the household name is unlikely to come back from. Questions must be asked about why such a prominent figure in Australian life was allowed to abuse his power and get away with these crimes for so long.

Narrative B

Jones is innocent until proven guilty. The allegations are grave but also seem out of character for a man who has been scrutinized in the spotlight by Australian media for decades. As with any case, the legitimacy of these allegations must be judged in court before any conclusions can be made in good faith.

Anti-China narrative

While frank dialogue and cooperation will always be necessary between two major international powers, there are many concerns that now is certainly not the right time for Starmer to rub shoulders with Beijing. China continues to threaten Taiwan and refuses to condemn Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, with the incoming Trump administration already angered by the UK's decision to rescind the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, posturing toward Beijing will only alienate the US further. The UK must think twice about closer relations with China at this time.

Pro-China narrative

There's enormous potential for cooperation between China and the UK, and Starmer has made no secret that he's seeking a renewed relationship with Xi. Yet so far, the UK's behavior doesn't match its rhetoric, with trade embargoes and an increasing military presence in the South China Sea undermining Downing Street's hopeful messaging. Lammy's visit to China was a step in the right direction, but more must be done to reassure Beijing that Westminster is willing to step out of America's shadow and make use of the opportunities on offer.

Nerd narrative

There's a 19% chance that, if China invades Taiwan before 2035, the UK will respond with military forces, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Pro-establishment narrative

The international community had an opportunity to put an end to the slaughter, rape, and famine in Sudan's terrible civil war. However, one country prevented the Council from speaking with one voice. Russia has once again obstructed peace by using its veto power to allow the bloodshed in Sudan to continue. Putin is solely to blame.

Establishment-critical narrative

Sudan does need a cease-fire, but that doesn't mean that an overtly colonial draft resolution that would invite foreign powers into Sudan and effectively make the situation worse must be approved. On top of that, Britain lied that the government of Sudan supported this move. Russia vetoed this resolution because the UNSC can do better.

Nerd narrative

There is a 50.9% chance that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will emerge as the victor in the Sudanese civil war, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

This annual catastrophe underscores the failure of both state and central governments. While political blame games rage on, government inaction has left the majority of sanctioned bio-compressed gas plants non-functional. Short-term measures like vehicle rationing offer minimal relief. Sustainable solutions, such as processing farm waste, are essential. However, a broader inability to prioritize long-term action over rhetoric and political expediency hinders progress.

Narrative B

Blaming farmers for Delhi's smog is both simplistic and unfair. Studies show stubble burning contributes only a fraction of the city's pollution, while vehicular emissions, mainly from gas-guzzling SUVs, construction dust, and industrial waste are far greater culprits. However, punitive measures disproportionately target farmers, ignoring their lack of viable alternatives and the systemic failures to address their concerns.

Narrative C

Delhi's persistent smog crisis is a glaring indictment of systemic governmental apathy. Instead of addressing root issues — including fragmented governance and inadequate year-round pollution controls — politicians deflect blame, prioritizing agendas over public health. Unlike Beijing's coordinated and sustained action against pollution, Delhi's response remains mired in inaction and political infighting, leaving millions to suffer avoidable harm.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that an anthropogenic disaster will happen in China before one happens in India, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Pro-establishment narrative

Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it's in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.

Pro-Israel narrative

Israel has been incredibly patient regarding the situation in the north, but after a year of daily terror attacks on Israeli civilians, Israel has been forced to deal with Hezbollah more aggressively. Israel wants peace more than anyone, but it cannot allow Hezbollah and other Iran-backed terror groups to threaten its society in such an existential way.

Pro-Palestine narrative

These "cease-fire" talks are yet another ruse cooked up by the Americans to provide Israel with diplomatic cover to continue its genocide in Gaza and its destruction of Lebanon. Indeed, it is quite clear that Israel's political and military leadership have decided that a drawn-out regional war is in Israel's best interest. Israel will continue slaughtering innocents across the Middle East, all bankrolled by the US.

Narrative D

Hezbollah and Lebanon have experienced immense suffering for supporting Palestine against Israel's genocidal actions, yet the group will continue its noble fight. Hezbollah will continue to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression for as long as is necessary.

Nerd narrative

There's an 86% chance that de facto power will be contested in the Gaza Strip on January 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Republican narrative

The American people, as well as legal immigrants, have nothing to fear concerning this policy. After staggering numbers of illegal migrants have poured into the country, the only way Trump can address the issue is with the help of the military. Instead of calling him racist for enforcing immigration law, Trump's critics should spend some time thinking about the benefits of law and order.

Democratic narrative

Trump's inhumane deportation plan is both implausible and economically harmful. With an estimated 11M undocumented immigrants in the country, it would cost tens of billions of dollars per year over ten years, not to mention the legal backlogs. It would also destroy working-class towns where immigrants take the jobs that others often reject. Removing this labor force risks business closures, job losses, and regional economic decline.

Nerd narrative

There is a 50% chance that the average number of noncitizens removed from the United States for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 will be at least 237K, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

After a long struggle to rise to power, the NPP has finally done it and given people hope for a fresh, positive future. While critics claim the incoming government is inexperienced, the truth is that integrity, political will, and commitment matter more. These appointees are professionals who will base their government policies on expertise.

Narrative B

While it's completely understandable for the people to want systemic change, the NPP's Marxist ideas are the reasons that Sri Lanka is facing unemployment and debt issues. The economy needs to be saved through growth, not contraction. If NPP fails, the SJB Party will be ready to fix what ails Sri Lanka.