Pro-establishment narrative

The only way to make Putin stop the war in Ukraine is to squeeze any Russian benefiting from links to Moscow. Western authorities must continue to 'seize and freeze' the assets of Russian oligarchs and family members of Putin's inner circle, wherever they try to hide them.

Establishment-critical narrative

Putin's government may be responsible for horrendous crimes against humanity in their invasion of Ukraine; however, it's hypocritical to impose sanctions on Russia but not on the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons, or on Israel for invading and annexing Arab lands.

Libertarian narrative

These sanctions are unfair and risk leading to widespread Russophobia. It's not only Russian oligarchs being targetted; there are also many informal sanctions being imposed on Russian culture and businesses. This is cancel culture stigmatizing an entire population for the crimes of one autocrat.

Left narrative

These two bills are part of a string of anti-trans legislation introduced all over the country. Not only are they hateful and intolerant, but they also unfairly target transgender youth. Gov. Ivey falsely claims that this will protect children, but the cruel reality is it will actually endanger kids who are already uniquely vulnerable.

Right narrative

These bills are far from an attack on youth. They rightfully stand up to an indoctrinating school system that attempts to discredit parents and separate them from their children. Young kids don't need to be discussing adult politics, and should be focusing on core subjects.

Anti-Russia narrative

This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after a fraudulent election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.

Pro-Russia narrative

NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.

Nerd narrative

According to the Metaculus prediction community, if a bilateral cease-fire agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine this year, it won't take effect until the start of July.

Left narrative

The stability of French politics depends on the victory of Macron. Le Pen would risk severing ties with European allies and pushing ruinous extremist and xenophobic policies, such as restricting Muslims' rights to wear headscarves in public. Her prioritizing of French living standards over imposing sanctions on Russia could jeopardize French standing on the global stage.

Right narrative

Despite Macron's attempts to depict Le Pen as an anti-immigrant extremist, her recognition of the economic and social pressures faced by French voters have made her a real threat to the current president's potential second term. She is no longer a one-note candidate, but a rounded politician, whose victory could prompt radical changes to the landscape of European politics.

Narrative C

This divisive and polarizing election process is a reflection of not only the state of French politics, but also the fundamental flaws of French democracy. Whilst voting systems in the country may be scrupulously fair, the candidate selection process allows politicians to fail upwards for decades. How candidates emerge for election is a mysterious process that often presents voters with a fait accompli winner among less impressive options.

Nerd narrative

According to the Metaculus prediction community, there is a 79% chance that Macron will be re-elected president of France in 2022.

Left narrative

The bipartisan Jan 6. Committee members are united in their belief that sufficient evidence exists to support a criminal referral against the former president. The only sticking point is the question of whether such a referral might needlessly politicize ongoing investigations at the DOJ.

Pro-Trump narrative

Any kind of criminal probe of the former president would be politically charged, tainted, and swiftly answered by probes into Biden and his family's corrupt dealings.

Cynical narrative

Unless prosecutors can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump had a corrupt intent in his efforts to challenge the certification of the 2020 election, none of this amounts to a hill of beans. Of course, there was overwhelming evidence to show that Trump lost the election fair and square, but if he sincerely believed that there was fraud, then there's no corrupt intent.

Pro-Israel narrative

This assault on a sacred Jewish shrine is despicable, yet international media have nothing to say. Access to Joseph's Tomb is restricted by the Palestinian Authority, and Palestinians regularly attack worshippers trying to visit the site. Meanwhile, Israel does all it can to ensure the protection of Islamic holy sites and freedom of worship.

Pro-Palestine narrative

Islamic holy sites are regularly attacked and vandalized by Israeli settlers. When a few Palestinians react to settler violence and brutal occupation by attacking Jewish sites, they are fully prosecuted. However, when Israeli settlers desecrate Islamic shrines, they are protected by the occupation police and by the army.

Right narrative

This rule change is backed by some of America's most prominent far-left activists and will encroach on the constitutional gun rights of US citizens, especially the long-held practice of consumers legally assembling firearms.

Left narrative

Untraceable ghost guns have been used in an escalating number of shootings in the US. The DoJ must act quickly to regulate the manufacturing process and pass the legislation needed to protect Americans from gun crime.

Left narrative

Elon Musk is not capable of acting as a fiduciary to anyone but himself. He violated SEC rules to pad his own profit as he bought up his 9.2% stake in Twitter, just like he used Twitter to pump up the stock price of his other businesses.

Right narrative

Musk is a true proponent of free speech, which he recognizes is absolutely essential to a functioning democracy. He knows all too well that big tech and mainstream media are dominated by rich people who use them to advance their own political objectives. He was simply trying to use his leverage as an investor to make Twitter adhere to its own policies and stir the pot a bit.

Cynical narrative

We haven't heard the last of the Musk and Twitter saga. By refusing a seat on the board, Musk was able to change his status with the SEC, a move that will allow him to continue to enlarge his stake in the company and to pursue real reforms.

Left narrative

The indictment was an affront to reproductive justice. The DA was clear that Herrera cannot and should not be prosecuted for the allegations she faces. All Texas' draconian laws are doing is violating women's constitutional rights and making them afraid of seeking healthcare.

Right narrative

Herrera intentionally caused an individual's death through self-induced abortion, so her actions were in direct conflict with Texas law. Both the Texas State Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court have upheld the legality of the Sept. 'Heartbeat' bill.

Nerd narrative

According to the Metaculus prediction community, there's a 60% chance Roe v. Wade will be overturned by the Supreme Court during 2022.

Left narrative

In reopening the city and loosening restrictions, everyone knew we'd have to live with increased transmission. But because of tests, vaccines and anti-viral treatments, the mayor is doing well and severe cases and hospitalizations remain low.

Right narrative

The mayor's hypocrisy knows no bounds. Even as he deals with his own breakthrough case, he refuses to rehire city workers who were fired for refusing a vaccine that's been proven to not stop infection or transmission of the virus.

Progressive narrative

While governments around the country are loosening restrictions, COVID continues to be a threat. Policies have to do a better job protecting those most at risk and make sure they're not left behind or harmed.

Establishment-critical narrative

Not only was the referendum an ego-boosting and money-wasting stunt, but it also attacks the legitimacy of the INE - the national autonomous electoral authority - which was key to ending autocratic rule in the country. AMLO and his supporters attempted to undermine democracy in Mexico by disobeying the rules and accusing the INE of not promoting the referendum.

Pro-establishment narrative

Referendums are crucial for strengthening Mexico's democracy by holding executive power accountable during the year presidential term. Future presidents should continue to promote recall votes; remaining in office without being backed by the nation may be legal but it's not democratic.