Pro-establishment narrative

The increased pressure on Putin's regime will hopefully bring him to the negotiating table to end the crisis in Ukraine. Although Western sanctions on the Russian economy will produce ripple effects in global markets, the US can withstand this.

Establishment-critical narrative

The escalating Western sanctions against the Russian economy are in clear violation of constitutional property rights and they have the potential to escalate into a global economic conflict with dire consequences for human wellbeing. It's hypocritical to seize Russia's foreign reservers for invading Ukraine, but not those of the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons.

Narrative C

The Russian Central Bank had begun moving away from the US dollar as a store of its foreign reserves even before the invasion of Ukraine. Instead, it shifted its assets into Gold and the Chinese Yuan - moves that will allow it to continue to thwart the sanctions imposed by the West.

Narrative D

Russia is trying to prop up its currency in the face of disastrous Western sanctions by aligning itself with countries that are more loosely linked to the international order, like China and India, and by using its reserves to prop up the ruble. In the long run, this is all destined to fail and the ruble faces real risks of a further collapse.

Establishment-critical narrative

Divergences between India and the US in relation to Ukraine are proving that their friendship isn't as steady as believed. New Delhi's strategic autonomy shows that US hegemony is crumbling and that the divisive rhetoric of "democracy" against "autocracy" is hypocritical.

Pro-establishment narrative

India and the US will continue to deepen security ties despite their differences. While Indian neutrality may frustrate Washington in the short-run, they're mutually dependent and alligned in their long-term goals.

Left narrative

While new subvariants are to be expected, it would be foolish not to take this seriously. Omicron is evolving due to failures to implement proper measures. Socially-accepted terms like "endemic" and "new normal" are disingenuous as the pandemic rolls into another deadly surge.

Right narrative

It's time to accept that COVID is here to stay and learn to live with it. Goals to eradicate it are dangerous fantasies used to justify policies that impose real harm while doing little to actually stop the virus. While efforts should be made to protect the vulnerable, Omicron is milder than previous strains and not the disaster many portray it to be.

Pro-Israel narrative

This is but the latest instance of Arab violence in Israel. With Ramadan ongoing, Israeli security forces must be on the lookout for more heinous terrorist activity, where attackers may seek to damage the very fabric of Israeli life. The police have proven they can be trusted to protect Israelis.

Pro-Palestine narrative

While violence shouldn't be condoned, such incidents come as a reaction to Israeli acts of aggression against Palestinians. Israel has launched several military operations, and killed dozens of Palestinians in the West Bank this year alone, enflaming the security situation by radicalizing them to seek revenge.

Left narrative

This marks Yelp as an advocator for female reproductive rights and gender equality. It's a positive step towards fighting back against draconian restrictions to healthcare access for women in the US.

Right narrative

States like Texas are moving to protect the unborn from current extreme pro-abortion laws. Yelp, along with other companies, shouldn't be undermining legislative progress in an attempt to push their pro-abortion agenda.

Progressive narrative

More needs to be done. While this is helpful to professional, white-collar women, those on low incomes, who often struggle to afford or access care, will be left behind.

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 July.

Democratic narrative

"It was there for the taking." Once again the disgraced, twice-impeached former president has signed his own confession by arguing that McSwain should've helped him overturn the results of a free and fair election. In Trump's world, might makes right, and the only failure is the failure to use power to keep power.

Pro-Trump narrative

82% of Republicans maintain a "favorable" or "somewhat favorable" view of Trump. He remains the GOP kingmaker, and his endorsement is worth its weight in gold. It's his responsibility to choose candidates who align with his vision of America First, and that includes the critical issue of election security.

Cynical narrative

Trump's firm grip on the Republican party remains strong. But his idiosyncratic endorsements in local races across the country offer very little insight into this reality. The press should stop focusing on such messy data points and consider instead the bigger picture - the views of GOP candidates on what occurred in 2020 is a better litmus test.

Republican narrative

The corruption of the Democratic political machine runs deep in Albany, where lawmakers continue to serve as their own ethics police. No wonder that in this case, like in so many others before, it's federal prosecutors who have to bring these crooks to justice.

Democratic narrative

Conservative media outlets are gleefully reporting on this scandal, but it's worth asking would Benjamin have stepped down if he were a Republican? The GOP as an institution has become one big permission structure for ethical lapses and impunity - just look at the case of Texas AG Ken Paxton.

Cynical narrative

Sure, Benjamin resigned. But will he face any real consequences? Recent justice department losses at SCOTUS have allowed many people in power to avoid serious punishment, which encourages this type of behavior.

Democratic narrative

Florida Republicans continue to wear their racism on their sleeves. This map strips Black citizens of their political autonomy, and limits opportunities for Black politicians.

Republican narrative

The vetoed maps were a ridiculous attempt at racial gerrymandering. Florida has done a great job to wipe out the Democrats' unfair advantage by eliminating constitutional infirmities.

Cynical narrative

Both Democrats and Republicans gerrymander massively, making American democracy far from fair. Election laws should change.