Establishment-critical narrative

India's push to include the African Union in the G20 is in sharp contrast to China's debt diplomacy, which suggests the expansion will likely expose the existing rifts about the bloc's goals and purposes among the G20 countries.

Pro-establishment narrative

This is a historic day, not only for the G20 but for the entire global South, as it proves that the world's most powerful countries can bridge existing political and economic differences to create a more equitable, fair, and inclusive international order.

Establishment-critical narrative

The Global South has successfully blocked attempts from Western powers to "Ukrainianize" the G20 agenda, protecting its own legitimate interests and needs. This further indicates that developing countries will no longer accept the use of multilateral tools to promote one-sided perspectives — especially in a forum that hasn't been established to discuss situations such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Pro-establishment narrative

The softened language on Russia's war in Ukraine is not a Western defeat, but rather a strategic move to boost India's global influence in a bid to isolate Russia and China. While substantially similar to the joint statement issued in Bali last year, this latest communique has brought the West closer to major democracies in the Global South, which are key swing actors in world issues. The revised language on the Ukraine front is unfortunate, but ultimately the entire statement is a boon for democracies worldwide.

Nerd narrative

There's a 4% chance that there will be a bilateral cease-fire or peace agreement in the Russo-Ukraine conflict before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Ethiopia's continued unilateral filling of the dam violates international agreements on the use of the Nile waters. Until there's a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the Renaissance Dam, this project must be stopped. Both Egypt and Sudan have legitimate rights to the Nile waters and these rights are integral to their national security. It's now up to Addis Ababa to show political will and respond positively to Egyptian efforts to reach an agreement.

Narrative B

While Cairo claims that GERD threatens Egypt's water supply, it is in reality primarily concerned about losing its illegitimate control over the Nile. From the day Ethiopia announced its plans to build this massive project, Egypt was openly hostile to the project, with the US on its side to pressure Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is the source of roughly 85% of the Nile's flow and has every right to use this resource to provide affordable energy to its 120M people. As long as Cairo's only concern in negotiations is to maintain its dominance, the talks will yield no fruit.

Narrative C

Unfortunately, talks between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have not yet brought the hoped-for breakthrough. However, the mere fact that the three countries are seeking a diplomatic rather than a military solution already represents a success in a region plagued by crises. In the case of GERD, all three Nile nations have legitimate concerns. Although managing shared water resources is a complex issue, there are international models for successful negotiations that benefit all parties involved.

Anti-Russia narrative

The Russian elections are a sham and a violation of international law. With various allegations of corruption, rigging, and the repression of opposition candidates, Russia’s supposed results do not hide the dubious reality of Putin’s real popularity within the state.

Pro-Russia narrative

The results of the free and fair elections in the reclaimed areas of Russia highlight the desire and willingness of those who inhabit ex-Ukrainian territories to come together as a single, prosperous nation. While the West tried its best to see that these elections didn't take place — with the Russian electoral commission facing a surge in cyberattacks — strong voter turnout showed that the will of the Russian people could not be denied.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that Vladimir Putin will cease to hold the office of President of Russia by February 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Establishment-critical narrative

Morocco's message is being heard loud and clear around the world with its refusal to accept aid from France. Paris is actively trying to sweep its diplomatic tensions and colonial past under the rug by pushing the decision back on Rabat. King Mohammad VI is working to provide aid to his people by surrounding them with the expertise and relief provided by friendly nations. The King is not willing to compromise the position of Morocco with a country with an imperial history willing to fraternize with hostile enemies.

Pro-establishment narrative

The UN estimates that even as the death toll climbs, more than 300K people in Morocco have been affected by the earthquake and will require assistance. Even so, the leadership in Rabat is in no hurry to accept aid from the international community. The US, France, the UK, Turkey, Algeria, and Taiwan are examples that all have rescue teams, medications, supplies, and equipment standing by. Time is of the essence and this issue must transcend geopolitics.

Narrative A

Even though Judge Mehta narrowed the scope of this case, the core argument of this lawsuit leaves Google at extreme risk of facing an antitrust ruling against it. Consequences for such a historic ruling could include forcing the tech giant to restructure its company as well as massive fines. Bringing this case to court is already a win for the Davids of the world, and the Goliaths should be worried about the momentum it builds.

Narrative B

While smaller search engines are understandably upset that they can't become a default web browser, the reason Google gets prioritized over others is that it provides the cheapest and most efficient internet search process. Antitrust law is supposed to protect against companies monopolizing an industry to raise prices, but Google only makes its products more accessible and affordable.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that iPhones will have a default search provider other than Google by July 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Democratic narrative

It’s in the best interest of the US to let bygones be bygones and forge closer diplomatic and trade relationships with Vietnam in the face of China’s increased aggressiveness militarily and economically in the region. Although Vietnam will likely remain close to China, the US will now be on stronger footing by deepening partnerships in the region thanks to Biden's diplomacy.

Republican narrative

Biden is being deceived in his attempt to look tough on China. He's making deals with Vietnam's ruling Communist regime while they continue to maintain tight relations with Beijing and even Moscow. This is good for Vietnam's public diplomacy but ultimately makes the US look weaker.

Republican narrative

Joe Biden disappointingly chose not to visit one of the three 9/11 crash sites. When asked why he couldn't, the White House said "presidents were not still going to visit Hawaii" 22 years after Pearl Harbor. His lack of attendance is a major gaffe.

Democratic narrative

Pres. Biden is not the first president to commemorate this sad day from somewhere other than a crash site, and that includes presidents Bush and Obama. Sept. 11 is a day to mourn the Americans we lost and boost the morale of the soldiers and first responders who continue to protect us from the threat of terrorism — not to engage in petty politics.

Cynical narrative

Partisan politics aside, Americans must not forget to demand transparency from their government regarding the tragedy of 9/11. Though Bush downplayed it for years, we now know that the CIA was following two of the hijackers all the way up until they entered the US just weeks before the attacks. This, and probing the pretenses for the decades of casualties caused by the "War on Terror" are legitimate questions that deserve answers.

Republican narrative

Neither this order nor any restrictions on lawful gun possession will do anything to reduce crime. Yet here’s another Democrat deciding it’s better to dismiss the Constitution’s absolute right for law-abiding citizens to carry firearms rather than reconsidering their soft-on-crime policies, which are the reason for the nation’s crime wave. While the courts will again stop this left-leaning power grab, it’s about time Democrats stop trying these types of unconstitutional actions.

Democratic narrative

Something has to be done to slow the gun violence epidemic in the US. Even if a government action is eventually deemed unconstitutional by the courts, it’s worth instituting temporary measures and drawing attention to the issue through litigation. Republicans should offer solutions to the gun violence problem rather than just insisting everyone be allowed to carry an unlimited number of guns.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that there will be at least 1.40 small firearms per capita in the USA by 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to divert attention away from his business dealings by pushing an absurdist name change. The BJP has failed India by using its power to silence opposing parties and politicians, and with the public catching on, Modi is in search of a new angle. The fact is that both India and Bharat are used interchangeably in the Indian constitution, and there is nothing anti-Hindu about the name "India." Modi’s tactics are pure diversion.

Narrative B

While opposition leaders seem to be outraged about India being referred to as Bharat at the G20 summit, the fact is that many of Modi’s most vocal critics have themselves expressed a desire to change India’s name. There are many documents from opposition leaders saying that they would change India’s name to Bharat and want to reclaim India’s Hindu origins. However, they are so fixated on opposing Modi that they will scream about anything he does. Why not make this change now?