The Signal
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The Signal approaches current affairs in a spirit of curiosity—free of ideology and with a globally diverse slate of contributors. Each week we explore urgent questions in democracy, science, tech, business, education — and more. Sign up at thesgnl.com
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What’s happening? It’s a question we’re always asking ourselves. Why? Because we live in a rapidly changing, complex, hyper-connected world. We have to ask.
Why are so many people in so many countries around the world drinking less? Tim Naimi on the spread of sobering research about alcohol’s adverse health effects, the tightening of economic pressures, and the myth of the moderate European drinker. Read on. Link in comments.
November 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Why are so many people in so many countries around the world drinking less? Tim Naimi on the spread of sobering research about alcohol’s adverse health effects, the tightening of economic pressures, and the myth of the moderate European drinker. Read on. Link in comments.
Where’s all the money coming into American think tanks from? Ben Freeman on the enormous foreign-government “donations” flowing through Washington, D.C. Read on. Link in comments.
November 27, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Where’s all the money coming into American think tanks from? Ben Freeman on the enormous foreign-government “donations” flowing through Washington, D.C. Read on. Link in comments.
Can Europe defend itself? John R. Deni on troop shortages, mismatched equipment, and the cost of security in a time of war. Read on. Link in comments.
November 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Can Europe defend itself? John R. Deni on troop shortages, mismatched equipment, and the cost of security in a time of war. Read on. Link in comments.
The weekend despatch: Ukraine’s six-day ultimatum. Sudan’s missing thousands. + What’s plunderphonics? Read on. Link in comments.
November 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The weekend despatch: Ukraine’s six-day ultimatum. Sudan’s missing thousands. + What’s plunderphonics? Read on. Link in comments.
Briefing: A shooting near the White House. A fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. + Why is it so tough to define what Israel will accept in the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire? Read on. Link in comments.
November 27, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Briefing: A shooting near the White House. A fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. + Why is it so tough to define what Israel will accept in the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire? Read on. Link in comments.
Why does North Korea keep threatening South Korea and its allies without ever going to war? Michael Breen on theater and reality in one of the most enigmatic places on Earth. Read on. Link in comments.
November 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Why does North Korea keep threatening South Korea and its allies without ever going to war? Michael Breen on theater and reality in one of the most enigmatic places on Earth. Read on. Link in comments.
What exactly do U.S. President Donald Trump and his inner circle have in mind when they say they’re taking on the “deep state”? Hugh Wilford on the specter of an unelected government behind the American government. Read on. Link in comments.
November 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
What exactly do U.S. President Donald Trump and his inner circle have in mind when they say they’re taking on the “deep state”? Hugh Wilford on the specter of an unelected government behind the American government. Read on. Link in comments.
Why is global population movement at a record high? Rebecca Hamlin on the reasons why so many millions are now uprooting their lives every year. Read on. Link in comments.
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Why is global population movement at a record high? Rebecca Hamlin on the reasons why so many millions are now uprooting their lives every year. Read on. Link in comments.
How’s Iran’s standoff with Israel and the West affecting everyday Iranians’ feelings about the regime? Trita Parsi on why nationalism is surging while Islamic Republic’s popularity continues to tank. Read on. Link in comments.
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
How’s Iran’s standoff with Israel and the West affecting everyday Iranians’ feelings about the regime? Trita Parsi on why nationalism is surging while Islamic Republic’s popularity continues to tank. Read on. Link in comments.
What is international law, anyway? Yuan Yi Zhu on how democratic countries are responding to expansive rulings by international courts. Read on. Link in comments.
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 AM
What is international law, anyway? Yuan Yi Zhu on how democratic countries are responding to expansive rulings by international courts. Read on. Link in comments.
How common is the corruption of public officials in the U.S.? Ben Freeman on what America’s “authoritarian friends” from the Persian Gulf are doing in Washington, D.C. Read on. Link in comments.
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
How common is the corruption of public officials in the U.S.? Ben Freeman on what America’s “authoritarian friends” from the Persian Gulf are doing in Washington, D.C. Read on. Link in comments.
Briefing: While the world’s big economies convene in Johannesburg, the Americans stay home. A U.S. judge throws out the prosecutions of two of Trump’s perceived political enemies. + What is international law, anyway? Read on. Link in comments.
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Briefing: While the world’s big economies convene in Johannesburg, the Americans stay home. A U.S. judge throws out the prosecutions of two of Trump’s perceived political enemies. + What is international law, anyway? Read on. Link in comments.
ICYMI - 🎬 Why are studios releasing so few original new films? Andrew deWaard on how movie franchises have conquered Hollywood.
No paywall. Available through November 28.
www.thesgnl.com/2024/11/ris...
No paywall. Available through November 28.
www.thesgnl.com/2024/11/ris...
In theaters now
Why are studios releasing so few original new films? Andrew deWaard on how movie franchises have conquered Hollywood.
www.thesgnl.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
ICYMI - 🎬 Why are studios releasing so few original new films? Andrew deWaard on how movie franchises have conquered Hollywood.
No paywall. Available through November 28.
www.thesgnl.com/2024/11/ris...
No paywall. Available through November 28.
www.thesgnl.com/2024/11/ris...
What exactly is the problem here? Justin Callais on the ambiguities of corruption. Read on. Link in comments.
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
What exactly is the problem here? Justin Callais on the ambiguities of corruption. Read on. Link in comments.
Why are China and Russia dominating nuclear energy? Ashley Finan on its emerging role in shaping global power. Read on. Link in comments.
November 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Why are China and Russia dominating nuclear energy? Ashley Finan on its emerging role in shaping global power. Read on. Link in comments.
What can democracies do about autocratic interference? Josh Rudolph on the challenges of resistance and resiliency. Read on. Link in comments.
November 25, 2025 at 3:00 AM
What can democracies do about autocratic interference? Josh Rudolph on the challenges of resistance and resiliency. Read on. Link in comments.
While the world’s big economies convene in Johannesburg, the Americans stay home. A U.S. judge throws out the prosecutions of two of Trump’s perceived political enemies. + What is international law, anyway? Read on. Link in comments.
November 25, 2025 at 2:06 AM
While the world’s big economies convene in Johannesburg, the Americans stay home. A U.S. judge throws out the prosecutions of two of Trump’s perceived political enemies. + What is international law, anyway? Read on. Link in comments.
If Donald Trump isn’t an autocrat, what is he? Stephen Hanson on the old historical model for the new American presidency. Read on. Link in comments.
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
If Donald Trump isn’t an autocrat, what is he? Stephen Hanson on the old historical model for the new American presidency. Read on. Link in comments.
Have banks really started closing people’s accounts because of their political views? Victoria Barnes on the dynamics of debanking. Read on. Link in comments.
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Have banks really started closing people’s accounts because of their political views? Victoria Barnes on the dynamics of debanking. Read on. Link in comments.
Is there really a “new oligarchy” in America? Quinn Slobodian on why so many Silicon Valley billionaires have gotten so involved in everyday American politics. Read on. Link in comments.
November 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Is there really a “new oligarchy” in America? Quinn Slobodian on why so many Silicon Valley billionaires have gotten so involved in everyday American politics. Read on. Link in comments.
What do the new U.S. tariffs mean for global trade? Martin Wolf on a rapid onset of radical uncertainty. Read on. Link in comments.
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
What do the new U.S. tariffs mean for global trade? Martin Wolf on a rapid onset of radical uncertainty. Read on. Link in comments.
Why are so many Americans so suspicious of the news media? Benjamin Toff on news consumption, social media, and partisan polarization. Read on. Link in comments.
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Why are so many Americans so suspicious of the news media? Benjamin Toff on news consumption, social media, and partisan polarization. Read on. Link in comments.
Where have all the workers gone? Matthew Notowidigdo on the transformation of the global labor market. Read on. Link in comments.
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Where have all the workers gone? Matthew Notowidigdo on the transformation of the global labor market. Read on. Link in comments.
Why are people in the United States eating record amounts of meat? Glynn Tonsor on a mysterious outlier trend in the Western world. Read on. Link in comments.
November 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Why are people in the United States eating record amounts of meat? Glynn Tonsor on a mysterious outlier trend in the Western world. Read on. Link in comments.
The weekend despatch: Ukraine’s six-day ultimatum. Sudan’s missing thousands. + What’s plunderphonics? Read on. Link in comments.
November 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The weekend despatch: Ukraine’s six-day ultimatum. Sudan’s missing thousands. + What’s plunderphonics? Read on. Link in comments.