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Writen by: Manuela Medeiros As Trump “innovated” with tariffs, hammering China’s market with a 145% tax, the jolly December holiday we all adore now risks arriving late—or not at all. And if it does, well… deck the halls with walls and tariffs! As this two-sided market war unravels, the ravishing faces of politics and policy stand face to face– ready to throw hands, apply tariffs or ruin Christmas… The tension between nationalist economic policy and global trade dependency becomes clear in the charged words of both sides: "We don't care about sales to the United States,” said Hu Tianqiang, “We can't continue to allow China to rape our country,” said Trump. A maze of assumptions and accusations emerged following Trump's initiation of a two-front trade war with China, accompanied by a staggering 145% tariff increase.  Whilst sugar coating this situation may soften its harsh blow, it is quite the euphemism to say that a large portion of the US's toy industry relies on China's heavy exports– And if that sounds like an exaggeration, let the numbers speak for themselves. The fact is, $13.4 billion of the US's $17.7 billion dollar worth market of toys and trinkets came from China. In other words, as children unwrap their boxes of vivid verdant wrapping, they'll see the gap that devoured 75% of the toy industry as Chinese labor tries to fill the void emerging within the nucleus of global trade, where an emerging gap dichotomizes Chinese vs American imports by a remarkable amount of zeros. As shown in the graph below, even with exemptions, the U.S. still shops at China’s stores like it’s Black Friday—while pretending it’s not. Graph illustrating the disproportionate trade relationship between the US and China, showing that the US imports far more from China despite both countries exempting about a quarter of goods from tariffs. As an unfortunate haze of misery muddles the toy industry with threat and despair, businesses across the board are left scrambling for solutions. Companies are puzzled trying to untangle the next measures to be taken as Trump applies “reciprocal tariffs” on other nations, they make an effort to apply “reciprocal tactics” in order to keep their commerce on its feet. "This path is catastrophic" says Rick Woldenberg, the CEO of the hand2mind, facturing a whopping amount of $8.6 million per year. For a millionaire CEO, losing a few million may sting,  for factories that rely on steady orders to survive, it’s a fatal blow and for families who could once take advantage of buying early on the calendar for a more comfortable price, it's a stab in the back.  However, this disruption isn’t limited to toys alone. Holiday decorations, typically ordered by U.S. buyers months in advance, have also been affected. With April being the usual time orders start rolling in, manufacturers in China have reported little to no demand this year coming from the American motherland. Workers, managers, and the market segment itself find themselves dependent on the US market to sell, as they are responsible for the sale of 50% of Chinese goods. It is undeniable that whilst the Chinese economy serves as an international symbol of economic opulence, it has struggled to stand on its two feet following the restraints set by the pandemic and matters resulting in scarce domestic demand. On a similar note, whilst some Chinese companies bargain with the US to sell their produce to foreign powers, some remain unbothered by the situation, where an attempt to sell to Eastern Europe, Russia, and South Asian countries escalates as a mere response to this feud.  And the effects don’t stop at inventory stalls or slowed sales. A much deeper economic battle simmers beneath the surface. Ostensibly, the finish line of this battle of markets and percentages is nowhere to be seen, and the economy is only one amongst a lexical set of the Chinese situation in regard to the US's “retaliatory” actions. Whilst some lay at home, watching Trump reign over the United States with much havoc and greed, others find themselves baffled by the fact that due to his blunder, they may lose  their jobs. Well, it isn't a surprise… After all, high tariffs not only make exported goods more expensive in the importing nation but also significantly lower demand, especially for price-sensitive manufactured goods, leading to production cuts, reduced shifts or even shutdowns. When issues like these are ascendant within a market, factory workers, logistic workers, and those in supply chains are often laid off– where local unemployment spikes are not only evident but start to become common. Furthermore, as China's unemployment rate stands at an arguably comfortable 5.4% of its population of nearly 1.5 billion citizens, Trump's actions have been telling us spectators otherwise.  The real cost of tariffs, however, lies in what follows: layoffs, lost shifts, and shattered livelihoods. ‘They deserved it’, said Donald Trump on an interview for ABC News whereas he confidently claimed the widespread globe was “laughing at us, they thought we were stupid people” – suggesting that these “retaliatory taxes” are nothing beyond an attempt to ‘restore’ the fading memory of America's once prosperous economy and imago, liquidating job opportunities in domestic and foreign land. A mere example of the consequences followed by the intensification of this war lies in the heart of Lehigh Valley– where Mack Trucks, a 125 years old company, announced the lay off of around 10% of its unionized workers at the Lehigh Valley unit– pointing all fingers to tariffs and the economic uncertainty followed by them. “We will be prosperous, we will be proud, we will be strong, and we will win like never before”, is what he promised. And so, when a promise is not satisfied, neither should we– where prosperity, pride, strength, and this propaganda of American triumph hides amidst Trump's facade of innovation, where the President believes tariffs are a solution,  the solution .  As previously noted, this issue is far from being a contained domestic matter—it extends beyond national borders with no indication of subsiding. At the China Import and Export Fair, amongst the largest trade shows in the world, patrons from the United States and Europe populated 10% of the total registered onlookers. It may not sound as surprising but after taking note of the 30% decrease since previous fairs, European and American attendance plummeted over the years– a slender forecast of the reduced interest or ability of Western companies to engage with Chinese exporters due to economic slowdowns, inflation, or shifting supply chain strategies. Nonetheless, this drop in willingness to endorse trade with China is another main factor that strengthens this exponential friction between both nations.  Ultimately, this issue, whilst managing to disguise itself beneath the waning American excitement for Christmas, knowing that with tariffs and restrictions buying their toddler's favorite Barbie will not be an option amongst the list this year, it stands out as a lingering quarrel that prepares to take down the holy spirit of Christmas. The cost? More than just dollars—it’s jobs, joy, and jingles lost Finally, ranging from toys to trade markets, to trade wars, if Trump can outdo being the Grinch of the toy industry by being the Gru of global trade, then J.D. Vance might as well be painted yellow—because together, they’re not just stealing Christmas… they might go for the moon next! Works Cited Bryan, Miles. “Trump Promised His Tariffs Would Create Jobs. They’re Already Destroying Them.” Vox , 5 May 2025, www.vox.com/today-explained-newsletter/411466/trump-auto-tariffs-create-jobs-union-workers . Accessed 6 May 2025.  Wakabayashi, Daisuke. “Retailers Fear Toy Shortages at Christmas as Tariffs Freeze Supply Chain.” The New York Times , 29 Apr. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/business/trump-tariffs-christmas-china.html . ABC News. “President Trump Doubles down on China Tariffs: “They Deserve It” | ABC News Exclusive.” YouTube , 29 Apr. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOqttZgQsqY . Accessed 6 May 2025. The White House. “REMARKS by PRESIDENT TRUMP at the WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM – the White House.” The White House , 23 Jan. 2025, www.whitehouse.gov/remarks/2025/01/remarks-by-president-trump-at-the-world-economic-forum/ . Hawkins, Amy. “China Manufacturing Activity Plummets amid Trump Tariff War.” The Guardian , The Guardian, 30 Apr. 2025, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/30/china-manufacturing-activity-plummets-amid-trump-tariff-war . Yang, Zeyi. “Donald Trump Is Already Ruining Christmas.” WIRED , 28 Apr. 2025, www.wired.com/story/christmas-toys-trump-tariffs-china/ . “China Quietly Exempts about a Quarter of US Imports from Tariffs, Bloomberg Reports.” The Edge Malaysia , 2 May 2025, theedgemalaysia.com/node/753809 . Accessed 6 May 2025. Yang, Zeyi. “Donald Trump Is Already Ruining Christmas.” WIRED , 28 Apr. 2025, www.wired.com/story/christmas-toys-trump-tariffs-china/ .

In the past few months, President Donald Trump has been busy deploying the National Guard. The first deployment occurred in Los Angeles in response to immigration protests. Recently, Trump authorized the National Guard to arrive in Washington, D.C., citing high crime numbers. With Trump threatening even more deployments in more cities, it is important to know what this all means. Fig. 1, National Guard Members in Washington, D.C. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/27/trump-national-guard-poll-00531862 . The National Guard stems from early anti-colonial state militias, predating the American Revolution. These state militias were brought under federal authority in the 1790s, allowing George Washington to mobilize the militias in response to the Whiskey Rebellion. The legality is often confusing, as both the state and federal governments hold the power to mobilize the National Guard. As we have seen with President Trump, there were deployments in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., despite pushback from state governors and executives. There are numerous reasons that a sitting president may federalize the National Guard. Typically, the National Guard is federalized in response to a natural disaster or to ensure civil order. In 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard in response to the decision of Brown v. Board of Education, which stated that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. Furthermore, President George Bush did, in fact, federalize the National Guard during Hurricane Katrina, albeit the response may have been better.  There are cases when the National Guard may be deployed but not federalized. For example, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Guard was not entirely federalized. All 50 states deployed their National Guard, but it was not put under the direction of the United States President. Which brings us to President Trump’s most recent federalization, Washington, D.C. President Trump has claimed that the crime rates in some of the United States’ most urban cities (also, mostly Democratic-supported) are rising. Given this claim, Trump has federalized the National Guard to aid in crime relief. However, as data shows, many cities are experiencing a reduction in violent crime rates from 2020-2024 (Fig. 2). Fig. 2, Violent Crime Rates Since 2020. https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-guard-crime-stats-92ee575c0d445320aa633f6abe2a26b9   Comically, the National Guard deployed in Washington, D.C., does not have a clear set of goals or action plans. As was reported by MSNBC, service members are currently picking up trash surrounding the monuments in the nation's capital. With President Trump threatening to federalize the National Guard yet again to send to mainly Democratic-supportive cities, it is safe to say that there will definitely be legal pushback. Additionally, this move seems to be unpopular amongst most Americans. In a recent poll reported by Politico, it was highlighted that 56% of respondents disagreed with the recent actions of the President. We will continue to see what happens as President Trump continues to intimidate those who oppose him.

The Cold War was not fought with bullets, but with ideology, influence, and fear. From 1945 to 1991, the U.S. and USSR clashed for global dominance. What began as an uneasy alliance quickly turned into a struggle that defined the second half of the 20th century... or is it now the 21st? By : Manuela M. The Cold War, often described by your fellow history nerds and political enthusiasts as “the closest the world ever came to nuclear annihilation”, was the tense and protracted struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, lasting from 1945/47 to 1991. Following Nazi Germany's surrender in May of 1945, the wartime alliance between the U.S. and Great Britain faced the USSR, both on different ends of the political spectrum. By 1948, the Soviet Union had installed left-wing governments in eastern European countries that were previously liberated by the Red Army. Britain and The United States both feared the permanent Soviet domination of eastern Europe as its installment would threaten democracies of western Europe. Conversely, the Soviets were determined to maintain their control over eastern Europe to protect themselves from any possibility of a renewed threat from Germany. The USSR's intention was to spread communism worldwide within world revolutions. The Cold War began to fully solidify in 1947-1948 when the United States aided western Europe with the Marshall Plan and the Soviets installed fully openly communist regimes across eastern Europe. It was the 20th century, nukes and ammos were worth more than any porsche or, what the Soviets would like to call a "глупая дорогая машина" — and proxy wars and arms race were the new pink. But now, in the 21th century, the new pink is economic sanctions and propaganda. Take for instance, the United States (yes, again) and China, subject to a multifaceted competition that reminisce of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry. The rivalry between the United States and China has become one of the defining features of the 21st century, echoing the high-stakes competition once seen between Washington and Moscow. Cyber espionage, economic sanctions and influence campaigns have transformed this relationship into a multifaceted struggle for global power. According to The Heritage Foundation, the U.S. is now engaged in what can be described as a “new Cold War” with China, one that is more complex, more dangerous, and more deeply intertwined with global systems than the Soviet rivalry ever was. Unlike the USSR, China is embedded within international trade and technological supply chains, giving its competition with the U.S. an added layer of urgency. But what happens when the world’s two largest powers see competition not as an option, but as destiny? Well, one major area of concern is military modernization. Over the past two decades, China has rapidly built up its armed forces, investing heavily in advanced missile systems, cyber capabilities, and naval expansion. Heritage analysts warn that this shift threatens to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and increases the risk of confrontation, particularly around flashpoints like Taiwan. A different area of competition exists in the technological and economic sectors. The Heritage Foundation points out extensive Chinese cyber activities and intellectual property theft, which have resulted in billions of dollars in annual losses for the U.S. economy. To address this issue, Heritage recommends bolstering domestic supply chains, protecting innovation, and assisting U.S. companies that compete with Chinese firms backed by the state. Yet this contest is not just military or economic, it is also ideological and strategic. Heritage argues that the U.S. must mobilize its strengths, alliances, democratic stability, and global leadership—to effectively counter Beijing’s ambitions. Their recommendations include boosting deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, achieving greater energy independence, and adopting a whole-of-government strategy that unites political, economic, and security efforts. Fig 1. Graph illustrating the growth of China's annual goods trade with the U.S. and allies. In 2022, despite the ongoing tariff conflict, US-China trade hit a record high of $689 billion. In contrast, during the entire Cold War era of the 1980s, US-Soviet trade totaled less than $50 billion. Considering this, although trade between China and the US and its allies continues to increase, it is becoming a smaller part of China's overall global trade. In other words, China is increasingly depending on trade with the rest of the world rather than with the US and its allies. Ultimately, this U.S.–China rivalry is not a repeat of the past but a new era of global competition. Where the Cold War was defined by nuclear standoffs and ideological blocs, today’s confrontation spans everything from cyberspace to shipping lanes. The question, as Heritage frames it, is whether the U.S. can adapt quickly enough to meet the challenge of an adversary deeply embedded in the global order. Now taking the K3 train from Beijing we arrive at the K19 in Moscow, Russia. Russia? You may ask. Well, yes. The Federation of Russia is a direct product of the end of the Cold War in 1991 and the December 8th Belovezh Agreement; The Federation of Russia was once known as the USSR. Well, the relationship between the U.S. and Russia have deteriorated dramatically, not only during the Cold War, no, especially after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. What began as a territorial conflict quickly escalated into a geopolitical struggle, with Washington and Moscow once again locked in a contest reminiscent of the Cold War. Just as Vietnam and Afghanistan became battlegrounds for U.S.–Soviet rivalry in the 20th century, Ukraine has emerged as today’s defining proxy war. The U.S. provides Ukraine with military aid, intelligence, and economic support, while Russia frames its war effort as resistance to Western encirclement. This indirect clash allows both sides to exert power without engaging in direct conflict, though the risk of escalation looms large. Fig 2. How U.S. and Russian Nuclear Arsenals have evolved since the start of the Cold War. Outside of Ukraine, the rivalry extends to other areas. In the Middle East and Africa, both Washington and Moscow have pursued influence via arms deals, mercenary groups, and economic leverage. From Syria, where Russian intervention supported Assad's regime, to Africa's Sahel region, where Russian-backed Wagner forces established a presence, proxy conflicts continue to characterize their competition. The Times and other observers argue that these proxy struggles reveal the fragility of global order. Instead of open war between the U.S. and Russia, smaller nations bear the cost of great-power competition, often enduring prolonged instability. The Ukraine conflict, however, is far more destabilizing than previous proxy wars, it sits at the heart of Europe, threatening NATO security and global energy supplies. Fig 3. Choropleth map illustrating mounting tension in Asia The Cold War (1947–1991) was defined by a clear bipolar order: the United States led the capitalist, democratic bloc through NATO and global alliances, while the Soviet Union commanded the communist bloc through the Warsaw Pact. Most states aligned themselves with one side, while “non-aligned” countries remained limited in their global influence. By contrast, today’s geopolitical environment is multipolar. The United States and China are often framed as the two dominant players, but power is no longer concentrated in just two hands. The European Union exerts influence through its economic weight and regulatory power; India is rising as a strategic and demographic giant; regional actors such as Brazil, Turkey, and Iran project influence in their neighborhoods. This dispersion of power creates a fluid international order, where states may cooperate with one great power in one area while opposing them in another (e.g., India’s strategic partnership with the U.S. against China, while also buying oil from Russia). This multipolarity makes the current era less predictable than the Cold War, as alignments are not rigidly ideological but rather pragmatic, shifting with economic or security interests. A defining feature of the original Cold War was the sharp economic separation of the two blocs. The Soviet Union maintained a centrally planned economy with minimal integration into global markets, while the United States led a capitalist, market-driven system. Economic relations between the blocs were negligible, so sanctions and embargoes had little mutual cost. In the modern era, globalization has produced an unprecedented level of economic interdependence. The U.S. and China, despite being strategic competitors, remain deeply tied through trade, technology, and finance. For example: China is the largest supplier of manufactured goods to the U.S. The U.S. is a key market for Chinese exports and a major source of investment. Global supply chains (e.g., semiconductors, rare earth minerals) tie rival economies together in ways that make “decoupling” both costly and complex. This interdependence acts as a deterrent to direct military confrontation, since war would inflict devastating economic consequences on all sides. However, it also creates new weapons of rivalry: tariffs, sanctions, technology bans, and financial restrictions become tools of strategic competition. Unlike the Cold War, where economic isolation was clear-cut, today’s rivalries are marked by selective decoupling and weaponized interdependence. Although today’s world is not divided by two ideologically opposed superpowers, Cold War echoes are unmistakable. Great-power rivalry, military buildups, and proxy conflicts remain part of the international landscape. Yet unlike the mid-20th century, rivalry now unfolds in a multipolar, interconnected, and technologically complex world. The stakes may be higher than ever: nuclear weapons remain, but so too do economic vulnerabilities and technological dependencies that could destabilize the global system. The challenge is to manage competition without sliding into catastrophic conflict. Diplomacy, international cooperation, and responsible leadership are essential. The Cold War showed that continuous competition without effective communication can drive the world to the brink. In today's context, where conflicts can spread via trade, cyberspace, or information networks, vigilance and dialogue are vital for global security. And remember kids, a naval "blockade" isn't the same as a naval "quarantine"! One will avoid war and the other will start it. Sources cited: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Cold War | Causes, Facts, & Summary.” Encyclopedia Britannica , 19 Jan. 2024, www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War . JFK Library. “The Cold War.” Jfklibrary.org , John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, 22 Oct. 2021, www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-cold-war . ‌Yu, Miles. “The Dangerous Myth of US-China Cold War Tensions.” Hudson Institute , 14 Mar. 2025, www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/dangerous-myth-us-china-cold-war-tensions-miles-yu . ‌“The Perils of a Cold War Analogy for Today’s U.S.-China Rivalry.” United States Institute of Peace , 23 June 2025, www.usip.org/publications/2025/06/perils-cold-war-analogy-todays-us-china-rivalry . ‌“The US Is Already Losing the New Cold War to China.” American Enterprise Institute - AEI , 27 May 2025, www.aei.org/op-eds/the-us-is-already-losing-the-new-cold-war-to-china/ . ‌Abrams, Elliot. “The New Cold War.” Council on Foreign Relations , National Review, 4 Mar. 2022, www.cfr.org/blog/new-cold-war-0 . ‌“The Graphic Truth: US-China: Cold War or Cold Cash? - GZERO Media.” Www.gzeromedia.com , www.gzeromedia.com/living-beyond-borders-articles/graphic-truth-us-china-cold-war-or-cold-cash . “Belovezh Accords | Encyclopedia.com .” Www.encyclopedia.com , www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/belovezh-accords . ‌Lüdtke, Lisa. “Mounting Tension in Asia.” GIS Reports , 22 Nov. 2018, www.gisreportsonline.com/r/us-china-tensions/ . Chia, Osmond. How Oil Has Brought China, Russia and India Closer Together . 2 Sept. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c627p49lp40o . ‌ Some of the measures introduced from both the First and Second New Deal had greater significance than others ‌ ‌ ‌

By: John Martello News media operate under a very fast cycle, with new information appearing on news sites every few minutes. However, we can all agree that this past week has been an insane flurry of stories and blurbs about events. In a sense, this blitz has become common for the modern newsreader. Still, this week, more than others, saw its share of buzz stories in a short span of time. This work aims to address the dominant stories of the past week, providing short excerpts based on current publications. Fig. 1, Burnt Vehicles in Nepal https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/death-toll-nepals-anti-graft-protests-jumps-51-2025-09-12/ .  Earlier this week, Nepal saw nationwide protests led by Gen Zers in response to a ban by the Nepali Prime Minister that limited social media companies' access to the country. Large platforms like Facebook and YouTube were restricted due to a missed government submission deadline. Additionally, younger Nepalis were unsatisfied with social conditions, citing social inequality. Given this, protesters violently overthrew the Prime Minister and several cabinet members. Currently, over 50 people have died. On Friday, Nepal’s first female Prime Minister was sworn in. Fig. 2, Masked Protesters in France. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/10/my-first-barricade-latest-french-protests-unite-people-from-variety-of-backgrounds .  Turning to France, where similar protests are being held but for different reasons. Following the unpopularity of the budget cuts by the former Prime Minister François Bayrou, President Emmanuel Macron replaced him with conservative Sébastien Lecornu. After a note of no confidence by the National Assembly ousting Bayrou, French protesters, under the ‘Block Everything’ movement, took to the streets. As Lecornu enters the government, he will face similar challenges towards budget cuts and a swelling need to rebalance the deficit. Turning to the United States. A week of remembrance of the September 11 terrorist attacks and honoring the lives lost was seemingly met with more violence. Dominating the news media was the assassination of conservative media personality and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot while on a speaking tour across college campuses. That same day, a 16-year-old student opened fire in Evergreen High School in Colorado, injuring two students. This, tripled with the developing (and maybe pending) release of the Epstein files, there is a lot to monitor in the United States.  It is easy to get lost in the news. Sometimes, overconsumption is the worst habit you can have. It is best to honor the SIFT method when digesting news media: stop, investigate, find, and trace. To ensure the validity of sources and reporting, be aware of hidden biases and check the sources used in a work. Of course, remain aware of sensational stories. And finally, remember, always reflect on what you read and see.  Works Cited  Carney, Jordain. “Senate GOP Defeats Schumer’s Epstein Gambit.” Politico. Accessed September 12, 2025.  https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/09/10/congress/senate-gop-defeats-chuck-schumer-epstein-files-00556518 . Chrisafis, Angelique. “‘My First Barricade’: French Protests Unite Teachers, Gilets Jaunes, and Students.” The Guardian. Accessed September 12, 2025.  https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/sep/10/france-block-everything-protests-macron-lecornu-europe-live-news-updates . Cohen, Rebecca, and Phil Helsel. “What We Know About Charlie Kirk’s Assassination.” NBC News. Accessed September 12, 2025.  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/know-charlie-kirks-assassination-rcna230552 . Dahal, Phanindra, Emily Atkinson, and Iftikhar Khan. “What we Know About Nepal Anti-Corruption Protests as PM Resigns.” BBC. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkj0lzlr3ro . Forrester, Megan, Alex Stone, and Jack Moore. “Shooter Dead, 2 Other Students Hospitalized After Shooting at Colorado High School: Sheriff.” ABC News. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/US/shooting-reported-colorado-high-school-2-kids-transported/story?id=125452526 . Mahe, Stephanie, and Juliette Jabkhiro. “‘Block Everything’ Protests Sweep Across France, Scores Arrested.” Reuters. Accessed September 12, 2025.  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/block-everything-protests-sweep-across-france-scores-arrested-2025-09-10/ . Mogul, Rhea, Sugam Pokharel, and Aishwarya Iyer. “Former Chief Justice Sworn in as Nepal’s Interim Prime Minister Following Deadly Protests.” CNN. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/12/world/nepal-prime-minister-sushila-karki-protests-intl-hnk . Reuters. “Death Toll in Nepal’s Anti-Graft Protests Jumps to 51.” Reuters. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/death-toll-nepals-anti-graft-protests-jumps-51-2025-09-12/ .

Following the announcement of the Motuo (Medog) Hydropower Station commencing construction, it faces to be the largest dam in the world, but also one with many controversies. Planned to be a steppingstone into China’s new ‘Green Era’, it will provide solutions to many of its energy demands without directly increasing emissions. However, many speculations arise with its construction, and international powers like India are concerned about what it could mean for them downstream. The Motuo Station would provide a geopolitical foothold on the region when completed and destabilise the already troubled border further. What is certain is that China will relent until it is complete, and only then will we discover the true power China will hold. Figure 1: The Motuo Hydropower Dam under construction in Tibet, (Proctor, 2025) In human history, there are few moments that truly defined our species; that shaped our modern world from thousands of years back. Most would comment on the invention of the wheel, or, rather more crudely, the discovery of fire, or the agricultural revolution. All of which, yes, have shaped how we survive and advance – however none more than water. As negligible as it may be, water – the control of water – has been the single largest factor to decimate or multiply civilizations. No other single resource held such a chokehold on both ancient civilizations and modern ones – to the point where the earliest recorded war had set a recurring pattern for the most fought over resource on earth. It’s difficult to imagine what extent rulers would go to preserve and control this resource, however some of their efforts can be seen. Take aqueducts from the Roman Empire as a simple example; towering structures made of hundreds of arches of thousands of tonnes of stone each individually cut, transported and placed. As gargantuan as the efforts are to preserve and control water, there are mirrored pursuits to destroy it.  During the second punic war at the battle of Cannae of 216 BCE, Hannabal was able to use his positioning near the Aufidus River to threaten Roman supply, ultimately taking victory. His knowledge of the Aufidus and its vital importance to the Roman Legions as their only plausible water source had clamped them in wait for Hannibal’s army. Where at one point, the Carthaginians slaughtered 50,000-70,000 Romans in a day. Crucially, Hannibal didn’t fight for  the water –  he controlled  it – used it as a strategic lever to weaken the Romans before his assault.  From this and countless other examples throughout human existence, it is clear to see the dystopic reality of ‘ who controls the water, controls the land ’. And this has only been proven to be true in our modern world. “The yellow river is to China what the Nile is to Egypt – the cradle of its civilization” -Tim Marshall, Prisoners of Geography In the early formation of China, the Han had realised, just as many in the region, the importance of waterways to their agrarian civilization, and in the 5th century CE, the Grand Canal linked the Yellow River to the Yangtze. It took millions of slaves to construct this waterway – but had paved China’s rich history and unequivocal skill of hydraulic control and manipulation. Today, China stands as an emblem of civil engineering where again and again, impossible feats are shown to the world – but seem so unremarkable to the Chinese themselves, saturated almost. The Motuo Hydropower station, however, pledges to be different. Not far down the list of its specifications can you witness the impalpable numbers it will deliver; within, giving a view into China’s true thirst for power. Figure 2: Distribution of energy consumption in 2023, Figure 3: Total energy production in China has risen 600% between 2000-2023, Figure 2&3: (IEA, 2023) With China’s energy production being the highest in the world, at 9,547 terawatt-hours in 2023, and with 78.5% of its consumption in industry, transport and its residents - it begs the question: how far has the largest electricity consumer already gone, and how far is it willing to go, to supply its citizens, and most crucially, its industrial powerhouse with the energy it demands? The Motuo Hydropower station is certainly an answer to this increasingly foreboding question. However, looking back only a few years, China found itself in a similar situation - the need for enormous quantities of power. During the booming economic years of 1978-1997, China found its GDP sustaining ~10% growth annually consistently fueling industry potential. Which naturally ate up masses of power and resources that China had been producing from coal power plants. To meet this surge in demand, the Chinese had brought back an old proposition for a hydropower dam - The Three Gorges Dam. The Motuo’s predecessor made a name for itself during its planning and indisputably after its construction in 2012 – after 20 years.  Figure 4: The Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei, China, (Wikipedia Contributors, 2019) The Three Gorges Dam was so ground breaking that it was most commonly referred to as the dam that changed Earth’s rotation - because it did. Being by far the largest dam constructed and operated, The Three Gorges Dam held such a colossal volume of water that it had subtly altered the distribution of Earth's mass, causing a slight slowing of the planet’s rotation by 0.06 microseconds, a number not seen as significant, but large enough to register. Despite attempting to be a solution to the power problem, Three Gorges Dam paradoxically only led to increased demand. As a solution, the plans for the Motuo Hydropower stations were quickly and secretly conceived. What was shocking however was China’s commitment to it, but also its unrelenting promise to building bigger and larger - where the Chinese plan to once again build the largest dam in the world, far surpassing the Three Gorges dam. Month by month the $170 Billion 'gigaproject' seems increasingly more tangible where on July 19, 2025, the primary state owned developer: China Huaneng Co., Ltd., broke ground on the project. The Motuo station is estimated to have a 60 GW capacity and projected to produce 300 Billion kWh of power, completely dwarfing the ostensibly modest 22.5 GW power output of the Three Gorges Dam. With this in mind, China is accelerating the process. Projected, albeit optimistically, to reach completion by 2033 China seems to have answered its persistent issue of power and reaching President Xi Jinping’s ultimate goal: called “xidiandongsong”, or “sending western electricity eastwards”, and put any future concerns to rest - with only construction work in its path to energy security. However there might be more issues along this path than forethought.  "The Nile flows through millennia of life and history, yet a single dam upstream now holds the power to reshape Egypt’s future.” The Motuo Hydropower stations will be located on the Eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau, in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangop river, on a section named ‘The Great Bend’. The Great Bend was chosen as the station’s location because of one crucial reason: In 50 kilometres, the river plummets 2,000 meters in altitude - creating enormous rapids that could be harnessed into power. However, The Great Bend, located uncomfortably near the Indian border in the semi-disputed region of Arunachal Pradesh, proves to be a point of great contention - particularly so because of the planned Motuo Hydropower Station. In 1950 China annexed Tibet and incorporation was complete in 1951. Before, the Chinese tried numerous times to have some sort of influence over Tibet and their population - and now that they do - they ensure enforcement and, mostly forceful, cooperation from locals. But why invest so much money, effort, and lives into Tibet, and why the constant, choking hammer to keep it in its tight fist.  The China-India border is much more like the Tibet-India border, and China’s oldest fear was Indian advance into Tibet. If this were to have happened, the Indians would have complete manipulation of the Tibetan Plateau, hence, manipulation of three of China’s great rivers: The Yellow, Yangtze and Mekong. Parallel to Hannibal’s victory, China’s concern was not that the Indians would shut off their water, just that they wielded the power to do so. But, with China’s unquestionable presence and supremacy in Tibet, it threatens to commit what it most feared. Figure 5: Path of the Yarlung Tsangop River from China into the Brahmaputra River in India, (Singh, 2020) The Yarlung Tsangop river, where the Motuo Hydropower Station sits, runs directly south into India after approximately 25-35km and becomes the Brahmaputra River. It flows through India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states, as well as Bangladesh, where it feeds into the Siang, Brahmaputra, and Jamuna rivers. Given India and China’s contentious prerequisite relationship, a fine line has been drawn for the nations involved on how to proceed diplomatically - especially so with the new imbalance of power. A 2020 report by the Lowy Institute, an Australian-based think tank, noted that “control over these rivers effectively gives China a chokehold on India’s economy.” This, albeit reversed, is what precisely China had initially feared of India’s control in Tibet - however the Chinese control Tibet, and with the Motuo Hydropower Station, have made their new power clear to countries downstream.  Naturally, this broken threshold of regional power, practically a dominion, has sparked great concern both in India and Bangladesh; commonly referenced in their concern is that the Siang and Brahmaputra could “dry up considerably” once the dam is completed, which could cause ecological disasters. However, more frightening is that the dam could be used as a water bomb, destroying the Siang belt where the Adi tribe and similar groups have land and property. Once more, it is not expected that the Chinese would do such a thing, only that they truly would have the power to do so when they see fit.  To combat the disparity in power, but also under genuine concern for its population’s safety, India recently plans to build a hydropower dam on the Siang River, which could act as a buffer against sudden water releases from China’s dam and prevent flooding. This idea is somewhat implausible to combat the vast volume of water that could be released by the Chinese, however India - and more dependantly Bangladesh - hold no other option on how to combat such an event, especially with its potential to cause devastating human and economic damage. In both senses of restriction and liberation of water, China is able to gain a chokehold on India’s economy that practically stifles it to China’s demand - where they could squeeze numerous inequitable benefits in trade and force India or Bangladesh into submission.  “Wherever irrigation required substantial and centralized control, government representatives monopolized political power and dominated the economy, resulting in an absolutist managerial state.” — Karl A. Wittfogel, Oriental Despotism (1957) Although being a major step in decarbonization to fuel China’s insatiable energy demand, the Motuo Hydropower Station is also a clear double edge sword. The Tibetan Plateau underscores China’s ambitions of securing energy independence and solidifying geopolitical leverage over one of Asia’s most important rivers. It is unclear how successful the station will end up being; since the Yarlung Zangbo River is fed by glacial meltwater, causing seasonal fluctuation in the river’s volume and possible unstable power supply. However it cannot be understated the overhauled exploitation that China would have, such that it is plausible that China cares more about the leverage the dam gives over its neighbors than its energy-production potential. In any case however, nations affected must tread extremely carefully on their diplomatic relations with China and secure positive trade agreements; which will prove to be challenging given the existent turbulent interactions with the superpower. Citations: Atkins, P. J., et al. Early Urbanization and the Hydraulic Environment . 1 Jan. 1998, p. pp 27-39, www.researchgate.net/publication/271841253_Early_urbanization_and_the_hydraulic_environment . Butler, Gavin. “China to Build World’s Largest Hydropower Dam in Tibet.” BBC , 27 Dec. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmn127kmr4o . “China’s Economy in 2005 Is Not What It Was in 2000.” Council on Foreign Relations , www.cfr.org/blog/chinas-economy-2005-not-what-it-was-2000 . Deming, David. “The Aqueducts and Water Supply of Ancient Rome.” Groundwater , vol. 58, no. 1, Nov. 2019, pp. 152–61, https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.12958 . Démurger Sylvie. Development Centre Studies Economic Opening and Growth in China . OECD Publishing, 2000. FRANCE 24 English. “China Starts Construction on World’s Biggest Hydropower Project in Tibet • FRANCE 24 English.” YouTube , 21 July 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6DoRRa626w . Accessed 26 Aug. 2025. Global Energy Monitor. “Motuo Hydroelectric Plant - Global Energy Monitor.” Global Energy Monitor , 24 Apr. 2025, www.gem.wiki/Motuo_hydroelectric_plant?utm_source=chatgpt.com . Accessed 26 Aug. 2025. Howe, Colleen. “Tibet Quake Highlights Earthquake Risk for Dams on Roof of the World.” Reuters , 13 Jan. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/tibet-quake-highlights-earthquake-risk-dams-roof-world-2025-01-10/ . Hunt, Patrick. “Battle of Cannae | Carthage-Rome.” Encyclopædia Britannica , 2019, www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Cannae . IEA. “China - Countries & Regions.” IEA , 2022, www.iea.org/countries/china/energy-mix . IER. “China Embarks on a New Hydroelectric Project — the World’s Largest.” IER , 31 July 2025, www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/international-issues/china-embarks-on-a-new-hydroelectric-project-the-worlds-largest/ . Kuo, Kaiser. “China’s 40-Year History of Economic Transformation.” World Economic Forum , 19 June 2025, www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/how-china-got-rich-40-year-history-of-economic-transformation/ . Mega, China’s. “China’s Mega Dam Project Poses Big Risks for Asia’s Grand Canyon.” Yale E360 , 2025, e360.yale.edu/features/china-tibet-yarlung-tsangpo-dam-india-water . Megaprojects. “China Is Building the World’s Largest Dam.” YouTube , 6 Aug. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9g8qPm7ePg . Accessed 26 Aug. 2025. Proctor, Darrell. “China Breaks Ground for World’s Largest Hydropower Station.” POWER Magazine , 23 July 2025, www.powermag.com/china-breaks-ground-for-worlds-largest-hydropower-station/ . Singh, Kuldip. “South China Morning Post.” South China Morning Post , 25 Dec. 2020, www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3115341/why-chinas-new-hydropower-project-could-have-security . Accessed 26 Aug. 2025. Stanway, David. “Why China’s Neighbours Are Worried about Its New Mega-Dam Project.” Reuters , 22 July 2025, www.reuters.com/world/china/why-chinas-neighbours-are-worried-about-its-new-mega-dam-project-2025-07-22/ . The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Second Punic War | Carthage and Rome [218 Bce–201 Bce].” Encyclopædia Britannica , 24 July 2014, www.britannica.com/event/Second-Punic-War . “Three Gorges Dam - History and Controversy of the Three Gorges Dam.” Encyclopedia Britannica , www.britannica.com/topic/Three-Gorges-Dam/History-and-controversy-of-the-Three-Gorges-Dam . UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “The Grand Canal.” Unesco.org , 2013, whc.unesco.org/en/list/1443/ . Wikipedia Contributors. “Three Gorges Dam.” Wikipedia , Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Mar. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Gorges_Dam . Marshall, Tim. Prisoners of Geography : Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know about Global Politics . Elliott And Thompson Limited, 2016. Wittfogel, Karl A. Oriental Despotism : A Comparative Study of Total Power . Yale University Press, 1957.

Following the pursuing peace summit between President Trump and President Putin, Trump rapidly invited Zelensky to meet with him in the White House. However, the meeting between the two presidents would not go down the same as it had in February this time. Five European leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and NATO secretary Mark Rutte, would also be present at the meeting (whether they were formally invited by the White House or announced their presence and support of President Zelensky is at best) was a strong shot of European unity against Putin’s provocations, ensuring that Trump could not act rogue and without them. A lot happened in this meeting, which was considerably longer than the two-hour chit-chat in Alaska, and there is a lot to impact, analyse, and say about it. In between United European action, Trump had small side talk with the Kremlin and the president’s new and more diplomatic approach to Zelensky. I am to explain, analyse, and discuss the significance of the key aspects and outcomes of this historic meeting. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stand before a group photo in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Europe strikes back President Trump went solo when he invited Putin to Alaska on Friday, leaving Europe and Ukraine to the side. The bilateral approach sent a strong statement across the Atlantic: “I don’t need you.” President Trump felt confident he could end the war alone but suffered a hard reality check after the summit fell flat on its face, and Trump went home empty-handed. Trying to fix his mistake, Trump invited Zelensky to come meet him in the White House for peace talks, and shortly after five European leaders announced they would also be present. The leaders were very clear that they were coming in support of and to help President Zelensky, and made strong and bold demands for Ukraine’s security and made many statements of unity with Ukraine and opposition to Russia. I believe the best and strongest speech was from Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister, who was clear in regards to Italy’s stance on the matter: “We are on the side of Ukraine,” stated Meloni. She also congratulated and credited the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers in stopping Russian advance and leading “a change in Russia,” helping to end the war. Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, made similar statements showing support for Ukrainian soldiers, saying “Ukraine has supported the brunt (of Russian aggression).” Messages of unity with Ukraine echoed from all European leaders, with Meloni stating, “We have to be united.” There were also calls for a more united West, a shift away from Russia. President Stubb reminded Trump it should be “Team Europe, Ukraine, and USA.” The response to Russian provocations and the bilateral meeting in Alaska went on. Chancellor Merz said, “Let’s put pressure on Russia,” refuting Trump and Putin’s narrative that Europe was impeding peace and putting the blame on Russia. Lastly, all leaders made strong demands for Ukraine security. French President Emmanuel Macron stated there should be a “strong Ukrainian army, now and for years to come,” directly challenging and rejecting Putin’s demands to disarm Ukraine. Additionally, Starmer and Meloni emphasised the need for Rutte’s proposed strong Article 5-like security guarantee. In the defense of civilians came Ursula von der Leyen, who was very vocal with her concerns about the kidnapped children and demanded that every child must be returned to their family. This coordinated action and pressure forced Donald Trump to change his attitude from previously very pro-Putin statements to a position closer to Ukraine. European presence was also likely to be a major factor in the change in Trump‘s behaviour towards President Zelensky, drastically, and much less of a bully than in February. The Europeans were able to pressure Trump greatly, getting him to agree with many European and Ukrainian demands over Russian ones, namely in the area of security guarantees, with Trump going as far as floating the idea of US troops in Ukraine. But more on that later. Ultimately, Europe was able to toughen up and throw themselves back on the world stage and negotiation table. They showed Putin that they won’t let him go rogue and reaffirmed Europe’s unity with and support for Ukraine. Putin wasn’t there, but he still spoke President Putin was naturally not invited to the meeting, but like a ghost, his presence loomed in the White House halls. It was not because of his provocative statements directed at the meeting’s course or because of demands being discussed, but because Donald Trump seemed to serve as the role delegate of Russia speaking for him. Many times, Trump said that Putin was willing to end the war: “I think President Putin wants to find an answer to” and “I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see it ended.” It’s likely true that Vladimir Putin doesn’t want the order to end, but he wants to end with a crippled, designed, and disarmed Ukraine, as we can see by his demands on which she is not willing to compromise. So in all truth, Russia, like Finnish President Stubb said, is the aggressor and is in fact the real obstacle to peace. Trump is free marketing for Putin, spreading and supporting the pro Russian narrative, having stated in regards to ending the war in progress: “This can only be made by President Zelensky (…) in agreement with Putin,” spreading the idea that Ukraine is blocking a peace deal. It would appear Putin’s flattery of Trump in Alaska worked, and he repeats Putin’s claims, a narrative serving as a Russian propaganda machine and making sure the Kremlin had a seat at this meeting and the Kremlin‘s voice was heard. Furthermore, Trump’s side talk with President Vladimir Putin interrupting the meeting can also be speculated as a show of defiance against the European action. We can only speculate what was said in the phone call. I definitely thought European leaders were in agreement with it. Russian state TV’s very positive coverage of the call indicates that it could’ve been another example of Trump’s close ties to Moscow. President Zelensky and President Trump in the Oval Office, Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Outcomes The meeting was aimed at furthering the progress towards, to add to the list of the six wars Trump claims he ended. I believe progress was made as Ukraine’s demands were heard loud and clear thanks to Europe’s help, and the Kremlin finally admitted to a trilateral meeting this particularly important point, which we’ll discuss later in the section. Trilateral meeting After the meeting, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social a statement in which he announced that a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Putin, and Trump was in the works. Obviously, this is excellent progress towards getting a deal agreeable for both sides, but there’s a lot more to it. Firstly, Zelensky’s presence and Putin putting himself available to negotiate with him means recognising him as the legitimate leader of Ukraine. This is a major loss for the Kremlin, who has since the start of the war argued that Zelensky is an illegitimate leader. This should be an admission of defeat from Putin and another failed Russian objective, which was to discredit Zelensky’s legitimacy and impose a pro-Russian government in Kyiv. It is, however, a non-ideal outcome for Europe. President Macron had suggested a quadrilateral approach, but this wasn’t achieved. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t a win, though. European leaders pushed for a trilateral and got it in order to not leave Ukraine out of the negotiations table, but now Zelensky must face the uncompromising dictator invading his country and the world’s least consistent leader, alone. Security Guarantees Following the meeting, the US president seemed much more open to Ukrainian demands, namely in the field of security guarantees, than before. While JD Vance has stated that Europe would take most of the responsibility for the guarantees, he has not stated that the USA will not be involved. Trump also described the possibility of US troops in Ukraine, which is a major step in approximating Kyiv and Washington and opposing Moscow. Ukraine leaves with assurance of support and protection, with great help from European pressure. We cannot forget, however, that in 1994 Ukraine agreed to dismantle its nuclear weapons for security guarantees, and 20 years later they were invaded. These guarantees must be strong, not like Chamberlain promises to Czechoslovakia and the Second World War. We need guarantees which will be upheld and act. Like Meloni said, we need the guarantees “so it won’t happen again.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In conclusion, it was a phenomenal meeting for Europe and Ukraine, a true show of continental unity. While Trump may and has continued his contradictions and switching sides, he’ll be more cautious now as he knows Europe can impose itself. Zelensky goes home happy, knowing Europe has his back, and Putin watches wearily, seeing Europe fight back and stand united with Ukraine. Sources: NBC News. (2025, February 28). Watch Trump and Zelenskyy’s full remarks during White House meeting  [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEOv4x_FIsc The White House. (2025, August 18). President Trump Participates in a Multilateral Meeting with European Leaders  [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpsG75j-0hY Sky News. (2025, August 17). Vladimir Putin 'demands key regions of Ukraine in exchange for peace'   https://news.sky.com/story/vladimir-putin-demands-key-parts-of-ukraine-in-exchange-for-peace-13413322 Sauer, P. (2025, August 16). Russia jubilant after Trump summit as Putin reportedly demands Donetsk and Luhansk. The Guardian .   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/16/russia-jubilant-putin-alaska-summit-trump-ukraine Timmons, H. Balintec, V. Law, Z. Craymer, L. Suleiman, F. Anagnostopoulos, C. Yip, R. Bint Talal, R. Johnson, N. J. Johnson, K. (2025, August 19) Several articles https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-war-live-trump-zelenskiy-discuss-russias-terms-peace-2025-08-18/

Written By: John Martello “The invention of dynamite had meant that the government and the corporations no longer had a monopoly on devastating violence. But they were still its greatest practitioners.” (p. 210) One part of global history that doesn’t get much attention is the chaos of the late 1800s and early 1900s. While most people focus on the Second Industrial Revolution, imperialism, reform movements, and the slow build-up to World War I, there are two major ideas spreading during this time: anarchism and political violence. Steven Johnson’s The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective  dives into this overlooked chapter, charting how anarchism—and oddly enough, dynamite—shaped the era. It starts with Alfred Nobel, who’s known today for the Nobel Prizes. Before that legacy, he was known for inventing dynamite. At first, it was seen as a tool for construction and infrastructure. Over time, it became a weapon—especially for those fighting against industrial capitalism. In an age ruled by robber barons, the fighters were anarchists. Anarchism isn’t easy to define, and Johnson doesn’t try to give a single definition. Instead, he shows how it’s a mix of ideas built around the belief that government is unnecessary. We meet several key figures—Pyotr Kropotkin, Emma Goldman, and Alexander Berkman—each with their vision of how society should work. As anarchism, so did violence and terror. Johnson describes the assassination attempts on major political and industrial leaders, including Czar Nicholas II, President William McKinley, Henry Clay Frick, John D. Rockefeller Jr., and King Umberto I of Italy. These attacks, while not always successful, exposed gaps in policing. Governments realized they needed better tools to track and stop anarchists—and that meant turning to science. During this era, American police were behind European police bureaus. European police forces had already started using photography and physical records to track offenders, and they soon adopted fingerprinting. A lot of modern police techniques came from this period. In some measure, the rise of anarchism in the United States helped push law enforcement to modernize. To me, the story seemed random at first—dynamite, anarchists, detectives. But it all connects. Dynamite gave anarchists a powerful tool; their violence forced governments to respond, and that response led to new ways of policing. Johnson’s book leaves you wondering: how far will someone go to make their message heard? References Johnson, Steven. The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective . New York: Crown Publishing, 2024.

Written by: Manuela Medeiros Felca não só postou um vídeo. Ele acendeu o maior alerta sobre a exploração infantil na internet e sociedade brasileira. No dia 6 de agosto de 2025, Felipe Bressanim Pereira, conhecido como Felca, publicou um dossiê documental de cerca de 50 minutos que escancarou práticas de sexualização e exploração infantil na internet. Entre exemplos, casos e relatos perturbadores, ele trouxe à tona o conceito do chamado “Algoritmo P”, um mecanismo baseado na lógica da personalização, em que as plataformas recomendam conteúdos de acordo com o que o usuário mais curte, comenta ou replica. “Os algoritmos levam em conta o tipo de conteúdo que a pessoa mais interage”, explica Eliana Loureiro, professora e pesquisadora de tecnologia e comunicação da FAAP e da ESPM. Esse mesmo algoritmo, porém, se transformou em uma engrenagem perigosa: em vez de apenas sugerir vídeos, passou a potencializar a exposição de crianças em contextos de abuso, alimentando um ciclo de barbárie digital. Felca não apenas denunciou crimes, denunciou também os cúmplices silenciosos que lucram e se beneficiam desse sistema que nós   ajudamos a criar.  Fig 1. Denúncias de Crimes Cibernéticos da SaferNet Brasil desde o vídeo “Adultização”  À luz da teoria de Darwin, segundo a qual evoluímos pela seleção natural, algumas de nossas características continuam presas à história. Somos, por vezes, primitivos, impiedosos e cruéis, organizados como abelhas em torno de uma colmeia. Mas, neste caso, não é uma rainha quem dita as regras: é o rei da colmeia,  Hytalo Santos.  A "Turma do Hytalo" era um grupo de influenciadores que participava dos conteúdos produzidos por Hytalo Santos. Entre os membros mais destacados estava Kamyla Maria Silva, conhecida como Kamylinha Santos, que iniciou sua participação aos 12 anos e alegava ter sido “adotada” por Hytalo. Ela também foi investigada pelo MP-PB por vídeos com conotação sexual, sendo alvo de críticas por sua exposição precoce nas redes sociais. Kamylinha foi exposta a internet nova, com a cuca fresca e vulnerável. Como um bom “master of puppets”, Hytalo moldava suas bonecas para a monetização e o famoso “confetti”; tanto que o próprio levou suas duas “filhas”, Kamylinha e Danynha, para fazer lipoaspiração no abdômen enquanto Kamylinha iria retirar uma costela para ficar , de acordo com o Hytalo, com "a cinturinha da Barbie", além de também fazer preenchimento labial. Aos 17 anos.   Como reportado no vídeo do Felca, Hytalo e seu marido, Israel Vicente, eram sujeitos a expor este grupo de adolescentes  a conteúdos sexuais já aos seus 13 anos. Enquanto uns brincam de ter filhos na escola, outros são forçados a abandonar a infância para cuidar dos seus  próprios. “Mas qual é o impacto disso?”  "Mas porque isso importa?” Bom, para comecar o Hytalo produzia vídeos e conteúdos digitais com menores de idade em situações de conotação sexual, danças sugestivas, encenações de namoro, perguntas sobre sexo etc. A sexualização de crianças é crime no Brasil e violação direta dos direitos da criança e do adolescente, previstos no Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA). O Hytalo estava cometendo crimes e a internet? Muda. Se isso não fosse o bastante, Hytalo e seu marido foram presos em 15 de agosto de 2025 em Carapicuíba, São Paulo, durante uma operação coordenada pelo Ministério Público da Paraíba e pelo Ministério Público do Trabalho . O proprio é investigado por crimes graves, incluindo tráfico de pessoas, exploração sexual infantil e trabalho infantil artístico irregular, relacionados a conteúdos veiculados nas redes sociais.  O Hytalo não apenas criou um vínculo emocional com estes adolescentes que o viam como um “pai”, mas como também criou a tal da famosa “dependência financeira” onde estes adolescentes já não tinham como se proteger nem consentir de forma livre.  Os vídeos dele tinham milhões de visualizações, o que amplia a exposição das vítimas e o risco de novas formas de abuso, perpetuando o ciclo de exploração.Ele não apenas cometeu o crime, mas também influenciou  e mobilizou outros menores para participar, aumentando a responsabilidade criminal. Mas não me leve a mal, uma colmeia pode ser reinada por mais de um rei.   O caso "Bel para Meninas" ganhou notoriedade em 2020, quando a adolescente Bel Peres e sua mãe, Francinete, foram acusadas de expor a jovem a situações de constrangimento e abuso psicológico em vídeos publicados no YouTube. O canal, que contava com mais de 7 milhões de inscritos, mostrava Bel realizando desafios e atividades que levantaram preocupações sobre sua saúde e bem-estar. Após investigações, o Ministério Público determinou a remoção de todos os vídeos do canal, alegando "exposição vexatória e degradante". A Justiça também proibiu  Bel de se manifestar publicamente sobre o caso. Especialistas em linguagem corporal, como Vitor Santos, apontaram sinais de medo e desconforto nas expressões de Bel durante as gravações, sugerindo uma possível manipulação emocional por parte da mãe e da família, que de acordo com a Bel, tem que responder “ações judiciais que eles nunca cometeram” depois de ser retratada no vídeo do Felca como parte da “prática de sexualizacao infantil”.  Fig 3.  Thumbnail de “Bel para Meninas Fã Clube” em: “Smoothie Challenge a revanche”.  Ao mudar o foco para a América do Norte, esse caso toma um rumo bilíngue e mais sombrio. Piper Rockelle é uma influenciadora digital que iniciou sua carreira aos 8 anos e que recentemente completou 18 anos no dia 21 de agosto de 2025, marcando um ponto de inflexão significativo em sua trajetória; ela finalmente era considerada “maior de idade”.  Conhecida por seus vídeos no YouTube e TikTok, ela acumulou milhões de seguidores e gerou receitas significativas através de suas plataformas. No entanto, sua ascensão foi acompanhada por controvérsias, especialmente relacionadas à gestão de sua mãe, Tiffany Smith, que atuou como sua "momager" (mãe empresária) . 3 anos atrás, em 2022, 11 ex-integrantes do grupo "The Squad", com o qual Piper colaborava, processaram Tiffany Smith, alegando abuso emocional, físico e sexual, além de exploração financeira. Embora Tiffany e seu parceiro Hunter Hill tenham negado as acusações, um acordo de $1,85M foi alcançado em 2024, sem admissão de culpa por nenhuma das partes. Esse episódio foi amplamente abordado no documentário da Netflix, similar ao vídeo do Felca, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing . Tanto que, após o lançamento do documentário, Piper expressou seu desejo de se distanciar das controvérsias passadas e assumir o controle de sua carreira. Piper planeja transferir a propriedade legal de sua marca, Piper Rockelle, Inc., de sua mãe para si mesma, visando proteger sua família e assumir total responsabilidade por seu futuro profissional . Embora não haja evidências de abuso sexual direto, o documentário destaca como crianças e adolescentes foram expostos a situações que reforçavam uma sexualização precoce e pressão para performar para grandes audiências. Enquanto crianças deveriam estar descobrindo o mundo com liberdade e proteção, muitos são transformados em produtos digitais antes mesmo de conhecerem a própria infância. Casos como os de Hytalo Santos, as irmãs Terra, Bel para Meninas e Piper Rockelle não são apenas escândalos isolados, são um alerta urgente: a internet, quando explorada por adultos sem ética, pode roubar a inocência e deixar cicatrizes que duram para sempre. Cabe à sociedade decidir se será cúmplice ou guardiã das próximas gerações Se você quer denunciar exploração ou abuso infantil no Brasil, disque 100.  Works cited:  “Estadão.” Estadão , 2025, www.estadao.com.br/link/cultura-digital/o-que-e-algoritmo-p-citado-pelo-influenciador-que-expos-adultizacao-de-criancas-nas-redes-nprei/ . Accessed 21 Aug. 2025. Adultização . www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpsCzFGL1LE&t=604s . Accessed 21 Aug. 2025. Marques, Carol. “Dias Antes de Ser Preso, Hytalo Santos Levou Duas “Filhas” Para Fazer Cirurgia Em SP: “Lipo E Retirada de Costelas.”” Extra , 19 Aug. 2025, extra.globo.com/famosos/noticia/2025/08/dias-antes-de-ser-preso-hytalo-santos-levou-duas-filhas-para-fazer-cirurgia-em-sp-lipo-e-retirada-de-costelas.ghtml . Accessed 21 Aug. 2025. ---. “Hytalo Santos Preso Após Vídeo de Felca: Quais Acusações Pesam Contra Ele? - BBC News Brasil.” BBC News Brasil , 15 Aug. 2025, www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/c3dp09lv0reo . Accessed 21 Aug. 2025. “Operação Justiça Em Ação: Influencer E Marido Acusados de Crimes de Tráfico Humano E Exploração Sexual Infantil São Presos Preventivamente.” Ministério Da Justiça E Segurança Pública , 15 Aug. 2025, www.gov.br/mj/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/operacao-justica-em-acao-influencer-e-marido-acusados-de-crimes-de-trafico-humano-e-exploracao-sexual-infantil-sao-presos-preventivamente . Accessed 21 Aug. 2025. “Arquivos Bolsonaro - Coletivo Bereia.” Coletivo Bereia , 2025, coletivobereia.com.br/etiquetas/bolsonaro/ . Accessed 21 Aug. 2025. ---. ““Bel Para Meninas” Responde Polêmica Com Felca E Fala Sobre Infância Na Internet.” O Globo , 11 Aug. 2025, oglobo.globo.com/ela/noticia/2025/08/11/bel-para-meninas-responde-polemica-com-felca-e-fala-sobre-infancia-na-internet.ghtml . Accessed 21 Aug. 2025. Latifi, Fortesa, and Morganne Boulden. “Former Kidfluencer Piper Rockelle Turned 18. This Birthday, She Hopes, Will Change Everything.” Teen Vogue , 21 Aug. 2025, www.teenvogue.com/story/piper-rockelle-profile ? Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Freedom of speech, a universal human right, is seemingly under attack in numerous countries. Nowhere is this issue more present than in the United States, a nation founded based on the voice of the opposition. Yet, it seems that we are moving backwards. Freedom of speech, in its earliest form, was practiced during the time of the Ancient Greeks. Aside from democracy, architecture, the Olympics, and the famous Gods and Goddesses, Ancient Greece is responsible for many modern governmental and philosophical ideas. In modern times, we understand freedom of speech as defined by Article 19 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protecting “the right to freedom of opinion and expression…without interference…” Yet, as we have recently seen in the United States and all over the world, freedom of speech has not always been without interference.  Fig. 1: Free Speech is Important, but not Many Have it. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/04/24/free-expression-seen-as-important-globally-but-not-everyone-thinks-their-country-has-press-speech-and-internet-freedoms/ .  In the United States, President Trump has launched a series of threats against institutions, people, communities, and even late-night talk shows. One does not need to look deep into the news to see that the cornerstone of American democracy (the First Amendment) is threatened. Recently, President Trump received over $30 million in combined settlements from Paramount Global and Disney in response to lawsuits brought against them for their reporting. Furthermore, President Trump has even acted against the often right-leaning Wall Street Journal and threatened to revoke the citizenship of comedian Rosie O’Donnell, former Trump advisor and friend Elon Musk, and popular New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. This, coupled with the defunding of NPR, PBS, and even Harvard University, should raise alarms for many people. Freedom of speech, seemingly, is crumbling right in front of us. It is important to note that censorship exists across partisan lines. We saw the rise of censorship and attempts to crack down on misinformation during the former presidency of Joe Biden, with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, stating that Facebook was “pressured” to censor misinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was clear that the Biden White House worked to combat misinformation , whereas the Trump White House sought to discredit accurate information  or criticism .  In the age of social media, where a single tweet can mislead millions, misinformation is a constant threat. On a personal level, there is a need to restrict the misinformation spread on social media. Combined with hate speech intended to promote violence, there needs to be some type of regulation, regardless of partisanship, race, gender, religion, or sexuality. Given the size of the media landscape, there is no limit to what happens when an entire population is misinformed.  However, citizens must answer important questions about monitoring misinformation. For example, when and how should the government intervene? Should there be a nonpartisan agency that monitors misinformation? What does this do for privacy and data laws? And most importantly, would this violate a human right?  Freedom of speech is vital to democracies. If historical trends mean anything, it is reasonable to say that suppression of speech is straight out of a fascist playbook. With fascism often comes a dictator. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, professor of history at New York University, urges us to view the parallels and connect the dots. Writing for CNN, Ben-Ghiat laments that President Trump has praised numerous authoritarian leaders (Putin, Hitler, Erdogan) because the praise “ ...should be understood as part of a re-education strategy: conditioning Americans to see authoritarianism as a superior form of government to democracy”.  Fig. 2: Is Trump a Dictator? https://www.axios.com/2025/04/29/prri-poll-most-americans-trump-dangerous-dictator .  Should we be worried about our freedom of speech? Sadly, there is cause for concern. However, the only way to keep pushing for freedom of speech is to keep exercising it. To support journalists, read books, listen to podcasts, and digest other forms of media. Freedom of speech is powerful, and with great power comes great responsibility. After all, we may not all have red capes, but we sure have superpowers: our voice. Works Cited Al Jazeera. “Trump Administration Bars Wall Street Journal from Trip Amid Epstein Spat.” July 22, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/22/trump-administration-bars . Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. “Trump’s Praise of Dictators Tells Us All We Need to Know.” CNN. March 14, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/14/opinions/trump-dictators.html .  Contreras, Russell. “Most Americans see Trump as 'Danger Dictator’,” Poll Says.” AXIOS. April 29, 2025. https://www.axios.com/2025/04/29/prri-poll-most-americans-trump-dangerous . Covington, Dennis. “On Truth Telling and Dictatorship.” The American Scholar. October 31, 2017. https://theamericanscholar.org/on-truth-telling-and-dictatorship/ .  Folkenflik, David. “How Bipartisan Support for Public Media Unraveled in the Trump Era.” NPR. July 18, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2025/07/18/nx-s1-5469920/pbs-npr-funding-rescission .  James, Meg. “After CBS and ABC’s Trump Settlements, Democrats Want to Curb Presidential Library Gifts. Los Angeles Times. July 16, 2025. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-07-16/cbs-abc-trump-payouts .  Legal Information Institute. “First Amendment.” Accessed July 22, 2025. https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment .   Lin, Herbert, and Marshall Van Alstyne. “Should the Government Regulate Social Media?” Divided We Fall. May 18, 2022. https://dividedwefall.org/should-the-government-regulate-social-media/ . Makuch, Ben. “US Free-Speech Rights Shredded Despite Trump Vow to be First-Amendment Champion.” The Guardian. June 19, 2025.  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/19/us-free-speech-rights-trump .  PBS News. “Zuckerberg Says the White House Pressured Facebook to 'Censor' Some COVID-19 Content During the Pandemic.” August 27, 2024. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/zuckerberg-says-the-white-house-pressured-facebook .  Poushter, Jacob, Maria Smerkovich, Moira Fagan, and Andrew Prozorovsky. “Free Expression Seen as Important Globally, but Not Everyone Thinks Their Country Has Press, Speech and Internet Freedoms.” PEW Research Center. April 24, 2025. https://pewrsr.ch/42LKUDC .  Uribe, Maria Ramirez. “Fact-Checking Trump’s Threat to Take Away Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. Citizenship.” PBS News. July 16, 2025. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trumps-threat .  United Nations. “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Accessed July 22, 2025. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights .  Vile, John. “Use of Military to Quell Protests, Civil Disturbances.” Free Speech Center. June 23, 2025. https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/use-of-military-to-quell-protests .

Written by: John Martello From July 4-7, 2025, Central Texas experienced catastrophic flash floods that have since left 132 people dead and over 100 people missing. As searches continue for the missing, many have wondered how the flood could have caused so much destruction. Texas, one of the most prone states to natural disasters in the United States, seemingly has continued to recover from disasters time and time again. In a state that received an average of $1.4 billion from FEMA and HUD from 2015 to 2024, what is the missing link?   Asking that question brings increasingly partisan issues to the forefront: climate change and administrative capabilities. Climate change, according to the United Nations, is the shift in temperature and weather patterns. Climate change is generally caused by the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. With the increase in global temperature, weather events become more common and intense. Fig 1. Showing an increase in global natural disasters since 1970. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/natural-disasters-by-type .   How does climate change fit within the confines of the Texas floods? It has been generally asserted by academia and government organizations (see this summary from the Texas Tribune ) that climate change increases the severity of extreme weather events. In Central Texas, the Guadalupe rose to over 30 feet. Across the United States and much of the broader world, we have seen these disasters occur more frequently than ever.  Despite this scientific backing, the largely Republican-led Texas continues to dismiss climate change and funding for preparation as the climate warms. According to the MIT Climate Portal, the Texas Legislature has killed bills advocating in favor of preparing for climate change since 2009. This time, it makes many wonder if native Texans will begin to press their representatives to guide efforts to support climate change. Administratively, President Trump revealed plans as recently as June to begin a process of decreasing the size and scope of FEMA, backed by his Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Likewise, in recent reports, Secretary Kristi Noem has come under attack for her response and management of FEMA during this time. In documents recovered from the New York Times, it was revealed that FEMA did not accurately respond to calls in response to the flood, given the issue of Noem signing call center contracts late. Fig 2. Showing federal job cuts as of July 14, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/politics/tracking-federal-workforce-firings-dg .  Partisanship aside, it is time to come together to consider the impacts of climate change as it hits those all over the world. Could the damage in Texas have been prevented? While unlikely, some efforts could be made at the local, state, national, and global levels that not only acknowledge the role of climate change but also take a direct step towards proactive policies, not reactive ones. In a hardline state like Texas and with a staunch President Trump, efforts towards climate change may remain in peril. Collectively, all of us play a part in this complex issue. Climate change awareness continues in all parts of the world, and rightfully so.  While searches in Texas continue, we honor all of those who have lost a loved one at the hands of climate change and those first responders who helped restore peace and order in the affected regions.  Works Cited Angueria, Gabriela. “Trump’s Plan to Begin ‘Phasing Out’ FEMA After Hurricane Season Burdens States, Experts Warn.” Associated Press. June 11, 2025.  https://apnews.com/article/fema-hurricane-season-trump-eliminate-state-funding-25fb7714414e17fa51156be7e91a4474 . Choi, Annette, Gainor, Danya, and Carroll, Kate. “Tracking Trump’s Overhaul of the Federal Workforce.” CNN. July 15, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/politics/tracking-federal-workforce-firings-dg .  Climate Central. “Understanding the Climate Connection with the Devastating Texas Floods.” July 7, 2025. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/texas-us-floods .  Climate Portal. “Texas Political Leaders are Indifferent, if not Hostile, to Climate Change Mitigation.” Climate Portal MIT. April 22, 2025.  https://climate.mit.edu/posts/texas-political-leaders-are-indifferent-if-not-hostile-climate-change-mitigation . Martin, Arcelia. “Climate Change Helped Fuel Heavy Rains that Caused Hill Country Floods, Experts Say.” The Texas Tribune. July 9, 2025. https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-hill-country-floods-kerrville-climate-change/?utm_campaign=trib-social-buttons&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=social .   Our World in Data. “Global Reported Natural Disasters by Type, 1970 to 2024.” Our World in Data. Accessed July 17, 2025. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/natural-disasters-by-type .  Palmer, Kathryn. “Noem Defends Policies Amid Reports FEMA Didn’t Answer Thousands of Flood Survivor Calls.” USA Today. July 13, 2025.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/13/kristi-noem-fema-calls-not-answered-meet-the-press/85062797007/ .  Pilkington, Ed. “The Texas Way: Why the Most Disaster-Prone US State is so Allergic to Preparing for Disasters.” The Guardian. July 13, 2025.  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/13/texas-disaster-weather-preparations-us . Shalvey, Kevin. “Texas Flooding Live Updates.” ABC News. July 14, 2025.  https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/texas-flooding-live-updates/?id=123729682 . Tsiaperas, Tasha, and Patel, Shafaq. “Mapped: FEMA funding in Texas.” AXIOS. March 24, 2025. https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/03/24/mapped-fema-funding-in-texas .   United Nations. “What Is Climate Change?” Accessed July 14, 2025. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change .   World Meteorological Organization. “WMO Confirms 2024 as Warmest Year on Record at About 1.55°C Above Pre-Industrial Level.” January 10, 2025. https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/wmo-confirms-2024-warmest-year-record-about-155degc-above-pre-industrial-level .  Wild, Sarah. “Why Were the Texas Flash Floods so Catastrophic?” Live Science. July 8, 2025.  https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/flooding/why-were-the-texas-flash-floods-so-catastrophic .

Written By: John Martello While much news coverage is centered around the escalating famine conditions in Gaza, there are seemingly a few global hotspots that are experiencing similar conditions. What does famine mean? How does famine occur? And what are its implications on a global scale? Famine, according to Action Against Hunger, is the “extremest shortage of food and several children and adults within a certain area are dying of hunger on a daily basis.” The shortage of food can be caused by numerous factors: climate change, military conflicts, displacement, poverty, or political and economic instability. Historically, famines are prolonged by governmental policies or actions. Simply put, a majority of famines are man-made. In the 1930s, Stalin’s harsh policy of collectivization and high farm quotas forced Ukraine into a famine that caused the deaths of up to 10 million. In the same vein, Mao Zedong pushed China into a famine as a result of his Great Leap Forward, killing an estimated 30 million people.  Currently, the international community relies on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) for designations regarding food insecurity. The IPC is made up of 21 different organizations and institutions, including the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization. This global effort monitors and determines food insecurity.  Fig. 1, IPC Phase Classifications https://www.ipcinfo.org/famine-facts/   The IPC has 5 Phases to categorize food insecurity: None, Stressed, Crisis, Emergency, and Catastrophe/Famine. Phase 3 (Crisis) can be defined as when households have a lack of food and can meet minimum needs through selling financial or personal assets. Phase 4 (Emergency) builds upon the Crisis by including large food consumption gaps and mortality, employing emergency measures to increase food intake. Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine) is characterized by death, destitution, and an extreme lack of food.  According to the IPC, there are 5 countries in Phase 5: Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Gaza. All 5 of these countries are teetering in this phase due to similar conditions: violence and conflict, displacement, climate, and a breakdown in essential services. Four times as many countries fall into Phase 4, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Yemen, and Afghanistan.  The recognition of famine tends to be a contested issue. Labels cause outrage; however, labels create a strong push for aid. Famine has already been declared in the Zamzam camp in Sudan. Just recently, US President Donald Trump acknowledged the conditions in Gaza, stating that “we have to get the kids fed.” This bypasses the reports and statements from the Israeli government and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who constantly pushes that there is “no starvation in Gaza.” As of publication, famine in Gaza has not been declared by the IPC.  On a global scale, there were 757 million people affected by chronic hunger in 2023, according to Oxfam. Similar data from Oxfam also suggests that between 8,000 to 23,000 people die each day from hunger. How can we combat this? The simple way is to support the institutions and organizations that provide aid to combat world hunger. There is no shortage of involved private and public organizations: Rise Against Hunger, The Hunger Project, the World Food Programme, or the International Fund for Agricultural Development. We can use our collective action to help strive towards ending world hunger, no matter how small that action may be.  Works Cited Action Against Hunger. “What is Famine?” Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/the-hunger-crisis/world-hunger-facts/what-is-famine/ . Brown, Clayton. “China’s Great Leap Forward.” Association for Asian Studies. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/chinas-great-leap-forward/ .  Da Silva, Chantal. “Trump Says There is ‘Real Starvation’ in Gaza and U.S. Will Set Up Food Centers.” NBC News. July 28, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/gaza/israel-aid-gaza-starvation-food-military-pauses-rcna221415 . Dowdell, Jaimi, Lena Masri, Giulia Paravicini, Ryan McNeill, and Nafisa Eltahir. “Halt in US Aid Cripples Global Efforts to Relieve Hunger.” Reuters. February 7, 2025.  https://www.reuters.com/world/halt-us-aid-cripples-global-efforts-relieve-hunger .  Ebrahim, Nadeen. “‘Worst-Case Scenario of Famine’ is Unfolding in Gaza, UN-Backed Food Security Initiative Says.” CNN. July 29, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/29/middleeast/famine-is-unfolding-in-gaza-un-backed-food-security-initiative-says-intl . Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. “IPC Overview and Classification System.” IPC. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/ipc-overview-and-classification-system/en/ .  Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. “IPC Famine Fact Sheet.” IPC. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.ipcinfo.org/famine-facts/ .  Lambert, Jonathan. “Study: 14 Million Lives Could be Lost Due to Trump Aid Cuts.” NPR. July 1, 2025. https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/07/01/nx-s1-5452513/trump-usaid-foreign-aid-deaths .  Markevich, Andrei, Natalya Naumenko, and Nancy Qian. “Why Did So Many Ukrainians Die in the Soviet Great Famine?” Kellogg Insight. October 1, 2022. https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/ukraine-famine-holodomor-causes . World Food Programme. “A Global Food Crisis.” World Food Programme. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.wfp.org/global-hunger-crisis .

by Tiago Caixado Last month, the Left-Wing faction of the Democratic Party came alive after inexperienced Democratic Socialist assemblyman Zohran Mamdani fought off scandal-plagued, and initial frontrunner, Former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic Primary for the New York City Mayoral election by a significant margin, raising a difficult question on whether the party should implement a strategy to shift significantly more to the left, or if they should stay in the path of the “centre-left” identity they have retained since the presidency of Barack Obama. Well, to put it bluntly: They should do neither.  The truth is that the current path Democrats are taking is a walking disaster. They’ve tried to hold together a fragile alliance of New England Progressives, Technocratic centrists, and disillusioned moderates by promising everything to everyone,  and delivering almost nothing. As a result, they’re bleeding trust among everyday Americans, especially in working-class suburbs and heartland communities they once relied on. Moving further left won’t fix this. In fact, it risks making things worse. Candidates like Zohran Mamdani may win in progressive urban strongholds, but their brand of politics : rigid, ideological, and often out of touch with basic day to day concerns simply doesn’t resonate outside the most progressive bubbles. For every Brooklyn assemblyman who wins, there’s a swath of swing voters in Michigan, Nevada, or even Pennsylvania who look at phrases like “democratic socialism” and turn away. Fig 1. Sohran Mandani News, Israel National. “Trump: I Won’t Let Communist Lunatic Zohran Mandani Destroy New York.” Israel National News , 2 July 2025, www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411028 . Accessed 8 Aug. 2025. But doubling down on the old playbook of carefully-worded centrism and cautious half-measures isn’t the answer either. That model may have worked in the early 2000s, but the electorate has changed, and so have the stakes. Trying to preserve the Obama-era identity as a ‘big tent center-left’ party without confronting new political realities is how you end up being neither bold nor popular. Instead of asking whether to go left or stay put, Democrats should be asking a different question: What do voters actually want now? Not what plays well in donor meetings or online circles, but what working and middle-class people are genuinely asking for. Focus on issues that cut across ideological lines. Affordable living, public safety, economic stability, functional governance. Drop the culture war fixation, stop treating X as a constituency, and start rebuilding credibility on results, not labels.  In other words, the party doesn’t need a dramatic swing left or a nostalgic defense of the status quo. It needs to get real. Because if Democrats can’t offer something grounded, focused, and real, they’ll keep losing not just elections, but relevance overall. The 2026 elections are ever so close, and they will prove to be important, with gubernatorial elections in 36 states, senatorial elections in 35 states, and the entirety of Congress at stake.  There isn’t a lot of time. Democrats must act quickly. That is of course if they don’t want to risk getting trounced and embarrassed like they did in 2024. Works Cited: Taheri, Mandy. “Democrats Want Party to Move Right, Poll Finds.” Newsweek , 13 Feb. 2025, www.newsweek.com/democrats-want-party-move-right-poll-2030713 . Parnes, Amie. “New Poll Delivers Troubling Signs for Democrats.” The Hill , 11 July 2025, thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5395563-democrats-losing-support-white-voters/ . Press, The Associated. “The 2026 Senate Map Is Tough for Democrats, but Republicans Have Their Own Headaches.” MPR News , 20 July 2025, www.mprnews.org/story/2025/07/20/the-2026-senate-map-is-tough-for-democrats-but-republicans-have-their-own-headaches . Accessed 8 Aug. 2025. Wikipedia Contributors. “2026 United States Senate Elections.” Wikipedia , Wikimedia Foundation, 2 May 2025.