Public Policy

These award-winning feds want to advance science for the public good — and challenge stereotypes about government work

Seven federal employees, including Jan Tyler, will receive a prestigious award for their contributions to science and public service, while William Phillips is to be honoured for his lifetime achievements in physics and public benefit.

The Atlanticist Generation Leaves Congress

Several key lawmakers who supported Ukraine and transatlantic coalitions are leaving Congress, including Senators Shaheen and Tillis, and Representatives McCaul and Bacon, due to retirement or election loss. Their departure will impact the US's stance on European security. A new Congress will take office in January.

Europe's Plot To End Americans' Online Anonymity

European governments are introducing stricter online regulations, claiming they are necessary for child safety, but critics argue this could lead to a loss of online anonymity and free speech in the US.

Editor's noteThe UK's crusade against 'misinformation' is a Trojan horse for online regulation, and its influence is spreading to the US. Watch the number of arrests for online speech, not the number of press releases, to gauge the true cost of this 'war on misinformation'.

J.D. Vance Blames Iran for Republican Midterm Wipeout

Vice President J.D. Vance has attributed the Republican party's midterm election loss to alleged Iranian influence, sparking debate among media commentators and editors. The claim has been discussed in a recent segment of the Free Media podcast.

Editor's noteVice President J.D. Vance's claim that Iran is responsible for the Republican midterm wipeout is a red herring. The real issue is the party's failure to connect with voters on domestic issues. Watch whether Vance's Iran narrative is used to deflect from internal party problems or to justify a shift in foreign policy priorities.

GSA appoints former banking exec as new government contracting head

Jennifer Hill, a former banking executive, has been appointed as the new head of the Federal Acquisition Service, which manages a large volume of government contracts worth over $125 billion.

Indiana Republican Who Said Undocumented Immigrants Shouldn't Get Due Process Has Lost Reelection to Congress

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R–Ind.) lost her congressional seat after saying undocumented immigrants shouldn't get due process. She was defeated by J.D. Ford, who will take her place in Congress, with over 95% of votes counted.

Canada’s “Associate” EU Membership Should Be Digital

Canada and EU leaders have proposed an 'associate member' status, with a focus on digital cooperation. This includes existing digital partnerships with countries like Japan and Singapore, which have led to balanced trade and no security risks.

FedRAMP 20x picks up steam with first full ‘Class C’ certification to AI company

Perplexity, an AI company, has become the first to achieve a FedRAMP 'Class C' certification, aligning with the 'moderate' classification, under the accelerated '20x' process for government cloud service providers.

‘Exit survey’ of former feds finds fears of civil service politicization under Trump — and many willing to return to their agencies

A survey of over 2,000 former US civil servants found that nearly half cited politicization as a reason for leaving, with similar levels reported across various political ideologies. Those laid off reported feeling coerced into leaving, contradicting OPM's claim that most departures were voluntary.

Editor's notePoliticization of the civil service is not a partisan issue, but a symptom of a system that prioritizes downsizing over retention. Watch whether the OPM's voluntary departure numbers hold up to scrutiny, as the coerced layoffs of nearly 300,000 employees suggest a more complex story.

How China Might Target US Midterms

China's influence on US midterms is a concern, with potential to shape debate through WeChat and AI models. Key races feature Commission members critical of Beijing, while Texas is a sensitive state due to its large Chinese American population and WeChat usage.

My New Dispatch Article on the Legal Case Against Trump's Section 338 Tariffs Targeting Canadian Imports

A US court case has been filed against Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports, citing a 1930 trade law. The tariffs, worth 50% on various goods, are being challenged by a New Jersey-based food importer.

Supreme Court to Consider Successive Habeas Claim in Capital Case, Twenty Years After the Murder

The US Supreme Court will consider a capital case involving a prisoner's claim of intellectual disability, 20 years after the murder, and whether a new factual predicate can be used in a successive habeas application.

Editor's noteA successive habeas claim is not a new rule, but a new fact. Watch whether the Supreme Court's decision hinges on the distinction between a change in law and a change in evidence, and whether that distinction is enough to save Johnson's claim from AEDPA's prohibition on successive applications.

China Claims Strong Economic Growth, but Skeptics Question Official Figures

Economists are questioning China's official economic growth figures, citing discrepancies between reported data and independent estimates. Concerns over data collection methods and potential political influence are also being raised. Independent estimates suggest a different economic reality.

Articles On: AI, Semiconductors, Chinese Markets, U.S.-China Trade, EVs, and Foreign Investment

Reports have been published on the negative consequences of the Chinese Communist Party's economic policies on several industries, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and electric vehicles, as well as Chinese markets and foreign investment.

Articles On: AI and Foreign Surveillance Chips

The Chinese Communist Party is seeking to control information technology to shape and censor communications within China and beyond its borders. This control enables the Party to monitor and influence the opinions of its citizens and others. The Party's goals are multifaceted and far-reaching.

Editor's noteChina's push to embed surveillance chips in foreign tech is a demonstration of its willingness to compromise global supply chains for domestic control. The real cost is the loss of trust in international trade, watch the reaction of major tech companies to these revelations.

Treasury, IRS use of third-party ID verification under fire from top Senate Finance, Banking Dems

Two Senate Democrats, Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren, have written to the Treasury Secretary and IRS CEO, expressing concerns about the use of ID.me for accessing TreasuryDirect, citing potential security risks and lack of digital proficiency among older Americans.

Experts: What China wants from the COP31 climate talks

China's priorities for the COP31 climate talks in Turkey are unclear, but the country has previously pushed for dialogue on unilateral trade measures and south-south cooperation, and has championed climate action through multilateralism.

Analysis: China’s clean-tech exports in 2026 to avoid as much CO2 as Brazil emits in a year

China's clean-tech exports in 2026 are projected to reduce global CO2 emissions by 2%, with a total of 450m tonnes of CO2 avoided, equivalent to Brazil's annual emissions, according to new analysis.

Editor's noteChina's clean-tech exports are a small step towards global emissions reduction, but the real test is whether they displace domestic coal-fired power, not just export it. Watch whether the electricity generated by these exports is used to replace coal in China's own grid, or simply sold to countries that can afford it.

How Wolford v. Lopez Refines Second Amendment Doctrine

The Supreme Court's decision in Wolford v. Lopez clarified Second Amendment doctrine, holding that governments cannot restrict licensed handgun owners in most areas, and establishing a new standard for determining what falls within the amendment's plain text.

Editor's noteWolford v. Lopez's impact on Second Amendment doctrine is overstated. The decision's real significance lies in its rejection of analogies to past racist gun control laws. Watch whether lower courts apply this new standard consistently, particularly in cases involving Hawaii's 'Vampire Rule'.

A US-China-Russia Summit: What’s at Stake?

US, China, and Russia leaders may meet at the APEC summit, potentially influencing the Ukraine conflict and global perceptions of the meeting's significance and implications for international relations and diplomacy.

Serbia’s New Government Needs New Security Services

Serbia's new government faces a key test in reforming its security services, which have been criticized for politicized and violent behavior, including the 2003 assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić and surveillance of journalists and activists.

GSA expands OneGov agreement with Anthropic, touting steep discounts

GSA has secured a new agreement with Anthropic, offering federal agencies a significant discount on usage of Claude models, with no minimum purchase required and costs tied to actual consumption.

Editor's noteGSA's new agreement with Anthropic is a consumption-based pricing model, not a cost solution. Watch whether token consumption transparency improves, because without it, costs will be difficult to predict, as Gartner warns, and may even surpass developer salaries by 2028.

Serbia’s New Government Has a Mountain to Climb

Aleksandar Vučić's 12-year rule in Serbia has ended with a landslide election victory for the Student List, securing a 53-39% vote and a working parliamentary majority with a record turnout of 34 years.

Brickbat: Money for Nothing

Around 800 Scottish government employees are being paid despite not having a job, with one NHS worker receiving a full salary for 17 years. The estimated annual cost is £27 million, but the actual cost is likely higher due to undisclosed salary information.

IRS says it needs top performers, even if they don’t all get the performance ratings they deserve

The IRS is urging employees to be top performers despite a cap on top ratings, with some questioning the value of exceeding expectations if recognition is unlikely due to performance review restrictions.

Action Needed to Get Ukraine’s Grain to the World

Ukraine's grain corridor has been severely impacted by Russian attacks, with 60% of exports relying on sea transportation. Alternative routes are not viable due to costs and volumes. Storage capacity is also a concern.

Years Of Learning To Love Self Undone By Single Glimpse Of Body In Self-Checkout Camera

Alena Reese's self-image was damaged after seeing her body on a self-checkout camera at Target, undoing years of therapy and self-acceptance. She was shocked by her appearance and changed her shopping plans. The incident occurred in San Diego.

America Is Spending Billions To Fight the War on Terror in Africa. The Terrorists Are Winning.

US spending $355 billion on African counterterrorism since 2001, but Al Qaeda and Islamist groups continue to expand, with a 101,300% increase in terrorism fatalities in the Sahel and Somalia from 2002 to 2022.

Editor's noteThe billions spent on African counterterrorism are a failed bet, with Islamist groups expanding despite US spending. Watch the impact of the Sahelian civil wars on regional stability, as the rival JNIM and Islamic State Sahel Province continue to clash.

"AI Deepfakes in Court"

Damien Charlotin's database tracks 26 cases worldwide where deepfakes were submitted as evidence, including failures to authenticate exhibits and findings on AI-generated content. The database focuses on cases where deepfakes were used to support claims, not cases about deepfakes as a subject.

Editor's noteA database of 26 court cases using deepfakes as evidence is a symptom of a broader problem: the lack of clear guidelines on AI-generated content. Watch whether courts start to develop standards for authenticating AI-generated exhibits, or if they continue to struggle with the issue.

Articles On: Tariffs, US-China Relations, EU-China Trade, Chinese Exports, AI Competition, Foreign Influence, Economic Policy, and Global Trade Wars

Commentators worldwide criticise Chinese Communist Party activities, highlighting potential harms and suggesting alternative economic policies to protect global interests and trade relationships. Experts propose solutions to mitigate these effects. Various leaders weigh in on the issue.

Articles On: AI, Semiconductors, Export Controls, U.S.-China Trade, Chinese Economy, Electric Vehicles, Battery Technology, Industrial Policy, and Demographics

Reports have been compiled on the adverse effects of China's economic policies on various sectors, including AI, semiconductors, and electric vehicles, highlighting areas of concern. China's commercial and economic policies have been linked to negative impacts on several industries. Data on these sectors has been collected and analyzed.

The Ancient and Honorable Art of AI Hallucination

A University of Chicago law professor's response to a 2015 article was fabricated by Google's AI Gemini, which provided a title, summary, and citation for a non-existent publication. The AI's response was based on a non-existent follow-up piece. The professor had not actually replied to the original article.

What’s new in Homeland Security’s updated AI policy

DHS has updated its AI policy, prohibiting internal use for mass surveillance or predicting individual behavior, but allowing the agency's AI lead to override these restrictions with minimal oversight. The policy took effect in September and is largely in line with the 2025 version. The agency's AI lead can waive requirements with minimal review.

France Is Learning the Hard Way What Happens When the Socialist Bill Comes Due

Protests in France have turned violent, with rioters setting fire to buildings, vandalizing property, and looting stores, particularly in cities with socialist governments, such as Marseille and Paris. The unrest is linked to student and retiree grievances over education and pension reform. Many cities are affected.

Editor's noteFrance's protests are not just about reform, but a reckoning with the consequences of a socialist bill that promised too much and delivered too little. The violence is a symptom of a deeper crisis of governance and a society struggling to balance competing demands. Watch the government's response to the unrest, particularly its handling of the 'Casseurs'.

Pen Pushers Help Engineers Keep Ukraine’s Lights On

Ukraine is transitioning to a decentralized energy system with smaller power sources and backup systems to reduce reliance on traditional infrastructure vulnerable to Russian attacks and strikes. This shift involves expanding distributed generation and storage. Funding has been allocated for regional resilience plans.

HHS to make sole-source award to Anthropic ahead of broader AI competition

HHS intends to award Anthropic a sole-source contract for Claude services, citing the tool's proprietary nature and its existing deployment within the agency, while a broader competition is planned for the future.

Liberty Justice Center Files First Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Section 338 Tariffs Against Canadian Imports

Liberty Justice Center has filed a lawsuit in a US trade court against President Trump's Section 338 tariffs on Canadian imports, citing concerns over the tariffs' legality and potential harm to trade relations.

Druid Loving This Cloak Weather

Fográith, a local druid, is enjoying the autumnal weather in Ireland, favouring the cooler temperatures to don his heavy bull-hide cloak and engage in seasonal activities such as brewing and divining.

Editor's noteFográith's enthusiasm for autumnal weather is a predictable indulgence, but the real story is the human sacrifice he's planning to burn alive. Watch the wicker man's construction, because the size and complexity of the effigy will reveal whether Fográith's Mabon celebrations are a harmless ritual or a harbinger of darker practices.

Trump’s IG pick at the VA is ‘watering down’ oversight, some employees allege

Cheryl Mason, the VA's Inspector General, has been accused by some employees of reducing the office's oversight work, leading to a decline in services for veterans, following significant staff reductions and changes to working conditions.

Editor's noteStaff cuts and watered-down oversight at the VA's IG office are a recipe for disaster. The real issue isn't the number of employees, but the loss of institutional knowledge and experience. Watch the quality of audits and investigations, not just the headcount, to see if Mason's changes pay off.

This cybersecurity agency is supposed to protect U.S. elections. Officials fear it’s been compromised by Trump

US election security officials are concerned they were asked to compromise their work by Trump appointees, who requested a voting machine be secretly examined for flaws. The request was seen as a potential tool for election interference. CISA's resources have been significantly reduced under Trump's administration.

Editor's noteCISA's compromise is not a one-off. The agency's resources have been systematically drained by the Trump administration, shrinking its workforce by a third and reducing its budget. Watch the 2027 budget proposal's impact on CISA's ability to protect US elections.

Britain Wants To Punish Microsoft for Being Too Successful

The UK's competition regulator has proposed designating Microsoft as a strategic market player, giving it powers to regulate the company's business practices. The move is aimed at addressing concerns over Microsoft's dominance in the market, particularly in product bundling and interoperability.

Trump Slashing Deportation Protections Shows Why Temporary Status Shouldn't Depend on Who's President

The Trump administration has ended temporary protected status for 13 countries, affecting over 1 million people, who will now lose their protections and potentially become undocumented. This has left 1 million people without protection. The status shields migrants from deportation.

Weird Cleveland Browns Fan Has No Children On Team

A Cleveland Browns fan was seen at a game without any family members on the team, prompting confusion and alarm among spectators who questioned his motives for attending the game. He claimed to be a season ticket holder. His actions were met with bewilderment.

Articles On: PRC, Nvidia, TikTok, AI, and Technology Diffusion

The Chinese Communist Party is attempting to exert control over information technology to influence and censor communications within China and beyond its borders. This effort involves shaping public opinion and suppressing dissenting views. The party's goals are multifaceted and far-reaching.

Articles On: U.S.-China Relations, Europe-China Trade, AI and Robotics, Taiwan, Chinese Politics, and National Security

Commentary from around the world examines the consequences of Chinese Communist Party actions and proposes measures to protect national interests and security in areas such as trade, politics, and national security.

Changing Ukraine’s President Will Change Nothing

A public opinion survey in Ukraine found that incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Gen. Valery Zaluzhny are the top contenders to win a hypothetical election, with similar results shown in other polls.

Editor's noteA new president in Ukraine would be no less hawkish on Russia than the current one. The alternatives to Zelenskyy would likely pursue a similarly principled, pro-Ukrainian policy. Watch whether Zaluzhny's stance on negotiations with Russia changes if he becomes president, and whether he signs a peace deal on Ukraine's terms.

Trump Cancels Planned Livestream Of Jon Ossoff’s Execution

US President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned livestream of the execution of Senator Jon Ossoff, citing it as a deterrent for Democrats. The execution is still set to proceed, but without live broadcast.

AI slop responses to RFPs, RFIs are overwhelming federal agencies

Federal agencies are struggling to manage a surge in automated responses to procurement requests, with some receiving up to 500 responses to a single inquiry, overwhelming their ability to review and assess the information.

AI offers Secret Service unique mission enhancements, official says

US Secret Service is leveraging AI to enhance its operations, including threat monitoring and investigation, with the technology poised to help the agency respond to future risks more effectively, according to its IT and AI lead.

How Should Flock Cameras Be Regulated Under the Fourth Amendment?

Flock cameras have raised concerns under the Fourth Amendment, prompting calls for regulation. A Stanford Law School lecture on the topic is available online, with a video and Q&A session.

Editor's noteFlock cameras are a Fourth Amendment issue, not a technology problem. The real question is whether they're a surveillance state Trojan horse, or a legitimate tool for public safety. Watch the number of cameras deployed in public spaces, not the number of lawsuits filed.

Republicans and Democrats Agree on AI Reform

Congress is considering AI reform bills, including the AI Kill Switch Act and the FRONTIER Act, which aim to regulate AI safety and innovation, with bipartisan support from Democrats and Republicans.

What it takes to build accountable AI in government

Federal agencies are testing AI, but the challenge lies in integrating it into existing systems to ensure accountability and prevent errors in real-time, rather than just using standalone tools. This requires connecting AI with data, workflows, and controls. Agencies aim to shift from reactive to preventive measures.

Dropping degree requirements from federal contracts opens the door to AI-enabled services

US Congress passes Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act, removing degree requirements from federal contracts, allowing agencies to assess skills instead of education. This change enables the consideration of AI-enabled services for government work. New contract terms may favor firms using AI and small teams.

The Shane Gillis SNL Backlash Is Really Stupid

Shane Gillis, a comedian and former SNL cast member, made a joke about women's clothing during a recent SNL appearance, sparking backlash from some, including actor Dan Levy and TV host Sara Haines.

Editor's noteThe backlash against Shane Gillis's joke is a case of moral panic, where a single comment is blown out of proportion to justify a broader agenda. Watch whether the outrage leads to meaningful change in comedy standards, or just a chilling effect on free speech.

Washington Could Defuse Europe’s “Kill Switch” Fears

The US Commerce department's directive to cut access to AI models for foreign nationals has sparked fears in Europe about Washington's power to shut off access to technology. However, these fears may be unfounded, as the US has other ways to exert influence without cutting off services.

Europe Can Rearm Even as Steel Industry Shrinks

EU defence spending reached €418bn in 2025, despite a 6.3% decline in German steel output and a 0.3% drop in EU production. Steel shortages are not a major bottleneck for rearmament, as military budgets fund a range of materials beyond metal.

Congratulations to the Hoover Institution's Robert E. Hall, on His Economics Nobel Prize

Robert E. Hall, a Stanford economist and Hoover Institution senior fellow, has been awarded the 2026 economics Nobel Prize for his work on microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilization, shared with Michael Woodford.

TV Networks Protested Press Bans by Declining To Cover Trump. That Might Have Been Illegal, the DOJ Says.

Four major US TV networks suspended participation in the White House press pool after President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The DOJ has now investigated this move, suggesting it may have breached antitrust laws.

Editor's noteTV networks' press pool boycott was a gesture, not a rule. The DOJ's antitrust investigation suggests it was a lever to pressure Trump, not a demonstration of solidarity. Watch whether the networks' participation in the pool is restored, and whether the DOJ's inquiry is used to silence them.

For America.gov, the front door is only as good as the back office

The White House's America.gov portal aims to simplify federal information and services, but its success relies on agencies' ability to handle increased workload and address accountability questions arising from AI-generated answers.

Trump Has Been Trampling Free Speech for More Than 40 Years—and It Keeps Getting Worse

Donald Trump sued a Chicago Tribune architecture critic in 1985 for defamation over criticism of a proposed skyscraper, alleging damage to his reputation worth $500 million, equivalent to $1.6 billion today.

China Curbs Diesel, Jet Fuel and Gasoline Exports

China is limiting exports of refined fuels, including diesel substitutes, aviation fuel, and petrol, due to low oil and fuel reserves. This move is causing global energy shortages to worsen. Diesel prices have risen in Singapore.

Anthropic Is Banning 'Cruel Behavior' Toward Claude. Claude Is Still Not a Person.

Anthropic is banning 'cruel behaviour' towards its chatbot Claude, but the company's motivations are unclear, with some suggesting it's about human habit-forming, while others see it as a concern for model welfare.

Editor's noteAnthropic's ban on 'cruel behaviour' towards Claude is a reflection of human habit-forming, not model welfare. Watch whether the company's enforcement mechanisms can distinguish between genuine user frustration and 'cruel' behaviour, and whether this distinction is based on human values or algorithmic definitions.

New York Is Fining Amish Schools Over Vaccines, So the Amish Are Asking the Supreme Court for Help

New York state is fining Amish schools for not complying with vaccination mandates, prompting the Amish to seek Supreme Court intervention. The fines total $118,000 for three rural schoolhouses. Vaccination is rare among the Amish due to hesitation towards medical practices.

Republicans Are Getting Grilled Over Trump's Tariffs

Republicans are facing criticism over Trump's tariffs ahead of the midterm elections, with some candidates struggling to defend the policies in states heavily reliant on trade with Canada, particularly in the northern border states.

A Survey of Crime Experts Deflates the 'Trump Effect' That Supposedly Reduced Homicides

The U.S. homicide rate decreased significantly between 2024 and 2025, reaching a historic low. A study by a criminal justice organisation suggests factors other than presidential policies drove this reduction. Experts attributed the decline to trends observed since 2009.

What happens when the State Department loses its institutional memory?

Ten new ambassadors were confirmed in September 2026, leaving a significant number of embassy positions vacant. The State Department has increased the use of politically appointed ambassadors, with 80% of nominations during Trump’s second term being political. This trend raises concerns about institutional memory and diplomatic expertise.

Editor's noteThe State Department's reliance on politically appointed ambassadors is a symptom of a deeper problem: the erosion of institutional memory. Watch the impact on US foreign policy when these appointees are tasked with navigating complex diplomatic situations without the benefit of career diplomats' expertise.

The revolving door for tech officials at Trump’s DHS

A DHS contract worth $983 million was awarded to a CACI subsidiary. Following the award, the deputy CIO, Chris Granger, joined the vendor firm. Experts highlight this movement as a potential conflict of interest, raising concerns about taxpayer funds.

‘Ted Lasso’ Fans Told That Show Going ‘Bye-Bye’ For A Bit

Producers of *Ted Lasso* announced a temporary hiatus, stating the show would “go bye-bye” for a period. Bill Lawrence explained the team needed a break, reassuring viewers they’d return soon. Fans were advised to rewatch episodes or play the show with a companion.

Trump Keeps Contradicting the 'National Security' Rationale for Banishing Disfavored Journalists

Trump initially justified banning journalists by citing ‘fake news’ and negative coverage. Subsequently, the White House shifted to a national security rationale following legal challenges. Trump later reiterated his original justification in an interview, dismissing the claims about sensitive information.

FBI removes Accenture contractor after missed security patch led to breach

The FBI terminated a contractor’s contract following a breach. The incident stemmed from a missed security update, exposing employee details including addresses and medical records. Accenture managed the platform, while Oracle provided the unapplied patch, raising counterintelligence concerns.

Editor's noteA missed security patch is a symptom, not the problem. The real issue is Accenture's management of the platform, which exposed sensitive data. Watch the FBI's review of Accenture's contract, because the terms of the contract will reveal whether Accenture's liability is limited to the contractor's failure or extends to its overall management of the platform.

After More Than Three Years, Judge Newman's Case Is Transferred To The Eleventh Circuit

In 2023, a complaint against Judge Newman was transferred to the Eleventh Circuit by the Chief Judge. The case, originally filed with the Federal Circuit, had been pending for over three years, including a Supreme Court denial of certiorari. The transfer occurred on August 19, 2026.

Amicus Brief Asking Court to Consider Lawyers' Free Speech Rights, in Eastman v. State Bar

The amicus brief, penned by legal scholars and a professor, supports Eastman's petition for Supreme Court review. It argues that punishing lawyers for political speech raises First Amendment concerns. The brief highlights prior court decisions and potential future implications regarding professional speech.

Russia Attacks – Would NATO Freeze?

NATO's eastern flank includes battle groups and brigades with lead nations, stationed across several Baltic and Eastern European countries, with the capability to act in self-defense without external consent. Enhanced surveillance and intelligence efforts monitor potential threats, with military movements serving as indicators of hostile intent, prompting diplomatic engagement with Russia.

Editor's noteNATO's self-defence doctrine is a hedge, not a rule. The real question is whether Russia's preparations would trigger a response before troops cross the border. Watch the troop movements, not the press releases, to see if NATO's indicators and warnings system is working as intended.

US spy chief tapped as White House AI czar

Jay Clayton, former intelligence director, has been appointed by President Trump to oversee AI policy in the White House, aiming to address concerns related to the safety and security of AI technologies.

Trump’s Triumphal Arch By The Numbers

Trump's administration plans a triumphal arch in D.C. for the nation's 250th anniversary, with satirical commentary on its construction, including engraved typos, additional structures for corporate logos, and warnings for children, with an estimated 189 million viewers for its dismantling.

Trump Drops Bombshell Evidence Biden Actively Campaigned Against Him

President Trump alleges Joe Biden orchestrated a campaign to dissuade voters from supporting him, involving paid operatives and former presidents, and used attack ads to highlight Trump's perceived failures, aiming to sway the election in Biden's favor.

Editor's noteTrump's claims of a coordinated effort to sway voters against him are a thinly veiled attempt to delegitimize the election outcome. The real question is whether Trump's own campaign spent as much on attack ads as he alleges Biden did. Watch the FEC filings for Trump's 2020 campaign to see if they reveal a similar level of expenditure on propaganda.

Why an EU “associate membership” is the wrong Canada story

Despite being dismissed as mere noise, the EU's proposal for 'associate membership' represents a significant economic security alliance, warranting close attention from Australia for potential implications on its own economic interests.

Articles On: U.S.-China Relations, Taiwan, Europe-China Relations, Tech Competition, Japan, Rare Earths, Geopolitics, and Global Strategy

Opinion pieces discuss the impact of Chinese Communist Party activities globally, exploring potential strategies for safeguarding interests in U.S.-China relations, Taiwan, Europe-China relations, tech competition, Japan, rare earths, and geopolitics.

Editor's noteChina's global influence is a fait accompli, but its costs are only now being tallied. Watch the EU's next move on rare earths, because Brussels' willingness to play hardball will be the litmus test for whether the West can match Beijing's reach without sacrificing its values.

Articles On: Espionage, Academic Security, CCP Influence, Propaganda, Foreign Interference, Taiwan, Japan, Brazil, United Front, and Global Chinese Influence

The article examines the Chinese Communist Party's extensive foreign interference efforts, highlighting their strategies and the consequential effects on international relations, particularly concerning Taiwan, Japan, and Brazil, as part of a broader United Front approach.

Tips For Increasing Your Fiber Intake

The Onion suggests increasing fiber intake by reading food labels for fiber content, toasting white bread, adjusting fig consumption, incorporating beans, considering wicker as a dietary option, exploring high-fiber cuisines, dissolving paper straws before soda, and relying on Metamucil for fiber management.

Bill to scrap education requirements in federal contracting jobs heads to Trump’s desk

A bipartisan House-passed bill from Rep. Nancy Mace, now cleared unanimously by the Senate, would stop agencies from setting minimum education requirements in federal contract solicitations unless they justify them in writing as mission-critical; it awaits President Trump's signature.

Six Flags Closes X2 Roller Coaster Due To Brain Injuries

Satirical piece reports Six Flags Magic Mountain has permanently shut its X2 roller coaster over rider brain injuries, then offers darkly comic reactions from fictional staff members about drink prices, riding backwards, and cognitive function.

Which Parts of an Expert's ChatGPT History Related to Preparing Expert Report Must Be Disclosed?

A Nevada federal judge ruled that ChatGPT-generated case summaries an expert witness consulted count as facts or data requiring disclosure under federal Rule 26, while other portions of his chat log are privileged and shielded.

Editor's noteThe expert's reliance on ChatGPT-generated summaries counts as a fact, not a privileged communication. Watch whether the disclosed summaries match the expert's testimony, because discrepancies would undermine the witness's credibility and raise questions about the reliability of the summaries as evidence.

Trump's Iowa Steel Mill Is a Win for Steelmakers. What About Everyone Else?

Trump announced Mesabi Metallics' planned $15 billion Iowa steel mill, which Republicans cite as a tariff win, but the piece argues the 50% steel tariff has lifted U.S. steel prices roughly 30% since 2025, burdening downstream manufacturers.

Dude Wipes Introduces New Flushable Khakis

Satirical report claims Dude Wipes has launched disposable trousers made from sewer-safe fabric that wearers can flush after an accident, with scented options and travel packs, and its chief executive floating tuxedo and surgical variants later.

Trump’s new Education IG nominee continues dizzying run of leadership changes at the watchdog office

President Trump nominated Mark Priebe, the acting inspector general, to permanently lead the Education Department's Office of Inspector General, the watchdog's fourth leadership change since early 2025. Predecessor nominee Heidi Semann had her nomination withdrawn in September after earlier IGs Sandra Bruce and Rene Rocque departed or were replaced.

Editor's noteTrump's Education IG nominee is a symptom of a deeper problem: a disregard for the independence of watchdog agencies. Watch whether Priebe's confirmation is followed by a reduction in the number of IGs fired by the administration, which would indicate a genuine commitment to oversight or just another revolving door.

Google extends GSA OneGov deal for Gemini

Google extended its GSA OneGov agreement providing discounted Gemini access to federal agencies through November 15, pricing Gemini for Government at $0.47 per agency annually. The program has generated roughly $1.7 billion in federal technology savings, with Google also offering a 20% discount on Google Cloud services.

GSA is losing a key digital modernization leader

Mike Lynch, GSA's deputy administrator, is departing for the private sector after 20 months leading the agency's OneGov software-discount program, the USAi AI-access platform, and an automation initiative called the million hours challenge. Administrator Ed Forst credited Lynch with accelerating GSA's technology adoption efforts.

Eleventh Circuit Upholds Restriction on Referring to "Settlement" of Trump v. IRS,

The Eleventh Circuit upheld a restriction on calling the Trump v. IRS outcome a settlement. The district court had found the parties not adverse and imposed non-monetary sanctions on them and two attorneys after a $1.776 billion deal announced by the Justice Department.

Editor's noteThe Eleventh Circuit's ruling on Trump v. IRS is a warning to litigants that courts will scrutinize settlements for improper motives. Watch the Treasury's payment schedule, as any delay or irregularity could revive the court's investigation into the settlement's legitimacy.

Trump launches AI-fueled America.gov in bid to tie government services together

The Trump administration launched America.gov, an AI chatbot meant as a single entry point to federal services, drawing on about 29,000 government websites and running on models from Google (Gemini) and Elon Musk (Grok), alongside an executive order directing GSA to establish it.

Websites ‘in jeopardy’ amid U.S. Web Design System takeover, coalition tells GSA

A coalition of developers and former officials asked GSA to reverse recent changes to the government's web design toolkit, including sidelining its lead, removing contributors, and automating accessibility testing, warning that thousands of public websites could be affected.

FAA asks Congress for $30B to finish air traffic control modernization

FAA requested $30 billion from Congress to complete air traffic control modernization, adding to the $12.5 billion already appropriated. A new Senate bill from Eric Schmitt maps out a common automation platform, cloud infrastructure, and controller safety tools, targeting 2028 completion.

Lawmaker warns intelligence contractors' Trump ballroom donations may be scrutinized

Rep. Jim Himes warned that intelligence contractors including Booz Allen Hamilton, Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft could face congressional scrutiny over donations to Trump's White House ballroom project, citing concerns about fused political favors and federal contracting.

ALJ Recommends Dismissing Administrative Charges Against Florida Teacher for Kirk-Related and Trump-Related Posts

A Florida administrative law judge recommended dismissing misconduct charges against a teacher over Facebook posts referencing Charlie Kirk's killing and an image depicting Trump, finding no evidence students saw the posts or that school operations were disrupted.

Editor's noteFacebook posts by a teacher are not a disruption to school operations unless students see them. Watch whether the school's social media monitoring policies are reviewed in light of this ruling, as they may need to be more explicit about what constitutes a breach of professional conduct.

The Limits of Trump and Xi’s Photo-Op Summit

In a Council on Foreign Relations analysis, David Sacks argued Trump and Xi's Washington summit produced symbolic gestures but few breakthroughs, noting a two-month tariff truce extension, a $30 billion trade pledge, and unresolved tensions over Taiwan and AI safeguards.

‘All the President’s Wars’: Peter Bergen’s Iraq-Afghanistan Postmortem

A review of Peter Bergen's book assesses America's post-9/11 wars, crediting counterterrorism gains while faulting the Iraq invasion, torture, costs and weak postwar planning, and concluding that force alone can contain terrorism but not defeat it.

Police in Texas Totaled an Innocent Woman's Car. Why Did Houston Deny Her Claim for Compensation?

After Houston police gunfire destroyed student Abigail Trujillo's car during a suspect pursuit, the city refused compensation. The mayor later arranged a replacement and a review of other denied claims, amid wider disputes over property damage from police operations.

A Few More Thoughts On The Missouri Ruling

A legal commentator criticizes the Supreme Court's stay in the Missouri redistricting dispute, faulting its vague standing finding, thin merits reasoning, and reliance on late-election equities, while noting an Eighth Circuit judge's complaint about unclear emergency orders.

Editor's noteThe Missouri ruling's vague standing finding and thin merits reasoning reveal a Court that's prioritizing electoral stability over constitutional clarity. Watch whether the Court's reliance on late-election equities in future cases leads to a slippery slope of judicial deference to executive branch decisions.

Kash Patel Phished By Scammer Posing As Kash Patel

FBI Director Kash Patel is phished by a scammer impersonating Kash Patel, using his own name, photo and signature style to talk his way past his guard.

Baseball Analysts Call For New Stat Called B.L.E.P.H.

Baseball analysts demand a new statistic called B.L.E.P.H., seemingly more invested in inventing a cool-sounding acronym than in explaining what it measures or why.

GSA claims it found $1.2B in suspected COVID-related contracting fraud

The General Services Administration says it found 1.2 billion dollars in suspected fraud across COVID-era contracts that kept paying out after the national emergency ended in 2023.

Princess Diana Releases Bombshell Memoir

The late Princess Diana releases a posthumous bombshell memoir, reportedly settling old scores with the Royal Family and declaring she is done staying silent.

Xi Jinping Impressed With How Much Trump’s English Has Improved Since Last Visit

Xi Jinping praises Donald Trump's improved English since their last meeting, gently implying the president's vocabulary has grown to roughly a hundred words.

Dog Can’t Believe Guy She Hooked Up With 10 Years Ago Now Head Of FBI

A dog is stunned to learn the man she casually dated a decade ago is now the head of the FBI, spending her afternoon replaying the whole fling in disbelief.

The Onion’s Exclusive Interview With Robert Pattinson

The Onion runs a fictional exclusive interview with Robert Pattinson, who gives deliberately absurd, nonsensical answers about his films and acting process.

Guy Outside Obama Center Selling Cheaper Tickets To Something Called ‘Barry’s Magical Experience’

A man outside the Obama Presidential Center sells discount tickets to a fictitious attraction called Barry's Magical Experience, apparently unrelated to the real museum.

TRO Issued Ordering Reinstatement of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico White House Access

A federal judge ordered the White House to reinstate press credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico after the administration revoked them without notice or a chance to respond.

Editor's noteA court ordering credentials reinstated within days of revocation is the system working exactly as designed, and that is itself the news: the remedy for retaliation against a newsroom already exists and was used. Watch whether the order survives an appeal before calling this settled.

FLRA ruling puts ball back in courts’ court on Trump’s union EOs

A Federal Labor Relations Authority ruling found federal unions cannot challenge Trump's executive orders administratively, steering disputes toward the federal courts instead.

Editor's notePushing labor disputes from an administrative body into federal courts is slower and more expensive for the side with less money, which is rarely management. Watch whether union litigation budgets, not just union arguments, become the story that decides these cases.

Three Mistakes That Made Donald Trump

A former White House communications official argues three earlier policy mistakes -- trade protectionism, costly interventions, and uneven bank bailouts -- paved the way for Trump.

President Trump's Legal Argument in Support of Excluding CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House

The Trump administration argues it may restrict journalist access to the White House, citing professional-standards violations and limited press room capacity.

Editor's noteRestricting access on professional-standards grounds is a discretionary lever dressed up as a neutral rule, and discretionary levers get used again once a precedent exists. Watch which outlets lose access next and whether the stated reason keeps changing to fit each new exclusion.

"Is Trump Media's Early-Access Feed Lawful?"

Legal scholars debate whether Trump Media's paid early-access feed to presidential posts, priced up to $100,000 monthly, effectively lets subscribers trade on nonpublic presidential information before the public sees it.

Editor's notePaid early access to a head of state's posts is a securities question wearing a media product's clothes. The price is the tell: a hundred thousand a month is not a subscription, it is an information advantage being sold. Watch whether the SEC treats it as one.

Americans Say the United Nations Is Doing a Bad Job. They're Right.

A new Gallup poll finds most Americans rate the United Nations poorly on human rights, law, development and peacekeeping; the author argues corruption and dysfunction justify that skepticism.

Congress — not the president — should appoint the next GAO head, bipartisan coalition argues

A bipartisan coalition of government-watchdog and advocacy groups urged Congress to strip the president from choosing the next Government Accountability Office comptroller general, citing the vacancy left by Gene Dodaro's retirement.

Trump wants an ‘AI Force.’ What would that actually look like?

Trump announced plans for an AI Force modeled on Space Force, though officials and experts say the proposal lacks detail on mission, legal authority, budget, and where it would sit in government.

Climate change and energy transition rise up national security agenda

At Climate Week NYC, global leaders including UK's Ed Miliband, Australia's Anthony Albanese and UN climate chief Simon Stiell framed clean energy transition and climate resilience as national security priorities, not just environmental policy.

Editor's noteFraming the energy transition as security rather than environment is a funding argument, not a rhetorical one. Defence budgets move on different timescales and survive changes of government. Watch which ministries end up holding the money, because that will tell you whether the reframing was strategy or a conference line.

Lawmakers call on leadership to override Trump’s planned pay freeze

A bipartisan coalition of 110 lawmakers led by Rep. James Walkinshaw and Sen. Chris Van Hollen urged Congress to reject Trump's proposed 2027 federal civilian pay freeze, citing recruitment risks and inflation.

MSNBC Pundit's Tweet Accusing Lawyer of "Coach[ing]" Jan. 6 Hearing Witness "to Lie" Wasn't Negligent

A federal judge ruled MSNBC commentator Andrew Weissmann's tweet accusing lawyer Stefan Passantino of coaching January 6 witness Cassidy Hutchinson to lie was not defamatory, finding the claim adequately supported by sworn testimony.

More from Jacob Mchangama on Frederick Douglass's Views on Free Speech

Historian Jacob Mchangama's essay series traces how Frederick Douglass championed counterspeech and press freedom, defending even a pro-slavery senator's right to speak when abolitionist crowds tried shouting him down.

Editor's noteDouglass's defence of a rival's right to speak, even while opposing him, is a sharper historical rebuttal to today's no-platforming arguments than most modern commentary offers. The essay is useful less as history than as a ready-made counterexample for anyone debating where counterspeech ends and suppression begins.

Solomon Islands: how 100 days of Wale reshaped its foreign policy

In his first 100 days, Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale pivoted toward Australia, the US and Japan, launched a review of the 2022 China security pact, and signed a US shiprider deal.

Today in Supreme Court History: September 20, 1968

On this date in 1968, New York City denied a preservation certificate to Penn Central, a dispute that later produced the Supreme Court's landmark takings-clause ruling.

Canada Is Moving Closer to Europe. Trump's Tariffs Help Explain Why.

The EU offered Canada unprecedented associate-member status covering energy, trade and security, as tariffs and a collapsed negotiation pushed Mark Carney toward closer European integration.

Anthropic extends its GSA OneGov deal for Claude by one month

Anthropic's discounted one-dollar-per-user Claude for Government deal under the GSA OneGov programme was extended a month to 31 October, following OpenAI's new federal pricing agreement.

Editor's noteA one-month extension sounds procedural until you notice what it is holding open: a dollar-per-user price for federal agencies, set against a competitor's new federal agreement. Procurement at that price shapes which system government staff learn first, and that advantage outlasts any contract term.

A Russia Sanctions Bill Would Give Trump Vast New Tariff Powers

Congress passed a Russia and Iran sanctions bill letting the president impose tariffs up to 100 percent on top buyers of Russian oil and gas, with broad discretion over enforcement.

Use of Flock Cameras Is Not a Fourth Amendment "Search," District Court Rules

A California federal district court ruled that police queries of Flock Safety's licence-plate-reader network do not constitute a Fourth Amendment search, distinguishing the data from broader location-tracking precedents.

Montreal Economic Institute Webinar on Legal Challenges to the Trump Tariffs Against Canadian Goods

The Montreal Economic Institute will host a 23 September webinar examining legal challenges to Section 301 and 338 tariffs on Canadian goods, featuring scholars from George Mason.

Pentagon Auditors Say the Iran War Has Cost $33 Billion. The Real Price Tag Is Far Higher.

A Pentagon Inspector General audit put direct costs of the Iran war at 33.4 billion dollars, while Reason argues fuel-price inflation and unrepaired infrastructure make the true toll far larger.

Editor's noteAn inspector general's number is the floor, not the total, and this piece is useful precisely because it says so. Thirty-three billion covers direct costs only; fuel-price effects and unrepaired infrastructure sit outside the audit's scope, which is where the argument about the real price now runs.

More ‘Big Balls’-type young feds are what the OPM chief wants

OPM Director Scott Kupor says he wants more young, non-degreed federal hires like DOGE alum Edward Coristine, expecting short two-to-three-year tenures before recruits move to the private sector.

New in SCOTUSBlog: "Break The Supreme Court Law Clerk Cartel"

Law professor Josh Blackman proposes Supreme Court clerk reforms in SCOTUSBlog: mandatory post-clerkship public service, justices rotating through regional courthouses, and barring clerks from discussing cases across chambers.

Chief Justice Roberts Goes Postal on Trump's USPS Rule

The Supreme Court denied the Trump administration's emergency stay request in USPS v. California, letting a lower court injunction against a USPS rule stand, with minimal explanation from Roberts.

Editor's noteEmergency docket rulings arrive without reasoning, which is exactly why this one matters. The court declined to lift an injunction against the administration and said almost nothing about why, leaving lower courts and the Postal Service to read a result that carries no stated rule with it.

DHS secretary defends smaller FEMA workforce after judge challenges 50% staffing cut plans

DHS Secretary Mullin defended FEMA's reduced staffing as efficient, after a federal judge ruled the department unlawfully ordered a 50% workforce cut that had already shed 4,300 jobs.

Editor's noteA court has already called the cut unlawful and four thousand three hundred people have already gone. The secretary's defence of it is therefore the news: the department is arguing efficiency for a reduction a federal judge said it had no lawful authority to order at all.

Germany: Russia’s Enemy No. 1

Russia has escalated hybrid-warfare attacks against Germany, including a drone incident at Leipzig airport and an explosive attack near a Rohde and Schwarz facility, as Berlin backs Ukraine.

Armenia Battles to Buy Time

Armenia is weighing EU membership while resisting Russian pressure to remain in the Eurasian Economic Union, as Pashinyan pursues trade diversification amid falling Russian trade.

China-Based Artificial Intelligence Companies Conducting Industrial-Scale Distillation Campaigns Against U.S. AI Companies

NSA, CISA and FBI warn that Chinese AI firms including DeepSeek and Moonshot AI have systematically extracted capabilities from Claude, GPT, Gemini and Grok since 2024 using proxy accounts and prompt injection.

Iran’s Covert Weapons Supply Chain Runs Through Canada and China — Fueled by Trade-Based Money Laundering

A covert network moves sensitive American technology to Iran through Chinese front companies and Canadian intermediaries, using trade-based money laundering to fund weapons procurement for the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Taiwan’s Six-Year Hunt for China’s Undercover Chip Labs

Taiwan's Investigation Bureau examined 166 cases over six years involving companies concealing Chinese ownership in the chip sector, producing dozens of convictions including Xiaomi executives and a warrant for OnePlus's founder.

Editor's noteExport control is usually reported as policy. This reports it as enforcement: one hundred and sixty-six cases, six years, convictions of named executives and an outstanding warrant. That is what the rules look like when a state actually runs them, and the record is unusually specific.

First Circuit Refuses to Stay District Court Injunction Against Trump's Executive Order on Mail-In Voting

The First Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously refused to stay a district court injunction blocking Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting, ruling the Postal Service rule oversteps constitutional election authority.

The Pentagon’s push for a clean audit is reshaping how it manages money and systems

The Pentagon’s drive to achieve a clean audit is forcing broad changes to financial management, including system consolidation, standardized data practices, and enterprise-wide process reforms aimed at improving accountability and audit readiness.

Editor's noteWe chose this as the lead story because it highlights a challenge that sits at the heart of effective governance: accountability. The Pentagon’s audit journey is not just about financial compliance but about modernizing systems, improving data quality, and strengthening institutional oversight. It offers a compelling example of how organizational reform often begins with transparency.

Dangerous Partners: The Russia-China Military Embrace

A CEPA analysis warns Russia and China are deepening military space cooperation through missile-warning data sharing and joint exercises, edging toward coordinated threats to US space systems.

Editor's noteTwo militaries sharing missile-warning data is a specific, verifiable act, not an alignment of rhetoric. That is why this leads: the analysis argues the cooperation is deepening in orbit without any treaty to point at, which makes it harder to deter and easier to underestimate.

OpenAI, GSA strike OneGov deal for ChatGPT through 2028

OpenAI and the US General Services Administration extended ChatGPT access to federal agencies through 2028, offering consumption-based pricing at a 50 percent discount with no platform fee.

Will It Matter That ABA Council Repealed The DEI Standard?

The American Bar Association's council voted 10-6 to repeal its DEI accreditation standard for law schools, though commentators expect little practical change since institutions may continue similar practices voluntarily.

Editor's noteA ten to six vote to repeal an accreditation standard sounds decisive and may change very little. That gap is the story: schools can carry on voluntarily, so the practical question is not what the council decided but who was relying on the standard being mandatory.

Donald Trump Hasn't Violated Twenty-Second Amendment

A federal magistrate rejected a lawsuit claiming Trump violated the Twenty-Second Amendment, ruling his 2020 election claims do not retroactively change that Biden won that year's vote.

Trump's Executive Order on Mail-in Ballots is an Assault on Federalism and Separation of Powers

Legal analysis argues Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting via USPS oversteps federal authority, as a district judge blocked it and the administration appealed again to the Supreme Court.

A Threshold Crossed in Saxony-Anhalt

Alternative for Germany won Saxony-Anhalt's state election outright, the first postwar far-right victory in a German state, straining Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition and raising doubts about Germany's continued support for NATO and Ukraine.

Alienation of Affections as Complicity

Responding to commenters on a suit against a former senator, the writer rejects the claim that a spouse's lover owes nothing, while still favouring abolition of the tort on other grounds.

Can an All-Female Nude Spa Bar Transgender Clients With Male Genitalia? The Supreme Court May Decide.

A federal appeals court is weighing whether a women-only spa may refuse clients who are transgender, in a case whose opening judicial line has already drawn attention for its bluntness.

Editor's noteThe petition asks the Supreme Court to decide whether state anti-discrimination law can override a private business's sex-segregated, nudity-based access policy under expressive-association and religious-exercise claims. A grant would test how far Tandon-era religious-liberty precedent extends into commercial anti-discrimination enforcement, beyond the narrower church and worship contexts courts have addressed so far.

Photo: AI Unfurls an Ancient Scroll

Italian researchers used machine learning to read a papyrus carbonised by Vesuvius without unrolling it, recovering Greek text on Stoic philosophy from a scroll far too fragile to open.

Do You Have the Right To Possess an AR-15? The Supreme Court Will Soon Decide.

The Supreme Court will decide next term whether bans on so-called assault weapons survive the Second Amendment, a ruling that would reach the dozen states with such laws and further.

Editor's noteThe court has stepped around this question for years, which is the reason to read the case now rather than after the ruling. A dozen state legislatures will be redrafting in the same week it lands, and the reasoning will matter more than the outcome for every other limit on what residents may own.

US troops can still be tracked by purchased location data, and Congress wants to know why

Two lawmakers have asked the Defense Department's watchdog to explain why measures meant to stop adversaries buying troops' location data from brokers are not working as promised.

The SCO’s Diminishing Usefulness for India

The regional bloc's summit in Kyrgyzstan showcased Xi Jinping's pull and India's shrinking room inside it, leaving Delhi to choose between two blocs or the work of building its own.

Chinese Shipper COSCO Collects Intel for Beijing with Concealed Equipment, U.S. Officials Say

United States officials say a Chinese state-owned shipping line carries concealed equipment that listens to military communications near the countries its vessels visit.

The Lindsay Clancy Trial Was Never Going To Answer the Question Everyone Was Asking

Reason's Billy Binion argues the deadlocked Lindsay Clancy jury faced an unanswerable question, whether postpartum psychosis negated criminal responsibility, reflecting the case's genuine complexity rather than a failure of the Massachusetts justice system.

Eleventh Circuit Holds Qui Tam Relators Are Not "Officers of the United States." What Happens Next?

The Eleventh Circuit unanimously held False Claims Act qui tam relators are not "officers of the United States," rejecting an Appointments Clause challenge and remanding separation-of-powers questions in USA ex rel. Zafirov.

"Incredulity" That "Competent Law Firm Representing One of the Largest Financial Institution[s] in the World" Filed Brief with AI Hallucinations

The D.C. Court of Appeals struck Deutsche Bank's appellate brief and referred its attorney to disciplinary counsel after finding four cited cases were fabricated by an AI research tool and never verified before filing.

Editor's noteA filing this error-ridden did not come from a solo practitioner cutting corners. It came from counsel to one of the world's largest banks, which is the part worth sitting with before any argument about AI tools in legal work.

Trump Is Back To Seeking Regime Change in Iran

A Reason column says Trump has resumed pushing for regime change in Iran after the inconclusive war launched in February 2026, arguing the campaign has killed civilians without weakening the government.

Fighting AI with AI: The US’s New Cyber Rules of Engagement

A CEPA analysis says a new White House memorandum lets vetted US firms conduct cyber-surveillance on foreign criminal networks with government approval, arguing AI's speed and scale demand pre-authorized public-private intervention powers.

"[A]n Unopposed Grant" of Sealing "Carries Little Weight in a Contested Posture"

Magistrate Judge Rachel Schwartz refused to seal LLC ownership disclosures in Townsend v. Gardens at Aldersgate, ruling generic privacy concerns do not justify secrecy and that a prior unopposed sealing order carried little weight.

Editor's noteSealing decisions shape what the public can ever learn about a case, and they are usually unopposed and unexamined. This ruling says an unopposed grant carries little weight once someone contests it, which is a small doctrinal point with wide practical reach.

Lion King Composer vs. Comedian Dispute Leads to ~$40K Attorney Fee Award Against Composer

A federal judge in California ordered Lion King composer Lebohang Morake to pay comedian Learnmore Mwanyenyeka roughly $39,560 in attorney fees after Morake dropped defamation claims following an anti-SLAPP motion.

Virginia Mom Gets 6-Month Suspended Jail Sentence for Letting 5-Year-Old Walk to the Pond

A Williamsburg, Virginia judge convicted law student Karyann Parkinson of child neglect for letting her 5-year-old walk half a mile alone, issuing a suspended six-month sentence and seven-year registry listing.

Editor's noteA suspended sentence sounds lenient until you read the second half. Seven years on a registry for letting a child walk half a mile is the actual penalty, and it is imposed by a standard no statute states, which is what makes this a policy story.

Statement: UNEP Report Warns World is Soon to Exceed 1.5°C ‒ but Return is Possible

UN Environment Programme's new report projects global warming will exceed 1.5C within years; World Resources Institute's David Waskow says emissions cuts, carbon removal and adaptation investment could still reverse the overshoot.

Defense Dept opens use of three major AI tools for employees

The Defense Department rolled out government versions of ChatGPT, Grok and Gemini for staff, permitting unclassified administrative and policy document review plus operational tasks like market research and supply-chain planning.

The Real Risk of a Trade War With Canada

Economist Chad Bown argues Washington should ease tariff pressure on Canada, warning that a US-Canada trade rift diverts Ottawa's resources and weakens North American unity needed to counter Chinese economic dominance.

'Let data reign'; Trump warns that those who don't let AI data centers proliferate will end up 'backwards and poor'

President Trump urged communities to support AI data center expansion, arguing it drives jobs and economic growth, while critics cite energy use, water consumption, noise, environmental concerns, and pressure on local infrastructure.

A Liberal Think Tank and an Air Force Major Are Trump's Latest Targets for Speech Policing

President Trump has targeted critics' speech through a threatened defamation lawsuit against the Center for American Progress and military charges against Air Force Maj. Jason Watson for anti-Trump statements.

Trump blasts data center critics: Backwards and poor

President Trump called communities opposing data centers backwards and poor, defending the AI infrastructure boom as the EPA proposed dropping public-notice requirements for industrial air-pollution permits near such projects.

Editor's noteThe quote will travel and the second half matters more. A proposal to drop public-notice requirements for air-pollution permits near these sites removes the mechanism those communities would use to object, which turns a rhetorical dismissal into a procedural one.

Negotiating AI Limits and Biological Weapons

International agreements restricting AI-enabled biological weapons are currently unrealistic, citing geopolitical rivalry, lack of shared threat perception among major powers, and the difficulty of securing meaningful multilateral cooperation.

Editor's noteThis ran precisely because it argues that the treaty everyone calls for cannot be negotiated yet. The reasons are the useful part: no shared threat picture, no trust between the powers that matter, no verification path. Treat it as a map of what has to change before the diplomacy can start.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul thinks AI should be ‘less evil’

New York Governor Kathy Hochul discussed conditions for lifting her data-center moratorium, surveillance concerns over Flock cameras, and enforcement gaps in the state's 3D-printed gun ban that a gunmaker says remain unenforceable.

Thousands of Ancient Human Brains Refuse to Rot—and Scientists Finally Know Their Strange Secret

Researchers have identified why thousands of ancient human brains survived for millennia while other soft tissues decayed: low-oxygen environments altered protein chemistry, creating stable structures that resisted decomposition.

All Rise! Coyote Court Is Now in Session

A personal-injury lawyer weighs, straight-faced, whether Wile E. Coyote could sue Acme over defective goods. Mock tort law on the most litigated product liability in cartoons.

New US export controls reportedly target Chinese access to remote AI servers — Trump admin's cut-down AI diffusion rule could be shared with industry as soon as September

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing new export controls aimed at preventing Chinese firms from accessing advanced U.S. AI computing power through overseas cloud and data-center infrastructure, closing a key loophole in existing chip-export restrictions.

How Might a ‘Super El Niño’ Affect Food, Forests and Water?

WRI examines the potential impacts of a developing 2026 Super El Niño, warning that stronger-than-normal ocean warming could intensify droughts, floods, heatwaves, food insecurity, ecosystem stress, fisheries disruption, and wildfire risks worldwide.

Aspen Institute pilots real-time EBT fraud blocking with states

The Aspen Institute and JPMorgan Chase partner to pilot real-time fraud detection and transaction blocking for EBT cards, aiming to stop SNAP benefit theft before it occurs, much like credit card fraud prevention systems.

Why did 1,000 Swiss citizens bury their underpants?

A citizen-science project asked more than 1,000 volunteers to bury cotton underwear to measure soil health. Researchers found decomposition rates varied widely, showing that land use and management strongly influence underground biological activity.

Editor's noteA thousand citizens burying cotton underpants for two months is a biological-activity meter that is cheap, repeatable and slightly ridiculous, which is why it led Public Policy rather than Funny. The finding is the policy: land use changed decomposition more than anything else measured. How ground is managed decides what lives in it, and that is a regulation question.

A Wall Of Separation Between LGB and T

Log Cabin Republicans’ decision to stop advocating on transgender issues, arguing that sexual-orientation and gender-identity debates have diverged politically. It examines internal disagreements, electoral considerations, and the organization's future advocacy priorities.

The Future of Ukraine’s Drone Democracy

Ukraine's shift to domestic drone production, now 95% assembled internally, has broadened civilian and military influence over strategy, straining President Zelensky's authority after his contested dismissal of digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

America Doesn’t Need More Nuclear Weapons

America’s nuclear stockpile would increase costs, escalation risks, and arms-race pressures without improving deterrence. Instead, Washington should modernize existing strategic capabilities and strengthen conventional forces to counter China and Russia effectively.

Editor's noteA Foreign Affairs argument against expanding the arsenal, chosen because it separates deterrence from stockpile size, a distinction the budget debate keeps blurring. The claim that conventional forces buy more security per dollar deserves testing rather than agreement. Watch where the modernisation money goes in the next authorisation.

NATO’s Missing Link: Shielding Vulnerable Infrastructure

NATO’s infrastructure investments need alliance-wide resilience assessment, not just national review. Critical assets such as energy grids, railways, data centers, and logistics networks should be evaluated for redundancy, survivability, and strategic military value.

Editor's noteGrids, railways and data centres are now military assets whether or not their owners think so. We ran this because it argues for assessing them alliance-wide instead of nation by nation, which is the difference between a plan and a wish. The private operators who own most of that infrastructure should read it as a preview of obligations.

Singapore to Require Stronger Social Media Age Checks for Young Users

Singapore plans to require stronger age-assurance measures on social media platforms, moving beyond self-declared ages. The government is considering age-based access rules and may impose stricter restrictions on platforms that fail to protect younger users.

Alternative Visions of the Internet

Today’s internet was shaped by policy choices, not technological inevitability. Reflecting on Rebecca Coyne’s spam-regulation analysis, contributors contend that stronger democratic governance and public participation can still redirect AI and internet development.

Watch out with Dancing; It Might Lead to Sex

A federal judge ruled expert testimony on dance instruction's heightened sexual-misconduct risk is admissible in a Minnesota college's vicarious-liability case, addressing foreseeability standards after a student's assault allegations against a former instructor.

Editor's noteEvidentiary rulings rarely lead a section and this one should. Admitting expert testimony that a specific activity carries heightened risk changes what an institution can claim it could not have foreseen, and foreseeability is the whole of a vicarious liability claim.

Can Competition Fix American Healthcare?

Hoover Institution fellow Scott Atlas argues expanding market competition and consumer choice in U.S. healthcare could lower costs while preserving quality and innovation, contending current regulations insulate providers from price pressure.

What Is El Niño? Here’s What It Means for Weather, Water, and Global Economy

A WIRED explainer examines an exceptionally strong El Niño event, outlining how unusual Pacific Ocean warming can alter rainfall, temperatures, storms, agriculture, water supplies, and economic activity across multiple regions worldwide.

Russia’s Nuclear Weapons: Sanctified by God?

The Russian Orthodox Church’s support for Russia’s nuclear arsenal, arguing that religious endorsement of weapons of mass destruction is unusual among major faith traditions and reinforces state nuclear messaging.

Editor's noteA church blessing nuclear weapons is unusual even by the standards of churches and weapons, and Alexander Motyl writes it plainly where most analysis is either too careful or too loud. It led Public Policy because the religious layer is part of Russia’s signalling, not colour. If you model Russia risk, the arsenal’s sanctification belongs in the model.

Buzzkill: How to defend Europe against drones

An ECFR report warns Europe faces escalating civilian and military drone threats, arguing that fragmented national responses leave vulnerabilities and calling for coordinated detection, data-sharing, and counter-drone defenses across EU and NATO members.

Editor's noteDrone incursions have been reported one airport at a time, which is exactly the problem this report names. Fragmented national responses leave the gaps, and detection and data-sharing only work if they cross borders, so the fix is institutional rather than technical, and slower for it.

Why land-use emissions have fallen by a third this century – in six charts

Global land-use emissions have fallen roughly one-third since the early 2000s due to lower deforestation rates, reduced peatland emissions, and stronger forest regrowth, though fossil-fuel emissions continue rising and remain the dominant climate challenge.

Nova Scotia’s Experiment in Research That Solves Real Problems

Nova Scotia is funding mission-oriented research around community-defined challenges, using multidisciplinary teams and long-term partnerships to generate practical solutions in areas such as health, aging, environmental management, and social wellbeing.

DISA starting small in proving out Mission Partner Environment capabilities

DISA's Mission Partner Environment portfolio executive plans to test and expand capabilities at INDOPACOM through initial pilot deployments before broader implementation.

What Trump’s Executive Order Means for Childhood Vaccinations

Trump's executive order modifies childhood vaccination recommendations by reducing the total number of vaccines and splitting the combined measles, mumps, and rubella shot into separate administrations.

White House signing deals with private hackers to combat cybercrime

The Trump administration issued a presidential memorandum authorizing private companies to conduct cyber surveillance and offensive operations against transnational criminal organizations under federal oversight and coordination.

The U.S.-Led Middle East Order Is Over. The Mecca Agreement Proves It.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey formed a defense pact, demonstrating declining U.S. influence in the Middle East and regional powers establishing independent security arrangements.

Are rising bond yields and elevated leverage a recipe for market turmoil?

Rising bond yields combined with elevated leverage levels may create financial instability, raising concerns about potential market disruption and economic consequences from higher borrowing costs.

Romania’s Gas Surplus? Bury it in Ukraine

Romania's increasing offshore gas production could be stored strategically in Ukraine rather than competing with US LNG in regional markets, strengthening European energy security and geopolitical leverage.

Tracking My Son to His Grave: Nina’s Story

Documentary follows Ukrainian mother Nina searching for her son, captured during 2014 Donetsk airport battle. She uses video evidence to confirm his execution, highlighting cellphone footage's role in war crimes investigations.

Flock is tightening its rules in response to a growing surveillance backlash

Flock, a police license plate reader company, is requiring criminal case numbers for location searches and expanding auditing systems in response to surveillance backlash. At least 30 cities dropped contracts amid privacy concerns.

A path toward sustainable security in Colombia

Atlantic Council releases issue brief examining approaches to achieving sustainable security and peace in Colombia through policy analysis and recommendations.

Editor's notePolicy briefs on Colombia are usually written for Bogota. This one is worth the lead slot because sustainable security is the test case for whether a negotiated peace can hold without permanent external funding, and the answer travels well beyond the country it is about.

What’s behind this summer’s heat, and why 2027 could be worse

Europe experienced record-breaking heat in June and July. Climate change accelerated warming patterns. El Niño could intensify temperatures further in 2027 as its effects typically lag by several months.

ICE agents could soon use gloves that give painful electric shocks

The Department of Homeland Security plans to distribute electric shock gloves called G.L.O.V.E. to ICE agents by March 2025, with spending up to $20 million. Over 700 local law enforcement agencies already use the device.

China's Alternative World Order

VIDEO: Xi Jinping is advancing an alternative global order centered on Chinese institutions, technology, and norms. Despite visible setbacks, China’s vision continues to attract support in parts of the developing world.

Editor's noteA Hoover video rather than a paper, chosen because it lays out the institutions China is actually building instead of arguing about intent. The setbacks are real and so is the appeal across the Global South. If you sell into either camp, the map of which norms are being exported matters more than the rhetoric.

‘ICJobs:’ Intel community gets new classified jobs portal

Intelligence community launches classified jobs portal to recruit talent for positions requiring security clearances, addressing staffing needs in AI and national security operations.

The missing component of government AI deployment: Trust

Government agencies should integrate verification mechanisms into AI system architecture to effectively deploy advanced AI tools for critical missions and operations.

DoD eyes accounting reforms to lower barriers for commercial firms

The Pentagon is seeking industry recommendations for contract accounting modifications designed to decrease compliance expenses and reduce obstacles for commercial firms working with the Department of Defense.

Clinical trials need participants, are the rules about compensation helping or hurting?

Healthcare regulators debate whether allowing higher compensation for clinical trial participants could increase enrollment while maintaining ethical standards in taxpayer-funded research.

Leaders’ Medical Secrecy Harms Public Trust

Lack of transparency regarding leaders' medical conditions undermines public confidence by suggesting hidden forces control governance without accountability or public oversight.

How I Got My Career in Foreign Policy: Sadanand Dhume

Sadanand Dhume, a former foreign correspondent and author, joined the Council on Foreign Relations as senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia, discussing his coverage of economic, extremist, and international relations issues.

Apple Hires Airline Exec as Vice President of Government Affairs

Apple hired Nick Gatten, a former American Airlines executive, as vice president of government affairs. He will assume duties from retiring Katherine Adams and report to general counsel Jennifer Newstead.

Editor's noteApple’s new head of government affairs comes from an airline rather than a law firm or a lobby, and that led Public Policy because of what it says about the years ahead: operational, global and constant. Airlines are regulated in every jurisdiction they land in, a relevant CV for a company now regulated everywhere at once.

AI Confusion: Washington Struggles to Respond to China

US policymakers debate whether to restrict Chinese AI models through export controls and sanctions or allow competition. Startups increasingly adopt cheaper Chinese alternatives like DeepSeek and Qwen over expensive proprietary models.

“We Have To Smash the State”: The Left Prepares for War

Marxist and progressive movements remain active despite recent conservative political gains, warning that efforts associated with Black Lives Matter, DEI, and democratic socialism continue to challenge existing American institutions.

Global Imbalances Tracker

The CFR Global Imbalances Tracker measures country and global economic vulnerability to current account imbalances, including trade deficits and surpluses, tracking these metrics across time periods.

Analysis: Weaker EV targets could cost UK consumers £3bn a year by 2030

UK government considers weakening electric vehicle sales targets for 2030 from 80% to 50%, which analysis suggests could cost consumers £3 billion annually and increase oil imports by 8%.

Europe’s rare earth strategy is betting on allies

Europe is developing a rare earth strategy focused on partnerships with allied nations to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains and secure critical minerals for manufacturing.

Braw in Al Jazeera on Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian port infrastructure

Atlantic Council expert Braw provided commentary to Al Jazeera regarding Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian port infrastructure, analyzing military strategy and operational impacts.

China’s Fengwu AI Forecasted Typhoon Landfall Five Days Ahead

China is increasingly deploying AI weather forecasting systems such as Fengwu, Pangu, and Fuxi. Fengwu reportedly predicted a typhoon’s landfall five days ahead with high precision, highlighting AI’s growing role in extreme-weather forecasting.

America’s Fatal Attraction to War

The article examines why U.S. presidents face incentives to employ military force, analyzing the structural and political factors that encourage military intervention as a policy tool.

Apple Can't Delay App Store Fee Fight While Waiting on Supreme Court

Apple's request to pause App Store fee proceedings was denied. The company must propose fees for alternative payment options within 24 hours, with Epic Games providing legal analysis before court determines reasonable rates.

How the “censorship-industrial complex” is changing the Internet and US policy

A State Department office monitoring foreign disinformation was shut down after being accused of participating in a censorship-industrial complex allegedly suppressing conservative speech online under the guise of combating misinformation.

Editor's noteWe ran this from MIT Technology Review because it describes an institution being dismantled, not an argument being won. Whatever the office did or did not do, its absence changes who watches foreign influence operations in an election year. For policy readers the question is what replaces it, and whether anyone is funded to.

How Spain’s Migration Surge Tested EU Border Policy

Spain experienced unprecedented migrant arrivals in North African territory, serving as the first test of the EU's new migration pact and reigniting immigration debates across the bloc.

Editor's noteThe first live test of the EU’s migration pact happened on Spanish territory in North Africa, not in Brussels, and that is why it led Public Policy. A framework agreed in principle now has to survive a real surge and a real election cycle. Watch which member states invoke the pact’s solidarity clauses first.

Why We Should Fight

Article discusses areas where Trump made mistakes, without providing specific policy details or substantive arguments in the provided excerpt.