The Signal
Your loyal guide to a changing world.

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07
Nov
Information ministry

Information ministry

The weekend despatch: Why is U.S. federal data disappearing while citizen surveillance expands? How is Russia luring workers from Africa and Asia into combat? + What were the V-Discs?
17 min read
06
Nov
Flashpoints and gathering storms

Flashpoints and gathering storms

Briefing: Trapped fighters in Rafah tunnels show the gap between Gaza’s framework ceasefire agreement and ground realities. Typhoon Kalmaegi’s deadly path through the Philippines toward Vietnam. + Why did India just remove almost 7 million voters from the rolls in one state?
6 min read
05
Nov
An ambiguous referendum

An ambiguous referendum

Briefing: A democratic socialist is the mayor of America’s largest city. The U.S. Supreme Court weighs the president’s trade authority. + How did Hindu nationalism take over the world’s biggest democracy?
6 min read
04
Nov
Peacekeepers before peace

Peacekeepers before peace

Briefing: The U.S. wants an international force for Gaza. Three military options for Venezuela. + The global corruption behind the war and famine in Sudan.
6 min read
03
Nov
‘Many things’ in the Caribbean

‘Many things’ in the Caribbean

Briefing: The American president suggests Venezuelan regime change. An earthquake in Afghanistan. + Why are so many foreign powers involving themselves in Africa’s deadliest civil war?
6 min read
02
Nov
‘It’s a scramble’

‘It’s a scramble’

Feature: Why are so many foreign powers involving themselves in Africa’s deadliest civil war? Alex de Waal on the plunder of Sudan.
12 min read
31
Oct
Phase one

Phase one

The weekend despatch: Is there a pattern in Trump’s framework deals? What do AI models see forming in the South China Sea? + Is disco … undead?
14 min read
30
Oct
The end of a princedom

The end of a princedom

Briefing: King Charles removes his brother’s royal titles. Americans blame Trump for the U.S.-government shutdown. + What’s driving the collapse of southern Africa’s postcolonial ruling parties?
6 min read
29
Oct
The atomic playbook

The atomic playbook

Briefing: The White House’s design reviewers are fired. The American president fixes on ending Korea’s 75-year war. + Why is Moscow testing a new nuclear weapon?
8 min read
28
Oct
Burying the evidence

Burying the evidence

Briefing: A Hamas deception jeopardizes the Gaza ceasefire. AI sees out 14,000 corporate jobs at Amazon. + Why is China building so much, so fast?
6 min read