The Signal (Page 2)

Feb. 16, 2025 | Gustav Jönsson & Francis Fukuyama

Men in gray

What’s the Trump administration doing to the U.S. federal bureaucracy? Francis Fukuyama on the real drivers of waste in the American civil service and the democratic peril in attacking it politically.

11 minute read

Feb. 13, 2025 | The Signal

Retreat from Europe

Member’s despatch | Week VII, MMXXV

17 minute read

Feb. 11, 2025 | Michael Bluhm & Darrell Driver

It’s a sabotage

What’s behind the wave of clandestine Russian attacks in Europe? Darrell Driver on the psychological campaign to change European hearts and minds about Ukraine.

9 minute read

Feb. 09, 2025 | Daniel Bessner & Gustav Jönsson

Imperial presidency

Is there really an autocratic threat coming from inside American democracy? Daniel Bessner on the growth of U.S. presidential power and the resiliency of the remaining checks on it.

9 minute read

Feb. 04, 2025 | Michael Bluhm & Stephan Haggard

Crisis in Seoul

How resilient is democracy in South Korea? Stephan Haggard on increasing social polarization, economic inequality, and political violence.

10 minute read

Feb. 02, 2025 | Gustav Jönsson & Hugh Wilford

The fourth branch

What exactly do U.S. President Donald Trump and his inner circle have in mind when they say they’re taking on the “deep state”? Hugh Wilford on the specter of an unelected government behind the American government.

11 minute read

Jan. 30, 2025 | Michael Bluhm & Steven Levitsky

Hard to pin down

Why did people around the world vote out incumbents last year? Steven Levitsky on the emerging complexity of the populist right.

10 minute read

Jan. 21, 2025 | Emile Dirks & Gustav Jönsson

Black box

Does the Chinese Communist Party really control TikTok? Emile Dirks on how it’s just like any other social-media platform—and isn’t.

7 minute read