The Signal (Page 7)

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

Jan. 14, 2025 | Michael Bluhm & Vali Nasr

Waking up alone

Where does the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad leave Iran? Vali Nasr on the swift and unexpected transformation of power in the Middle East.

12 minute read

Jan. 07, 2025 | Dennis Culhane & Gustav Jönsson

Mother of exiles

A year after record increases in American homelessness, it’s now gone up even more—why? Dennis Culhane on the immigration crisis playing out in U.S. cities.

7 minute read

Dec. 17, 2024 | Michael Bluhm & Martin Wolf

Tale of two economies

Why is Europe falling so far behind the U.S.? Martin Wolf on diverging histories of investment, innovation, and confidence.

11 minute read

Dec. 12, 2024 | Victoria Barnes & Gustav Jönsson

Dear customer

Have banks really started closing people’s accounts because of their political views? Victoria Barnes on the dynamics of debanking.

8 minute read

Dec. 10, 2024 | Michael Bluhm & Peter Ganong

Too damn high

Why does everything in the U.S. seem so expensive? Peter Ganong on the pandemic, a broken construction sector, and a steep decline in American social mobility.