Reportage
Bayesian Mysteries
British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, his daughter and five others drowned in a purportedly unsinkable luxury yacht. In England on the same day, his lifelong friend and business partner was hit and killed by a car on a country road. A conspiracy theorist couldn’t make up the background story.
Hip-Hop in the Crossfire
In the wake of the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, hip-hop artists on either side of the conflict have fronted fundraiser concerts, soundtracked protests and penned explicitly political bars. While some call for peace and unity, others face censorship for their combative lyrics.
The Case Against a Carbon Credit Farm in Madagascar
What could be wrong with planting trees? In Madagascar, community groups in one region are fighting an Italian multinational’s attempts to turn their grazing grounds into carbon offsets. But a complicated legacy of land rights is standing in their way.
‘Kin Cloth’ Brings People Together — and Sets Them Apart
At Nigerian weddings, it’s not just the bridesmaids who wear matching attire. Every guest sports a matching outfit to celebrate their unity with the bride and groom as part of the “aso ebi” custom. But “kin cloth” is more than just fabric. It’s a recipe for drama.
What Trump 2.0 Might Mean for Russian Cybercrime
Cybercrime has long been a useful foreign policy tool for the Russian state. But observers now wonder if shifting geopolitics, including Donald Trump’s rapprochement with the Kremlin, will impact such activities, for better or worse.
CPAC Argentina Signals the Rise of a New Kind of Diplomacy
Argentina’s eccentric President Javier Milei — whose signature chainsaw has been taken up by Elon Musk — recently hosted the Conservative Political Action Conference in Buenos Aires. The growing influence of such unconventional forums signals the rise of a new kind of diplomacy, defined by presidential branding and ideological alliances.
The Disintegration of Assad’s Army
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s army was the result of multiple political, military and social factors. This insider account details its final days and the broader implications for Syria and the region.