UNC Campus: A Site for ‘Fellow-Feeling’ in the Face of Conflict

Non-violent resistance can be a muted reflection, standing in front of a mural at the UNC campus, reflecting all those moments of oppression, long before our generations, whose shoulders we stand on, who boldly and fearlessly gave their lives so we can breathe in a free society. All it takes is to stand in a moment of silence and reflection. Because someone, somewhere, stood in the face of oppression.

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Political Expression Takes the Gold: American Athletes at the Winter Olympics

The Olympics often unite Americans across political divides, offering a rare moment when national pride outweighs partisanship. Yet, this year’s Winter Games in Milan have sparked debate after several U.S. athletes expressed discomfort representing the American government amid deep domestic political conflict. The conflicting reception of their comments by the American public and politicians has raised a broader question: should political expression have a place at the Olympics?

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Japan’s Conservative Turn: Takaichi’s Agenda and Its Global Implications

Following Japan’s lower house elections on February 8, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) now holds a two-thirds majority. This marks the most power any political party in Japan has had since post-war times. Led by the recently elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, the LDP stands as the political majority within the Japanese government. Campaigning on conservative ideals, Takaichi’s goals for Japan could have many implications for its citizens and relations abroad.

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Armed Man Shot and Killed Trying to Enter Mar-a-Lago

21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin was shot and killed at 1:30 a.m. on February 22 while attempting to enter Mar-a-Lago, one of President Trump's private residences located in Palm Beach, Florida. Reports indicate that he trespassed 20-30 yards onto the property before he was confronted by law enforcement, who proceeded to fatally shoot Martin.

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The Strait That Shook the World

84% of the crude oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for markets in China, India, and South Korea, among other Asian countries. China also buys more than 90% of Iran's oil exports, and around 53% of India's imported oil in early 2025 came from Middle Eastern suppliers. Meanwhile, Europe faces a second large disruption in the energy market over the last decade, after previous complications stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Setting the Narrative of the Deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good

The homicides of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti represent a larger trend in which federal agents murder American citizens, and then attempt to manipulate public narratives. The rash labeling of Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and the forced reversal of a court order that limited DHS’ supervision of evidence reveal how government institutions attempt to influence the story, even when the facts are not fully confirmed.

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El Mencho’s Death is a Tactical Victory, Not the End of Cartels

On February 22, the Mexican army carried out an operation resulting in the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”), notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). On the surface, this marks a significant victory for the Mexican Government in its battle against cartel power. For years, CJNG has been one of the most dominant and violent criminal organizations in Mexico, heavily involved in trafficking synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, into the United States and Canada. However, the immediate aftermath, along with the historical pattern of similar “kingpin” operations, suggests that long-term change remains uncertain.

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Pam Bondi Takes to the Stand: Political Theater and the Lack of Accountability in American Democracy

On February 11, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the handling and heavy redaction of the Epstein Files. Her behavior was the subject of intense scrutiny, as she responded combatively to questions and acted excessively protective of President Trump. Bondi’s refusal to resign in the face of impeachment threats, as well as her unending loyalty to Trump, sets a dangerous precedent that reputation takes priority over the protection and dignity of the American people.

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Who Inherits the Trump Legacy in the Post-Trump Republican Party?

The emerging 2028 Republican field is defined less by ideological experimentation than by a shared constraint: how closely each contender can tether themselves to Trumpism without inheriting its liabilities wholesale. Vance currently appears best positioned to manage that balance, pairing institutional backing and ideological continuity with generational change, even if questions about his electoral dexterity remain unresolved.

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Thomas Massie and the Limits of GOP Loyalty

Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) remains one of the few Republicans willing to challenge the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, even as he faces a primary challenge backed by the President. This clash highlights the limits of GOP loyalty and illustrates why Massie’s brand of principled independence is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate in the modern Republican Party.

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China is Wooing the West with Visa Waivers

On February 16, the People’s Republic of China announced that it had extended its visa waiver for Canada and the UK, allowing nationals from both countries to enter China and stay up to 30 days for various purposes. The most visible short-term benefit is the ease of travel for Canadians and Brits looking to visit China. However, ramifications extend to economic priorities, as the two countries sought favorable trade deals while navigating their once-close ally, the United States.

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A Continental Partnership: The EU and India Deal

The EU and India, two of the largest democratic economies, are now partners in a new economic pact that has the political world watching. The agreement is designed to boost trade in goods and services, but it also has a deeper meaning. Alongside the promising tariff cuts and access to global markets, there is a clear signal that the EU is shifting its sights to a more welcoming continent: Asia.

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When Loyalty Fails: Zhang Youxia and Xi’s New Military Order

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) investigation of General Zhang Youxia is not just about corruption with senior leaders, as it shows President Xi tightening his control over the military during a tense moment for China. By targeting one of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) most experienced commanders, Xi makes clear that loyalty to him matters more than rank or battlefield experience.

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UNC Plans to Close Its Six Study Centers Amid Federal Funding Cuts

The proposed closure of study centers has mobilized both students and faculty members who are engaged in campus-wide activities such as student discussions, presentations, press conferences, and lobbying with a hope to garner more support, visibility, and demonstrate the impact of the study centers in a bid for the University to reverse its decision.

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The Democratic Party’s Frontrunners for 2028

There is a recognition among Democrats that this is no longer a time to lick wounds from the 2024 loss; instead, it is time to recuperate for the fight ahead: the 2028 Presidential Election. Let’s meet the contenders, from frontrunners, secondary candidates, long shots, and dark horses, for the Democratic primaries.

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NATO Alliance is on Thin Ice in the Trump Era as Europe Rethinks its Defense Strategy

In the wake of the Trump administration’s volatile and hostile global strategy, taking an isolationist and transactional approach to foreign policy and the NATO alliance, leaders across Europe are questioning whether this alliance remains reliable. The European Union has begun to rethink its defense strategy, with many leaders pushing for European strategic autonomy.

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