All Questions
16,509
questions
2
votes
1
answer
50
views
Who made public "Jericho Wall" -- the blueprint that Hamas followed on Oct 7?
According to the NYT, a Hamas-sourced document codenamed "Jericho Wall" was somehow made public. It described in a fair bit of detail how the Hamas attack on Oct 7 eventually unfolded.
...
- 144k
4
votes
0
answers
31
views
Does a majority of Israeli Jews still think that the IDF is holding back too much in Gaza?
Time reported on Nov 10:
Poll results were also hawkish when it came to the use of force in Gaza: 57.5% of Israeli Jews said that they believed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were using too little ...
- 144k
-1
votes
0
answers
52
views
Have Palestinian representatives ever offered any peace solutions in its negotiations with Israel?
The question is quite simple as stated - have Palestinian or its representative ever provided / brought a peaceful resolution plan to the negotiation table. If they did, what was the planned solution? ...
- 2,313
-2
votes
1
answer
172
views
Have Netanyahu's policies fueled a rise in anti-Israeli sentiment? [closed]
It has become fashionable to explain (and justify) anti-Israeli sentiment by the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been the prime minister of Israel for most of the last decade. This seems to ...
- 11.8k
3
votes
0
answers
47
views
Are there longitudinal studies on Americans views on the Israel-Palestinian conflict?
Consistently - if memory serves me right - studies show significant generational gap (e.g., one study, another study) that the younger a US is, the higher chance they are going to be supporting ...
- 545
1
vote
1
answer
42
views
Origin of John Adams quote [closed]
What is the origin of John Adams' quote:
the rights of Englishmen are derived from God, not from king or Parliament, and would be secured by the study of history, law, and tradition.
In other words, ...
- 11
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Are there any wars other than the 2023 Israel-Hamas War that are named after a country and a political party?
Background
The 2023 Israel–Hamas war is referred to in the Western media as "the Israel-Hamas war". All Western commentators I've seen, including military experts, journalists, and political ...
- 99
0
votes
0
answers
58
views
Did Russia benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative?
This policy has been alleged by the U.S. Government to be a form of
"Debt-Trap Diplomacy"; however, the term itself has come under
scrutiny as analysts and researchers have pointed out that ...
- 30.2k
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What are some roadblocks preventing a free trade agreement between the EU and America?
Despite the US being the EU’s largest trade and investment partner,
there is no dedicated free trade agreement between the EU and the US.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) ...
- 30.2k
11
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Why are there so many pro-Palestinian protestors in the United States?
Amid the recent rise in pro-Palestinian protests in the United States, most recently one interrupting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, I've begun to wonder - why has there been such a ...
- 1,366
0
votes
0
answers
49
views
Parliamentary Democratic Debate versus Party-line/Party-whip [duplicate]
In parliaments, before voting on some bill, law, or policy, there are debates, where supporters and opposers highlight various thoughts. Then the voting is conducted.
Now, there is always the "...
- 225
6
votes
0
answers
132
views
Did the Trump administration release pressers with unnamed "senior administration officials"? If so, were they as numerous as in the present one?
A quick search of the present White House briefings (i.e. in the Biden administration) finds quite a few pressers (i.e. press releases) with unnamed "senior administration officials". e.g. 1,...
- 144k
2
votes
2
answers
289
views
Did the deaths of Russian generals previously have any measurable impact on the war in Ukraine?
Ukrainska Pravda recently reported on the death of another Russian major general:
Russia has confirmed the death of Major General Vladimir Zavadsky in the war in Ukraine. He was blown up by a mine.
...
- 52.6k
0
votes
0
answers
72
views
To what extent if any did the Koch brothers facilitate an "attack on voting rights... that began after 2008"?
In CNN's November 30, 2023 Will Koch’s endorsement be enough for Nikki Haley to beat Trump?, civil rights attorney Maya Wiley responds to a question about financial support linked to the Koch brothers ...
- 16.5k
16
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Did Iraq declare outright support for Hamas after Oct 7?
According to Le Monde they did:
But a quick search didn't find any statements. So who in Iraq declared support for Hamas, and in what terms?
- 144k
0
votes
0
answers
16
views
Is there freedom of speech here? [migrated]
Is there freedom of speech here?Just two or three biased votes are enough to deprive a person of his right to express himself. Is this sector a breeding ground for regional discrimination, or will the ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
69
views
Which country received the most complaints relating to violations to the TRIPS agreement at the WTO?
One of the fundamental characteristics of the TRIPS Agreement is that
it makes protection of intellectual property rights an integral part
of the multilateral trading system, as embodied in the WTO.
...
- 30.2k
1
vote
3
answers
1k
views
Why are superstates rare? [closed]
I am interested in the efficacy of superstates and the apparent rarity of them. The closest things that are related, are the European Union and the East African Federation (which is still theoretical)....
- 161
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How would electoral votes be cast if the winning presidential candidate was a write-in?
If a write-in candidate won the November 2024 general election for President in some state, how would electors be chosen, since no political party had appointed electors in advance for that candidate?
- 243
1
vote
1
answer
122
views
Why is China's relationship with Canada still strained when China has improved its ties with both Australia and the United States in recent times?
On Sunday, Global Times, published by the Chinese Communist Party’s
central committee, heralded the visit as an opportunity “to ease the
strained China-Canada relations.” However, it quoted a source ...
- 30.2k
0
votes
0
answers
69
views
On what legal basis do the U.S. troops occupy this Syrian territory? [duplicate]
The U.S. troops occupy a part of Syria where they have Al-Tanf base.
Looking for reasons why is that, I read from the same Wikipedia source:
U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said in early ...
- 5,904
2
votes
1
answer
132
views
Does the Florida grand jury's report support its assertion of "malevolence" when it comes to the illegal immigration industry?
Politico.com's November 26, 2023 Florida grand jury calls for new tax to curb illegal immigration:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A statewide grand jury put into place by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to ...
- 16.5k
0
votes
3
answers
217
views
What role does the U.S. play in mediating the conflict between Hamas and Israel?
The truce was reached on 22 November and went into effect the
following morning. US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators are reportedly
discussing a possible extension of the truce.
Israel has said it ...
- 30.2k
5
votes
1
answer
462
views
Is the submission of the Ukrainian President needed so that the Verkhovna Rada can dismiss the Minister of Defense?
Why am I asking?
The minister of defense of Ukraine was dismissed this year. According to Polish and Austrian media which I consume this was the initiative of President Zelenski. However, I had the ...
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why is Hamas seen as being less corrupt than the Palestinian Authority?
Western diplomats have turned to the previously neglected Palestinian
Authority to fill the political vacuum likely to be created by the
planned destruction of Hamas in Gaza, but know their chosen ...
- 30.2k
6
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Does Hamas have any leverage against Israel (other than the hostages)?
According to Politico:
But while Israel and the U.S. want to secure the release of as many
hostages as possible, Hamas also could have reasons to hold onto as
much leverage as it can afford.
Some ...
- 30.2k
6
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What gives Egypt the authority or leverage to act as a mediator between Hamas and Israel?
Egypt, which helped mediate between Hamas and Israel, confirmed the
start time of the truce and that 13 hostages would be released in the
afternoon, adding in statements from its state information ...
- 30.2k
-5
votes
0
answers
157
views
Has Adolf Hitler ever been called a terrorist by any official organisation? [closed]
Given what Adolf Hitler did to Jewish people, has he ever been called a terrorist by any official organisation for that?
- 5,904
0
votes
1
answer
124
views
Why don't most European countries apply to regional trade pacts outside of Europe like the RCEP and the CPTPP?
Why do most European countries not apply to regional trade pacts outside of Europe like the RCEP and the CPTPP?
United Kingdom: The British Foreign Affairs Committee urged the UK
Government to assess ...
- 30.2k
8
votes
2
answers
289
views
How common is it for celebrities, influencers etc. to endorse politicians in exchange for money in the US?
The Hill quotes Trump saying:
“Anyone who would take $95,000, and then endorse a Candidate who is going nowhere, is not what Elections are all about!”
Is this a common practice in the US, for ...
- 144k
0
votes
1
answer
157
views
Why won't China accept losses on loans and want private creditors and multilateral institutions to do the same?
U.S. officials are among those who have criticized China for being
unwilling to accept losses on loans unless private-sector creditors
and multilateral development banks do the same. Consequently, ...
- 30.2k
12
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Why does the Voice of America refer to "militants" and not "terrorists" when talking about armed Palestinian groups, apparently with no backlash?
The BBC got quite a bit of criticism for not referring to Hamas as terrorists, and they apparently caved in.
But I see the Voice of America, which is just as tightly if not more so coupled with the US ...
- 144k
5
votes
0
answers
131
views
Are there other European parties that officially have only one member, but get a large number of parliament seats?
Wikipedia:
After the creation of the association, Wilders disabled new member registration, resulting in his remaining the sole member of the party. The party is considered unique in Dutch politics ...
- 144k
2
votes
1
answer
135
views
What is special in the relations between Bhutan and Switzerland?
The requirements to get a Bhutan visa include
(...) nationals of Switzerland and Thailand who hold diplomatic or government-official passports, are also eligible for a visa on arrival at their port ...
- 2,518
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What happens to Chinese illegal migrants to the US that the US wants to deport but China won't accept?
The NYTimes' November 24, 2023 Growing Numbers of Chinese Migrants Are Crossing the Southern Border begins with the line:
More than 24,000 Chinese citizens have been apprehended crossing into the ...
- 16.5k
-5
votes
2
answers
178
views
Is corruption viewed generally positive by officials in charge of asylum claims? [closed]
I have heard of and been involved in cases where people from authoritarian corrupt countries tried to seek asylum on such grounds, as they have a strong conviction that corruption is bad and they ...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
287
views
In the UK, what are the votes that started as voiced but passed into the divisions for more formal voting?
Following my previous question, I've learned from comments that many votes in the UK are voiced. According to what I was able to gather the Speaker of the House determines if a vote will be voice and ...
- 545
3
votes
1
answer
316
views
Has the US said anything about the apparent Israeli proposal to encourage Gaza civilians to relocate to al-Mawasi?
Relating to the apparent Israeli proposal to encourage Gaza civilians to relocate to a "safe area" in al-Mawasi, which the UN isn't exactly excited about (according to BBC), has the US ...
- 144k
2
votes
0
answers
65
views
How does the U.S. redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist group threaten a peace deal between Yemen and the Houthis?
Advanced plans by Saudi Arabia to strike a peace deal with the Houthi
rebels in Yemen are being jeopardised by Houthi attacks on Israel and
this week’s seizure of an Israeli-linked commercial vessel ...
- 30.2k
0
votes
1
answer
45
views
Did the Federal Reserve discuss establishing currency swap lines with other countries?
In November 2011, the Federal Reserve announced that it had authorized
temporary foreign-currency liquidity swap lines with the Bank of
Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European ...
- 30.2k
1
vote
0
answers
58
views
What's the PVV position on trade with China?
How much decoupling [if any] are they saying they are after? E.g. do they want to limit imports from China, if so how much and by what means? Likewise for exports, e.g. do they support limiting tech ...
- 144k
5
votes
2
answers
618
views
"Ceasefire" vs "Hamas has to go" - has any country/international body proposed a different compromise on the Israel/Hamas conflict of 2023?
The prosecution of Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza has resulted in two opposite responses to the human suffering on both sides:
"Cease fire, now".
This is popular with large ...
0
votes
0
answers
28
views
Is there an advantage for a central bank to not use a blend of private and public for its reserve bank system and make it fully public?
Pursuant to the Federal Reserve Act, each of the 12 Reserve Banks is
separately incorporated and has a nine-member board of directors.
Commercial banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System ...
- 30.2k
2
votes
2
answers
876
views
What it the logic behind prisons' spatial distribution around the world?
I have created a project which shows the distribution of prisons globally. There is likely a rationale behind this distribution.
For instance, why does Switzerland have small prisons while France has ...
- 145
-6
votes
1
answer
168
views
Is the United States the first country to restrict the purchase of home and land of individuals from a certain country country-wide or not? [closed]
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-gov-ron-desantis-introduces-183632318.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8
About the portal: The portal, which comes as part ...
- 30.2k
2
votes
1
answer
448
views
Which groups or individuals acted against the ceasefire and prisoner exchange at the High Court of Israel?
I know that in the government it was only the Otzma Yehudit party who was against. The Religious Zionist Party, while being critical, did not vote against. However, according to Haaretz
Israel's High ...
4
votes
3
answers
277
views
Why is China allowing visa-free entry for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia?
I read:
The Chinese government has announced visa-free entry for up to 15 days for 6 countries, including France, from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024. [Author: dda]
Why is China allowing visa-...
- 3,558
-4
votes
1
answer
167
views
Can China or the IAEA end Israel's nuclear program? [closed]
Li said China has been actively supporting the region's efforts to
establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs.
Li urged Israel to accede to the treaty on the non-proliferation ...
- 30.2k
2
votes
1
answer
641
views
What laws did Duda veto?
Politico:
Duda, originally a European Parliament backbencher from the Law and Justice (PiS) party before becoming president in 2015, has long been loyal to the nationalist party.
Tusk and his allies ...
- 144k
2
votes
1
answer
163
views
Does the PVV want to stop all support for Ukraine?
The Guardian:
The European Greens said today that if VVD joins a coalition with Geert Wilders’ far-right PVV, it should be expelled from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).
...
- 144k