The Red Folder
The Archive

Key stories for the week, brought to you by the distinguished newsman Sasha Morel.

Reading for the sake of reading sucks. Telling yourself to read to win a round is nice but ineffective. This condensed news brief helps you understand current domestic and international issues, analyze the news, and gives you opportunities to read more.

April 15, 2024: In domestic news, read about Temu’s dominance of cheap goods in America, California’s new minimum wage price hike, and America’s protectionist policy towards Israel. In international news, read about Zimbabwe’s new currency, the ZiG, Iran’s recent strikes in Israel and what it means for the region, and Vietnam’s landmark death sentence for one of the largest financial crimes in history. 

April 8, 2024: In domestic news, read about the recent outbreaks of bird flu, America's disturbing rise in conspiracy theories, and Trump's most recent 'small' donation. In international news, read about Niger's relationship- or lack of one- with the US, Senegal's new leader, and Netanyahu's fumbling of the Gaza Strip crisis. 

April 1, 2024: In domestic news, read about the Baltimore bridge collapse, Bayer's changing business style, and Congress's habit of simply being opposed to bills instead of passing them. In international news, read about the rise (or fall?) of Hong Kong as an economic empire, the story of Haiti through centuries, and the Russian concert hall shooting. 

March 25, 2024: In domestic news, read about the border showdown between Biden and Abbott, the new AI gold rush, and the DOJ's investigation into Apple. In international news, read about Javier Milei's first 100 days in office, Ireland's recent referendums, and Ukraine's recent struggles in their war. 

This week, we also published a special brief on one of the most controversial and important countries in the Americas- El Salvador. Read CJ Getting's masterful explanation on the country's response to gang violence. 

March 18, 2024: In domestic news, read about Congress’s proposed housing cuts, the ‘Uncommitted’ movement in Michigan, and the newly proposed 32 hour workweek. In international news, read about France’s changing policy on Ukraine, the Maldives’ changing role as a political hotspot for competition between China and India, and Russia’s most recent election.

This week, we also published our longest ever article (four THOUSAND words!) written in collaboration with two of our writers, Paul Robinson and Lindsey Zhao. Read all about the Balkans, and two of their most conflict-prone political hotspots- Republika Srpska and Kosovo. 

March 11, 2024: In domestic news, read about President Biden's State of the Union and Sen. Katie Britt's contentious response speech, Congress' struggle to agree on a budget, and the impending influence of third party candidates on the 2024 Presidential election. In international news, read about Viktor Orbán's right-wing alliance with Donald Trump, Fumio Kishida's tumultuous time as Japan's prime minister among a fundraising scandal, and Poland's provocative construction of the Vistula canal.

March 4, 2024: In domestic news, read about the SCOTUS ruling on Trump ballot disqualification, the high court's deliberations over social media content moderation, and the FTC's decision to block Kroger's merger with Albertsons. In international news, read about the future of China's BRI, Germany's far-right AFD party, and the impact Houthi rebels have had on international trade.

February 25, 2024: In domestic news, read about the shifting political and judicial landscape of abortion law, why Yale chose to require standardized test scores for undergraduate applications, and the wavering American support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza. In international news, read Paul Robinson's 2,500 word Special Report on the civil war in Sudan, one of the most devastating yet least understood ongoing global conflicts.

February 19, 2024: In domestic news, read about Meta’s recent stock buybacks, Biden’s reforms to the Environmental Protection Agency, and BlackRock’s expansive investment into American infrastructure. In international news, read about the warning signs for a British recession, concerns surrounding a mysterious Russian space weapon, and Prabowo Subianto’s victory in the Indonesian Presidential election.

February 12, 2024: In domestic news, read about Trump’s crushing lead in the Republican primary, turmoil in American sanctuary cities, and the effects of slowing demand for electric vehicles upon manufacturers and manual laborers. In international news, read about Israel’s plan to evacuate the city of Rafah in Gaza during a military incursion into the region, Ukraine’s changes to its’ military leadership, and the international reaction to Trump’s frightening rejection of NATO’s principle of collective defense.

February 5, 2024: In domestic news, read about Biden's bipartisan border bill, a recent resurgence in COVID cases, and Taylor Swift 13th grammy. In international news, read about the various two-state solutions proposed in Israel, the future of a non-Netanyahu Israel, and the re-election of El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

January 22, 2024: In domestic news, read about the rise of student voters in elections. In international news, read about military juntas withdrawing from ECOWAS, ANC President Jacob Zuma's suspension, and the UNRWA's Palestine crisis. 

January 15, 2024: In domestic news, read about safety concerns for Boeing after a fallen door during an Alaskan Airlines flight, Trump's blowout win in Iowa, and Bitcoin's newfound accessibility under a recent SEC ruling. In international news, read about France's role in the EU, the Houthis wreaking havoc in the Red Sea, and who's likely to win Taiwan's upcoming presidential election.