Newest Questions
18,110 questions
-6
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1
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Could France ask India for the return of the Rafales India purchased from France?
After French officials admitted that a Dassault Rafale fighter jet belonging to India was shot down by Pakistan, could it be possible for France to demand the return of the rest of the India's Rafales?...
- 133
-2
votes
4
answers
201
views
How can a country prove to the domestic and international audience that they shot down five air force jets of another country?
Suppose Pakistan shot down five Indian combat jets using beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles launched from within Pakistani territory, with the debris falling inside India.
To conceal the incident, ...
- 20.5k
0
votes
1
answer
891
views
How many U.S. fighter jets were lost in combat against the Houthis before the ceasefire agreement? [closed]
Prior to the May 6, 2025, ceasefire announcement by President Donald Trump that ended U.S. hostilities against the Houthis, the U.S. conducted sustained airstrikes as part of Operation Rough Rider.
...
- 2,172
-7
votes
1
answer
243
views
Why did India think it would be able to contain the retaliation from Pakistan? [closed]
As a naive person in the area of politics and military, I am really confused regarding why India thought it could attack Pakistan and would be able to contain the retaliation from Pakistan.
For ...
- 20.5k
22
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Is the "Dinner with Trump" campaign legal? [closed]
Short of it seems to be that Trump has offered himself, as President of the United States, to the highest investors in a meme coin named after himself.
Source: João da Silva, Trump crypto soars as ...
- 387
14
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why can't Kashmir just be an independent country?
Note: I'm using "Kashmir" to refer to some combination of (or parts of) Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, and/or any other disputed territories in that general region. Anything that's not understood ...
- 759
1
vote
0
answers
802
views
How come an FBI agent like Robert Hanssen had access to spy lists? [migrated]
Just saw Breach, a movie based on the flushing-out of the FBI spy, Robert Hanssen.
I just don't get two things:
(1) How did Hanssen have access to lists of spies and other top-secret information like ...
- 751
5
votes
3
answers
585
views
Are import tariffs on services a real thing currently?
Recently, import tariffs on goods to and from the US are a very popular topic, because the US President Trump announced quite big tariffs (roughly 10-100%) at the beginning of April and later ...
-3
votes
0
answers
190
views
What are the fundamental flaws of the One Nation, One Election bill? [closed]
What are the fundamental flaws of the One Nation, One Election bill?
In what way does the bill claim to have undermined the nation's Constitutional framework? And what reasons do we have against it?
I ...
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2
votes
2
answers
397
views
Why did the Austrian ÖVP–SPÖ coalition include NEOS in 2025 despite having a slim majority?
After the 2024 Austrian legislative elections, the ÖVP and SPÖ formed a coalition with the NEOS party. However, based on seat distributions, ÖVP and SPÖ together already held a very slim majority in ...
- 660
8
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Why does the Trump administration have a comparatively balanced and diplomatic approach on the India-Pakistan issue?
In recent times, if we see the Trump administration's response to international conflicts, it has been very decisive, and President Trump has been very vocal about their approach. For example:
...
- 952
21
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What economics experts told Trump that his Tariff Strategy will result in a booming American economy?
President Trump has often said that the "experts" tell him that his global tariff strategy (minimum 10%) will result in economic prosperity for the US.
I can find several experts who ...
- 10.9k
-4
votes
0
answers
206
views
Why is Angela Merkel's title not commonly given as "Dr"? [closed]
Angela Merkel holds a PhD in Quantum Chemistry, but her title is far more commonly given as "Ms." (example, example) instead of "Dr.". Why?
Only reason I can think of is sexism (...
- 40.8k
3
votes
0
answers
124
views
What doesn’t work in the Portugal deportation system?
Portugal to expel some 18,000 illegal migrants ahead of snap national election:
Last week, Amaro was quoted in the local press as saying that “Portugal needs to review its deportation system, which ...
- 6,727
0
votes
0
answers
56
views
Did the Coalition preference the Greens behind Labor prior to 2025?
How major parties want you to number the ballot in your electorate indicate that the Liberals and the Nationals both systematically put The Greens behind Labor in their how to vote cards for the lower ...
- 13.8k
1
vote
1
answer
235
views
+100
What is the best strategy to slowly shift local taxes from property taxes to income taxes? [closed]
I am interested in shifting the local (municipal) taxes in our town from property taxes to income taxes. How do I go about it? What arguments are best to put forward to convince the voters to make ...
- 12.9k
4
votes
1
answer
569
views
What actions did the Trump government take to increase military recruitment?
The Trump government claim they have increased military recruitment. What actions did the Trump government take to increase military recruitment?
- 6,727
-1
votes
3
answers
990
views
Does it make political sense to celebrate "Victory Day for World War II" on V-E Day rather than V-J Day? [closed]
I read an odd news story about a Truth Social post by Donald Trump. It seems like a fair idea for people to celebrate a Victory Day for World War II, but what confuses me is that the U.S. hadn't won ...
- 619
3
votes
0
answers
40
views
Quantitative evaluation of India's affirmative action programs
India has a bunch of affirmative action programs, that have been running for a decades, aimed at equitable treatment for groups that have been historically socially marginalized.
For example, based on ...
- 7,386
7
votes
4
answers
2k
views
On the Indus Waters Treaty and "acts of war"
Following India's announcement to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan warned that any attempt to obstruct or divert water flow would be considered an act of war, prompting a response with full ...
- 20.5k
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why was the US de-minimis value of $800 where no custom duty is levied so high compared to other countries?
The reason for de-minimis values, below which goods are typically exempt from customs, in duty collection is that the effort to collect the duty might outweigh the benefit, resulting in higher prices ...
1
vote
1
answer
79
views
Has India called for an open investigation on the recent Pahalgam incident?
Pakistan thinks that Pahalgam incident was either a false flag operation or India doesn't have any proof that the Pakistani state/military was involved.
An open investigation means getting a 3rd party ...
- 20.5k
18
votes
5
answers
5k
views
What does Germany's ruling regarding Alternative for Germany (AfD) mean?
There's been some consternation in the US over a German ruling regarding Alternative for Germany. For instance, Elon Musk
Banning the centrist AfD, Germany’s, most popular party, would be an extreme ...
- 55.3k
7
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Have any previous US Presidents held a military parade for their birthday celebration?
Yesterday (1 May 2025), a number of news outlets reported on plans for a military parade on President Trump's birthday on June 14th, which happens to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the US Army:...
- 189
0
votes
1
answer
215
views
What are the arguments in for and against of the caste based census recently approved by Indian government [closed]
Recently, the ministerial cabinet of the Indian Union government approved the caste based census, which was against the regular stance of the ruling party. This has been a heavily debated issue in ...
- 952
2
votes
1
answer
363
views
Is there any report that designated BJP+Modi's treatment of the Muslims in India as "oppression"?
This report from the CFR focuses on the marginalization situation of Muslims in India.
Is there any other report from other US agency or any NGO or UN department designating BJP+Modi's treatment of ...
- 20.5k
9
votes
4
answers
858
views
+100
Recent historical examples of how mineral deals or other resource agreements affected security?
Are there any recent historical examples of how mineral deals or other resource agreements affected security?
I am trying to use these historical examples to understand the possible implications, if ...
- 12.9k
-2
votes
1
answer
259
views
Constitution regarding a former President running as Vice President and assuming Presidency (even if has been elected 2x) Loopholes/devil's in the det [duplicate]
Love the talk about Trump going "around" the 2 term Presidential limit by running in 2028 as Vice President. The 22nd amendment to the constitution has 2 terms of "election limit to ...
16
votes
4
answers
3k
views
What's the difference between federal income tax and payroll tax? Are y'all taxed twice on your pay?
There was an episode of Last Week Tonight a few weeks ago about tipping and tipping culture. Early in the episode, John Oliver showed a clip of a young woman who said she earned so little on the ...
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Has it happened before that the US Treasury department was directly involved in negotiating trade deals?
Reportedly:
[the Secretary of Commerce] Lutnick did say that he was not dealing directly with China. He said those negotiations were in the “portfolio” of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Has it ...
2
votes
3
answers
658
views
Can I vote at the district of my secondary residence?
I am registered to vote at my primary residence; I also own a vacation home elsewhere.
Can I vote in local elections in both residences?
If not, can I transfer my voting preferences to the vacation ...
- 2,508
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why did it take 7 years for the European Commission to launch legal proceedings against Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme?
I read on Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme ruled to be illegal by EU’s top court:
Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme was launched in 2013.
The European Commission launched legal proceedings against ...
- 6,727
24
votes
6
answers
4k
views
What is the difference between a minority government and a coalition government?
Canada's April 2025 national election was held yesterday, and it is currently looking likely that the Liberal Party will win a plurality, but not a majority, of seats in Canada's House of Commons.
...
- 94.7k
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
In Canada's 2025 election, what have either Poilievre or Carney, as candidates for Prime Minister, said about balancing the budget?
Pretty much what it says in the title. Canada's Federal government hasn't balanced a budget in the last 10 years or so, as I recall.
So what have these 2 candidates said about balancing it?
(At some ...
- 105k
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Which Western countries are looking to cancel procurement/collaboration programs for US weapon systems and how far has that proceeded?
I know Canada is hemming and hawing at the F35 - which had already been contentious in the first place and is reconsidering the runner up, which was the Saab Gripen. It might bite the bullet and ...
- 105k
0
votes
2
answers
325
views
What does Madagascar have to offer in negotiations with Trump's Tariff?
Trump's economic team estimates that Madagascar's tariff rate on US products is 97%. However, in a stroke of largess, Trump is enacting a reciprocal tariff of 47%.
(By now, it's well recognized that ...
- 10.9k
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Why do countries not ban harmful products such as tobacco and sugar?
A large amount of detailed scientific research exists about the relationship between squamous cell lung cancer and smoking habits. Or, for example, a similar amount of research on the effect of sugar ...
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20
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Why are US executive orders so controversial? Aren't they just the chief executive telling the executive branch what to do?
Isn't that what US presidents are voted in for?
I understand that Republicans don't like Democratic executive orders and Democrats don't like Republican ones, but is the controversy around executive ...
- 365
-11
votes
3
answers
355
views
Why did Harvard rejected all Trump's demands, including the reasonable ones? [closed]
Trump's demands, pretty much:
Merit-based hiring. Screen for plagiarism. Merit-based admission; don't discriminate against Asian applicants. Prevent antisemitic harassment of Jews. Viewpoint diversity....
- 2,508
-4
votes
1
answer
166
views
Which major political leaders did not term the Pahalgam attack as a terrorist attack? [closed]
In Pahalgam, India - on Apr 22, 2025, there was an attack on tourists.
Diplomats and/or Political Leaders from across the world including US, UK, Denmark, Germany, France, Russia, even China and ...
- 7,386
1
vote
2
answers
493
views
What evidence has India provided to back up its claims that Pakistan was responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack?
Following the terror attack in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 23 April 2025, the Indian government has attributed responsibility to Pakistan.
What are the publicly stated reasons and ...
- 20.5k
19
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Why is Trump signing many more executive orders during his second term than during his first term?
In 2017, Trump signed just 7 executive orders before the end of January and 55 in total. In 2025, he signed 46 before the end of January and as of April has already signed 130.
Why is Trump signing ...
- 6,727
2
votes
0
answers
283
views
What would happen if no party reached official party status?
According to Wikipedia's article on the Canadian political party Bloc Québécois,
MPs without official party status are treated as independents and must sit in the back row of the opposition benches. ...
- 860
-3
votes
0
answers
189
views
Is there any logic behind the Ofcom claim that an age assurance system will take 16 FTEs? [closed]
It is on the news that Ofcom has released their guidance for Protecting children from harms online. They estimate the cost of a local implementation to be 16 full time equivalents, but do not ...
- 4,723
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Why is India creating pressure on Pakistan with Indus water treaty?
In the wake of the recent terror attack in Kashmir, the Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.
On 23 April 2025, following a targeted terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam,...
- 952
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Did the Anti-Defamation League conflate protesting government actions with antisemitism in their 2024 audit? (re. CNN/Ryan Enos interview)
In CNN's April 24, 2025 video Harvard's lawsuit against the Trump admin sets up a titanic clash over academic freedom after about 04:04, is this exchange between CNN and Prof. Ryan Enos (and website) ...
- 17.4k
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Are there long-term, world-wide, stable trackers of sentiment towards the US?
I want to know how international sentiment towards the US has changed over the last two decades.
Is there a tracker of that sentiment that is worldwide (covering different regions in the world), long-...
5
votes
3
answers
786
views
Which countries are named as US allies by the second Trump administration?
The US under the second Trump administration currently seems to isolate itself somewhat from the rest of the world, with not being part of the Paris Agreement, TPP, wanting to acquire Canada or ...
12
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How do the 2023-2024 university pro-Gaza protests compare to other political protests in the US in terms of violence/illegal acts?
President Trump has taken big steps to curb the independence, some would say say free speech, at elite American universities, justifying that by the need to curb "extremism" and "anti-...
- 105k
2
votes
1
answer
278
views
Is religion-based political decision making compatible with democracy? [closed]
The title question, as it stands. For context, it occurred as a natural generalisation and distillation of cases such as "Is it [truly] democratic for a voter to choose their representatives ...
- 137