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1500 questions
28
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10 answers
What are the drawbacks of the US making tactical first use of nuclear weapons against terrorist sites?
The US presidential Republican nominee Donald Trump stated that he did not rule out using nuclear weapons in the fight against the terrorist organization ISIS. I would like to gain more information about what would happen if someone did use nuclear…
Wuschelbeutel Kartoffelhuhn
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What is the language of the Swiss national parliament?
In the European union parliament, armies of translators translate every word into all other languages.
Switzerland is a country with 3–4 official languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansh. In an item in the Swedish news tonight about the Swiss…
gerrit
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Why did Arab spring and Iranian green revolution fail, but the European revolutions didn't?
Why did the Arab spring back a few years ago fail for the most part, the Iranian green movement didn't get the result it wanted, but the European revolutions (such as French revolution in part or revolutions of 1848) were able to reform a continent…
picolo
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What is the legal background for Russia's seat as a Permanent Member of UNSC?
At the UN's founding in 1945, the Soviet Union became one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
When in December 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, the Russia was arguably recognized as the legal successor state of the Soviet Union…
Be Brave Be Like Ukraine
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27
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Why isn't a Condorcet method used?
A Condorcet method is an election system where voters rate their candidates in order of preference. As an example, for candidates A B and C, a valid vote can be [A > B > C], [C > B > A], [B > A > C] etc.
The vote then leads to chained preference…
Diane M
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2 answers
Why do members in the British parliament yell "whooo....." during debates?
I sometimes watch BBC channel and see heavy debate in the British parliament. What interests me is, when one politician speaks about one policy and expresses his own view on something, some other politicians stand up and yell 'whooo.....'. Can you…
Julia
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Two years after the breakout of Ukraine war, is/how is Russia successful in sustaining its economy (now even growing?) and the war?
Since 2022, Russia has received huge amount of Western economic sanctions. The war itself is money-burning.
I understand that war may stimulate military-related economy as explained in this VOA article, but it is hard to believe that Russia could…
No One
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4 answers
Why is there a strong drive for undocumented migration, from France, to the United Kingdom?
Since years, undocumented migrants camp in Calais and try to get to the United Kingdom. In recent days, media have reported this has increased. For example, BBC News.
I can understand why undocumented migrants from countries like Sudan and Syria…
gerrit
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Why do the Nordics have a low birth rate despite their government providing all parents with free childcare and parental leave?
Supporters of free childcare, parental leave and other parental perks often claim that the lack of such benefits is the root cause of low fertility rates in the US and other developed nations. And yet, Nordic countries have low birth rates too…
JonathanReez
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Why do many liberal countries criminalize polygamy?
Polygamy is a crime in many liberal countries (such as all 27 countries of the European Union). It is theoretically victimless, however. Why then would a liberal country criminalize it?
Things I can think of:
Polygamy is sexist. However, polygamy…
Allure
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9 answers
What can be the reasons or advantages for Russia's candid admission of their own fighter dropping ordnance over Belgorod instead of blaming Ukraine?
Today, a report came up about a Russian attack aircraft dropping ordnance over Belgorod, causing a crater 40m wide in one of the central streets of the city. Some reports indicate that this was an accidental weapons release, and the Russian Ministry…
HaroldH
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Are the UK, Germany and USA not concerned about their (donated) tanks being captured and researched by Russia?
It has been well established that several NATO countries are donating armoured vehicles (and training crews) to Ukraine. Some of the more notable vehicles that are being delivered include the American M1 Abrams, German Leopard 2, and British…
Boolean
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What is the motivation for felony disenfranchisement?
Felony disenfranchisement is to take away someone's right to vote during or after this person is in prison. It appears particularly common in the United States.
What is the aim of such a rule? Is it meant as an additional punishment to the…
gerrit
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8 answers
How can we estimate the real support of the war among Russian citizens?
I've read that up to 70% of Russian citizens support an ongoing invasion to some extent. But these numbers were coming from government-affiliated organizations (VCIOM etc.); I think one can't really trust such polling during the conflict. Thus my…
Igor
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7 answers
Is Bakhmut an important city in the Ukraine war, and if so, why?
Russia and Ukraine have been fighting over it for over 4 months. Is there a reason why the city seems to be considered important for the war? I heard analysts say that the city only has a symbolic importance and they've been attacking it because of…
Sayaman
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