Clan System: US History Before 1865.

The clan system is a social structure prevalent among many Native American tribes, characterized by groups of related families who share a common ancestor. This system often dictated social relationships, governance, and cultural practices, creating a strong sense of identity and belonging among its members. Clans played a critical role in the organization of tribal …

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Scientists making significant progress in advancing climate-smart crops (Anders Lorenzen)

A study released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences has unveiled that a new breeding strategy to create climate-smart crops rapidly has seen significant progress. The new varieties created using this strategy show higher yields under normal climatic conditions and when being exposed to heat stresses they rescue and limit yield losses both for staple grain and …

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The Middle East’s Dangerous New Normal: Iran, Israel, and the Delicate Balance of Disorder (Suzanne Maloney)

On October 3, 2023, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addressed a large crowd of government officials and international visitors in Tehran. As he approached his conclusion, Khamenei’s remarks turned to Israel—the Islamic Republic’s self-proclaimed nemesis. Invoking a verse from the Koran, Khamenei insisted that the Jewish state would “die of [its] rage.” He reminded the …

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The Day After Assad (Natasha Hall and Joost Hiltermann)

For more than half a century, the Assad dynasty appeared to have an impregnable hold over Syria. Relying on a formidable security apparatus, brutal use of force, and powerful allies such as Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, it had withstood multiple uprisings, and even a terrible civil war in which hundreds of thousands were killed and …

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How Turkey Won the Syrian Civil War (Gonul Tol)

Assad’s Downfall Is a Boon for Erdogan—at Least for NowIn most capitals across the Middle East, the news of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s fall sparked immense anxiety. Ankara is not one of them. Rather than worrying about Syria’s prospects after more than a decade of conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sees opportunity in a …

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End game in Ukraine (Julian Barnes)

No matter who won the presidential election, the war in Ukraine was likely to end next year. Both Ukraine and Russia are running out of troops and struggling to call up more young men for the front lines. That reality always meant that 2025 would be a year of negotiations. Donald Trump’s victory will hasten …

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