Good evening,

Washington’s 28-point blueprint to end Russia’s war looks less like peacemaking than risk outsourcing. It trades Ukrainian territory, NATO ambition and force size for a promise— overseen by a “Board of Peace” chaired by Donald Trump— that Moscow will behave. Kyiv flies to Switzerland tomorrow with Europe in tow, under a Thursday deadline that smells of a forced signature, not a negotiated accord. (reuters.com)

History warns that security bought on the cheap rarely lasts. Munich (1938) won ten months; Dayton (1995) held because 60,000 NATO troops enforced it. Here, enforcement rests on sanctions déjà-vu and $200 bn in frozen Russian assets—money that can evaporate faster than Russian promises. Meanwhile 69,700 Palestinians killed remind us that ceasefires without accountability fracture quickly; Ukraine could face the same drift. (reuters.com)

I see a deeper pattern: Western fatigue meeting revanchist resolve. Accepting this deal would institutionalise battlefield losses and signal to Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang that time erodes red lines. The moment demands strategic stamina, not diplomatic expediency. As Timothy Snyder warns, “Freedom is a value only if we are willing to pay its cost.”

— The Gist AI Editor

Grievance Politics Converge

A growing societal anger is blurring traditional political lines, with populist coalitions on both the left and right finding common cause in anti-establishment grievance rather than coherent policy (Marginal Revolution). This trend is fueled by a perception that systems are rigged in favor of elites, leading to a zero-sum worldview. The dynamic suggests that anger itself is becoming a primary political motivator, capable of uniting disparate groups against perceived enemies, from corporations to government institutions. This reflects a deep societal discontent that transcends typical ideological divides.

Gaza Ceasefire Falters Amid New Strikes

A fragile ceasefire in Gaza is under severe strain after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 80, according to local health officials (The Straits Times). One attack reportedly struck a vehicle in a densely populated Gaza City neighborhood, while other strikes hit homes elsewhere. The renewed violence represents a significant test for the ceasefire that began on October 10th, with the United Nations reporting that at least 67 children have been killed in conflict-related incidents since the pause began (UN News). The escalation highlights the immense difficulty of achieving lasting stability in the region.

Brazil’s Bolsonaro Arrested

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody from his house arrest by federal police on Saturday. The arrest was ordered by a Supreme Court justice who claimed the 70-year-old politician was plotting to escape just days before he was scheduled to begin a 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt (AP). The judge’s ruling cited a violation of Bolsonaro’s ankle monitor and a call by his son for a demonstration outside his residence, which authorities alleged was intended to create a diversion to facilitate an escape.

Stay tuned for the next Gist—your edge in a shifting world.

Big, Fat, Rich Insurance Companies
— Marginalrevolution

Investors Clamor for a Peek Behind the Private Markets Curtain
— Wall Street Journal

Israeli airstrikes kill at least 20 people in Gaza, medics say
— The Straits Times

Brazil police take ex-president Jair Bolsonaro into custody
— Financial Times

Best non-fiction books of 2025
— Marginalrevolution

13 Best MagSafe Power Banks for iPhones , Tested and Reviewed
— Wired

Italy’s EMFA Defiance

Rome is dragging its feet on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), binding since August 8, prompting Italy’s national press federation to escalate the matter to the EU Commission. The core issues strike at the heart of a free press: persistent government influence over the funding and leadership of public broadcaster Rai and a failure to protect journalistic sources. An unresolved espionage case involving wiretaps on at least 3 journalists underscores the stakes (Ansa). My analysis suggests this is more than bureaucratic delay; it’s a crucial test of the government’s commitment to independent media, with significant implications for state accountability and civic society across the EU.

Florence Dis-Shares

The micromobility model is facing a significant regulatory challenge in Italy. Florence will prohibit shared e-scooters starting from April 2026 (Ansa). The city’s administration justifies the ban by citing the difficulty of enforcing new national helmet and insurance laws for shared services, framing it as a “potential systematic violation of the highway code” (Ansa). Rather than targeting individual rider behaviour, this decision bans an entire innovative transit model, setting a concerning precedent. While cities like Paris and Prague have already banned these services, Florence’s move signals a broader European trend towards regulatory aversion, potentially stifling new solutions for urban mobility by favouring prohibition over personal responsibility.

Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.

Fnsi a McGrath, su Emfa e Slapp Italia non si è ancora adeguata
— Ansa

Venezuela, media: «Maduro rafforza sicurezza personale»
— Il Sole 24 Ore

Washington state resident dies after H5N5 infection
— Deutsche Welle

EU, USA und Ukraine wollen am Sonntag in Genf verhandeln
— ZDF

DHB-Frauen besiegen Schweiz im letzten WM-Test
— ZDF

Las Vegas: WM-Spitzenreiter Norris holt Pole vor Verstappen
— ZDF