Every society is prone to panics, hysteria, mania, and social contagion. To resist such pathologies, it must rely on trusted institutions committed to reason, dispassionate inquiry, and debate. By this measure, US universities are now underperforming. (1/7)

It’s a cliché that Turkey is a land of contradictions. Fertility is a case in point. Across Turkey’s provinces, the total fertility rate ranges from 1.2 children per woman to 3.4. In few other countries are geographic fertility variations as large. Clip: TURKSTAT. (1/4)

Businesses are finding merit in institutional neutrality. “In the midst of what many expect to be the most toxic presidential campaign in modern history, American businesses are going to extraordinary lengths to stay off the political radar.” (Source: WSJ)

It’s becoming increasingly common for Muslim-born Turks to leave Islam openly. The incumbent regime is a major cause. This woman, who was educated at a religious school, says: “If the President is a Muslim, then I am not. His religion cannot be mine, too.” (1/4)

Suppose the IDF sweeps into Rafah, captures all its Hamas operatives, and destroys all Hamas infrastructure in the city, including tunnels. It’s doubtful that Israel would gain anything, except perhaps a fleeting satisfaction of revenge. A new generation of Palestinian leaders…