Recommended Weekend Reads

Summary

This weekend’s reads dissect the shifting geopolitics of NATO under Trump’s “quiet‑quit” strategy, the erosion of U.S. reliability among European allies, and Germany’s push to become Europe’s new defense hegemon. They also examine the economic fallout of Trump’s expansive tariff regime, showing most costs falling on U.S. firms and consumers, while public opinion remains largely hostile. Finally, the pieces explore demographic headwinds—from persistently low global fertility to Switzerland’s radical population‑cap vote—and labor‑market dynamics such as the H‑1B wage gap and proposed visa fees. Together, they highlight how policy choices in security, trade, and demographics are reshaping global stability and economic competitiveness.