1. OPERATION ABSOLUTE RESOLVE

In early January, the United States carried out a highly coordinated military and intelligence operation—known as Operation Absolute Resolve—to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Months of covert C.I.A. surveillance inside Caracas, combined with drone monitoring and a human intelligence source, allowed U.S. forces to track Maduro’s movements in detail. Elite Army Delta Force commandos executed a nighttime raid after U.S. aircraft disabled Venezuela’s air defenses, extracting Maduro and his wife without any American deaths. President Trump praised the operation’s precision and framed it as a strike against drug trafficking, though critics questioned its legality, civilian casualties, and whether it contradicted earlier U.S. claims that regime change was not the goal. The operation has intensified debate over executive authority, international law, and the long-term consequences of U.S. intervention abroad. Imagine you are writing the opening paragraph of a legal and ethical brief for a debate team. Without repeating the summary, describe what makes this operation unusually controversial, and name the two different “stories” the U.S. government appears to be telling about it (for example, law enforcement vs. war, counter-narcotics vs. regime change). Then, in the same paragraph, explain what evidence you would need to see to decide whether the justification is legitimate, and what information—if it stayed classified—would make it impossible to evaluate fairly.

2. GLOBAL SCHOOLS TURN TO A.I., SPARKING EDUCATIONAL DEBATE

Governments around the world are rapidly introducing artificial intelligence tools into schools, partnering with major tech companies to deploy chatbots for teaching, tutoring, and lesson planning. Supporters argue that A.I. can personalize learning, save teachers time, and prepare students for an economy shaped by automation. Critics, however, warn that overreliance on chatbots could weaken critical thinking, encourage academic dishonesty, and expose students to misinformation. Past efforts to revolutionize education through technology, such as “One Laptop per Child,” failed to deliver promised gains, prompting calls for caution. Countries like Estonia and Iceland are experimenting with slower, more structured approaches that emphasize A.I. literacy, ethical use, and teacher oversight. Develop a policy recommendation in one paragraph. Using evidence from the summary, argue for either a cautious rollout or rapid adoption of A.I. tools in schools. Include one historical lesson from past education technology efforts, one potential benefit of A.I., and one safeguard that schools should require before widespread use.

3. COURT STRIKES DOWN CALIFORNIA’S OPEN-CARRY BAN

A federal appeals court ruled that California’s ban on openly carrying firearms violated the Second Amendment, citing a 2022 Supreme Court decision that requires gun laws to align with historical traditions. The majority opinion argued that because open carry was common in the 18th century, modern bans are unconstitutional. California officials criticized the ruling, warning it could undermine public safety, while gun rights advocates praised it as a faithful application of constitutional history. Legal scholars noted that the decision reflects broader confusion following the Supreme Court’s shift toward history-based interpretations of gun laws. The ruling is likely to face further appeals and may not immediately change everyday gun practices in California. In one analytical paragraph, explain how the court used historical precedent to justify its ruling. Then discuss why applying historical practices to modern legal questions can be both useful and challenging. Your response should consider how differences between past and present societies complicate constitutional interpretation.

4. A WEEK WITHOUT SMARTPHONES: STUDENTS TEST LIFE OFFLINE

At St. John’s College in New Mexico, a group of students organized a voluntary weeklong “tech fast,” giving up smartphones and internet-connected devices to examine their relationship with technology. Participants relied on landlines, chalkboards, handwritten notes, and in-person communication, discovering both increased focus and unexpected challenges. While many students felt more present and socially connected, others struggled with practical barriers, such as phone-based laundry machines, banking apps, and work responsibilities. The experiment highlighted how deeply digital tools are embedded in daily life and raised questions about whether meaningful digital boundaries are possible without systemic changes. Using examples from the experiment, write an opinion article. Include one benefit and one limitation of voluntarily disconnecting from technology and evaluate whether individual choices alone are enough to address digital overload, or whether institutions must also change. Support your answer with reasoning from the summary.

5. OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS SUE AFTER FEDERAL HALT

Several offshore wind developers have sued the Trump administration after being ordered to halt construction on major wind projects along the East Coast. The administration cited unspecified national security concerns, while companies argue the projects had already passed extensive federal reviews and that the sudden suspensions are unlawful. Billions of dollars in investment, thousands of jobs, and power for millions of homes are at stake. The dispute also reflects President Trump’s broader opposition to wind energy, including repeated false claims about wildlife impacts. The legal battles raise questions about executive authority, transparency, and the future of U.S. climate and energy policy. Write a short article that examines why transparency matters when governments invoke national security to justify policy decisions. Use details from the article to explain the consequences of limited disclosure for public trust, economic stability, and democratic accountability.