FP Explainer

How Do You Prove Someone's a Witch in Saudi Arabia?

Call the religious police's Anti-Witchcraft Unit and get them to set up a sting operation.

BY URI FRIEDMAN | DECEMBER 13, 2011

Was the Seven Billionth Baby Really Born Today?

Perhaps, plus or minus 50 million babies.

BY URI FRIEDMAN | OCTOBER 31, 2011

Does the U.S. Tax its Billionaires Less Than Other Rich Countries?

Depends what you consider rich. (But yes.)

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

How Hard Is it for Governments to Get Rid of Their Gold?

Depends where they keep it.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Is It Legal for Americans to Fight in Another Country's Army?

For the most part, yes, unless they're fighting against America.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

When Are British Cops Allowed to Carry Guns?

Very rarely.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | AUGUST 10, 2011

What Makes Credit Rating Agencies Issue a Downgrade?

It all depends on if the country is able to pay its debts, and whether it's willing to.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JULY 14, 2011

Why Would Someone Hack the IMF?

To see how the sausage is made.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JUNE 14, 2011

Is It Legal to Try to Kill Qaddafi?

Probably.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JUNE 10, 2011

Why Is It So Hard to Figure Out What's Causing Europe's E. Coli Outbreak?

Because people don't keep their vegetables around to study.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JUNE 3, 2011

Why Is the IMF Chief Always a European?

Because Europeans choose him.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | MAY 18, 2011

Does the CIA Need a Country's Permission to Spy on It?

No, but sometimes it helps.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | APRIL 13, 2011

Why Don’t Other Countries Have Government Shutdowns?

It's a uniquely American form of gridlock.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | APRIL 7, 2011

How Dangerous Is the Plutonium Leaking from the Japanese Nuclear Reactor?

Not as dangerous as the other substances it's releasing.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | MARCH 30, 2011

Can Any Old Country Now Bomb Libya?

Technically, yes, thanks to a vague U.N. resolution. 

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | MARCH 23, 2011

What Happens During a Nuclear Meltdown?

Not what's happening in Japan.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | MARCH 14, 2011

Do No-Fly Zones Work?

Yes, but they might not stop Qaddafi.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | FEBRUARY 28, 2011

How Do You Hire Mercenaries?

It helps to have connections in post-conflict countries.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | FEBRUARY 23, 2011

Can You Get Away With Any Crime if You Have Diplomatic Immunity?

Pretty much, unless your own government gives you up.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Why Do the World's Fattest People Live on Islands?

It's not piña coladas. Evolution has been overwhelmed by Western lifestyles.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | FEBRUARY 8, 2011

How Do We Know How Many Protesters Came Out in Cairo?

We don't really.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | FEBRUARY 1, 2011

Can Governments Really 'Block' Twitter?

Not really. The domain name is inaccessible, but it's not that hard to get around.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JANUARY 26, 2011

Who Are the Knights of Malta -- and What Do They Want?

They're a secretive religious order with a long and bloody history and unique status under international law, but that doesn't mean they run the world.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JANUARY 19, 2011

How Does the Vatican Decide What's a Miracle?

Some theology, a little science, and a whole lot of politics.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JANUARY 14, 2011

Why Do Coptic Christians Celebrate Christmas on a Different Day?

Because they're using a different calendar.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JANUARY 4, 2011

Why Do Diplomats Still Send Cables?

To keep a record and advance their careers.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | NOVEMBER 29, 2010

Did U.N. Peacekeepers Bring Cholera to Haiti?

Not necessarily.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | NOVEMBER 18, 2010

Why Does Turkey Always Arrest So Many People at the Same Time?

To make a statement.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | OCTOBER 21, 2010

Why Do Currency Wars Start?

Because when one country plays with its exchange rate, everyone else has to.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | OCTOBER 14, 2010