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Welcome to Moves That Matter, a new weekly roundup from The Next Move.
The Next Move is all about a strategy for the pro-democracy community. To be strategic requires taking a wide view—highlighting pieces you may have missed, revisiting yesterday’s analysis to see what we got right and what we got wrong.
Keeping track of everything is… exhausting. So this roundup will highlight just the moves that matter (hence the name!).
Your support makes all of this happen. As a thank you to our premium subscribers, Renew Democracy Initiative Chairman Garry Kasparov is giving away three autographed chess sets. Anyone signed up as a premium subscriber by Friday, October 31 will be automatically entered to win. There’s just one week left—don’t miss out!1
Thanks, as always, for your readership and support!
— The Next Move team
Home Field Advantage
We’re mixing chess and sports metaphors, but we needed to set up the domestic section of this newsletter somehow. Also, the World Series starts tonight. Bear with us!
Shut It Down?
Government has ground to a halt.
Weeks into the shutdown, we revisit the question: Is closing the government the strategically-sound move to hold the administration accountable?
To answer this, let’s revisit our debate from April when a shutdown was first on the table—and Democratic leadership chose to compromise.
Let us know in the comments: Do you think the shutdown is still the move?
Putin’s Pawn
The crises continue abroad. Trump’s meeting with Putin in Russia-friendly Hungary is off (for now), but the fact that it was even a consideration shows just how much influence Moscow still wields in Washington.
A Shaky Ceasefire
In the Middle East, initialing a ceasefire deal is only half the battle. With the Israel-Hamas truce already in turmoil, can Trump’s tactics deliver lasting peace?
Your Move
Now let’s get to the most important part—what all of you think about what’s going on!
Renew Democracy Initiative Director of Communications Evan Gottesman asked readers about their experiences with the No Kings protests.
Is No Kings making a splash—or is it a bust? Can the opposition counter authoritarianism and control extremism in its own corner? Here’s what you had to say:
Ed P. [ [link removed] ] had a positive experience protesting in Philadelphia—but offered some constructive feedback:
Derrick White [ [link removed] ] chose not to participate:
Made it this far? Then answer our poll and check back next week for the results to check the pulse of the Next Move community.
On the fence about becoming a paid subscriber? We have a special offer to make the decision easier for you: $49 for an annual subscription—a 30% discount—now through November 8. Paid subscribers get exclusive benefits like interactive Zoom calls with Garry Kasparov. Anyone who signs up as a premium subscriber by October 31 will be automatically entered to win a chess set signed by Garry!1
1. Please see full rules and regulations [ [link removed] ] for The Next Move 2025 raffle.
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