Field Note — August 19, 2026 — Narrative Threat Assessment

FIELD NOTE — AUGUST 19, 2026 — NARRATIVE THREAT ASSESSMENT CLASSIFICATION: OPEN SOURCE // ANALYTIC PRODUCT REPORTING WINDOW: Preceding 24 hours (ending 2026-08-19) NARRATIVE THREAT LEVEL: HIGH ACTIVE CLUSTERS: 16 · QUIET CLUSTERS: 2

BLUF. Elevated narrative friction surrounding US-Canada trade negotiations and US diplomatic posture toward the ICC currently drive the assessment environment, alongside sustained baseline monitoring of conventional military risks regarding Taiwan and Iran.

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Observed Items

1. US Delays Canadian Tariffs Citing Bilateral Deal

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: HIGH · ITEMS (24H): 2 · MAX RISK: 55 · AVG RISK: 48 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: US

Observation. US executive leadership announced a three-day pause on planned 50 percent tariffs against Canadian imports, originally scheduled to take effect the following morning. The announcement was made via a direct social media post, which cited a newly reached agreement between the United States and Canada.

Assessment. The abrupt suspension of tariffs highly likely reflects a transactional diplomatic strategy, using imminent economic disruption to force rapid bilateral concessions. The short 72-hour window appears designed to maintain pressure on Canadian negotiators while allowing the US administration to claim a prompt policy victory.

Strategic significance. This dynamic indicates a sustained US willingness to employ acute economic brinkmanship against close allies to achieve immediate trade objectives. Decision-makers should anticipate similar high-volatility tariff threats being utilized as primary levers in near-term trade negotiations.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Economic — The threatened 50 percent tariff on Canadian imports, referenced in the administration's social media announcement, represents a significant potential disruption to cross-border supply chains.
• Information — The US executive utilized a rapid response social media post to preempt official diplomatic channels and frame the narrative surrounding the bilateral deal.

ASCOPE exposure:

• People — The US President personally directed the tariff suspension and communicated the policy shift via a rapid response social media post.
• Events — A three-day deadline has been established to finalize the bilateral agreement before the paused tariffs potentially take effect.

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2. Canada-US Trade Negotiation Posturing and Tariff Pressures

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 6 · MAX RISK: 75 · AVG RISK: 68 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CA

Observation. Recent Canadian media reporting highlights acute focus on Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, characterized by high-level engagements including talks between Mark Carney and the U.S. administration. Concurrently, domestic polls indicate broad public opposition to Canadian concessions, even as former government advisors publicly cite a lack of favorable strategic options regarding looming U.S. tariffs.

Assessment. The divergence between steadfast domestic opposition to trade concessions and structural economic vulnerability likely restricts Ottawa's negotiating maneuverability. Narrative framing that emphasizes the 'intense and delicate' nature of the talks, alongside warnings of 'no good options,' appears to indicate an ongoing effort to manage domestic public expectations ahead of likely asymmetrical compromises.

Strategic significance. Sustained threat of U.S. tariffs, juxtaposed against limited Canadian retaliatory leverage, will likely force Ottawa into concessions that risk significant domestic political backlash.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Economic — Reporting on proposed U.S. tariffs and advocacy by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce underscores the macroeconomic risks driving the bilateral negotiations.
• Political — Polling data showing most Canadians oppose trade concessions likely limits the federal government's political capital for compromise.

ASCOPE exposure:

• People — Direct communications between Mark Carney and the U.S. administration underscore the deployment of specialized envoys to mitigate the tariff threat.
• Organizations — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's public urging for a deal highlights concerted private-sector pressure on political leadership to avoid protracted trade conflict.

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3. Taiwan Legislative Yuan Passes Delayed 2026 Budget

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: HIGH · ITEMS (24H): 2 · MAX RISK: 72 · AVG RISK: 69 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: TW

Observation. On August 18 and 19, 2026, open-source reporting indicated that Taiwan's opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan (LY) passed the 2026 general budget following a nearly year-long delay. Concurrent analytical updates categorized these legislative developments under the framework of defense realism and anti-PRC alignment.

Assessment. The passage of the delayed general budget by an opposition-controlled legislature likely reflects a domestic political compromise aimed at stabilizing state functions. The framing of these developments around defense realism suggests with moderate confidence that elements of the budget will prioritize military modernization or anti-PRC defense initiatives despite prior partisan gridlock.

Strategic significance. The resolution of Taiwan's fiscal impasse removes a significant near-term obstacle to domestic governance and likely enables the continuation of critical defense procurement programs.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — Taiwan's opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan passed the general budget after a nearly year-long delay, indicating a shift in partisan gridlock.
• Information — Reporting highlights themes of defense realism and anti-PRC alignment corresponding with the budget's approval.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The Legislative Yuan served as the primary institutional venue for the budget passage and previous delay.

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4. Iran Military Conflict Assessment Publication

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 75 · AVG RISK: 75 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: IR

Observation. Open-source monitors identified the publication of an 'Iran Update Special Report' dated August 18, 2026, jointly produced by the Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project. The release is categorized under military conflict narrative activity and carries an elevated calculated risk score.

Assessment. The publication of a specialized threat report likely reflects a notable shift or escalation in Iranian military or regional proxy activities, necessitating amplified analytical coverage. This pattern is consistent with heightened scrutiny by independent intelligence organizations during periods of emerging regional tension.

Strategic significance. The issuance of specialized open-source assessments frequently correlates with emergent escalatory events, suggesting a requirement for increased situational awareness regarding Iranian strategic posturing.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Information — The Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project published a special report detailing Iranian threat vectors.
• Military — The report's categorization under military conflict indicates an analytical focus on Iranian armed forces or regional proxy operations.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The joint reporting effort highlights active, specialized monitoring of Iran by the Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project.
• Events — The timing of a special report on August 18, 2026, suggests a response to an acute event requiring dedicated analytical attention.

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5. US Sanctions on ICC Leadership Over Sovereignty

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 75 · AVG RISK: 75 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: US

Observation. Recent US messaging indicates the initiation of a diplomatic campaign aimed at neutralizing perceived International Criminal Court (ICC) threats to national sovereignty. Specifically, statements announce the imposition of sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane and a senior trial lawyer.

Assessment. This messaging likely reflects a coordinated narrative effort to delegitimize the ICC's jurisdiction and frame its actions as direct infringements on US autonomy. The announcement of targeted sanctions against specific court officials is consistent with a punitive diplomatic posture designed to deter further international legal scrutiny.

Strategic significance. The explicit targeting of ICC leadership signals a likely deterioration in US relations with international legal bodies and may complicate engagements with ICC member states. This posture carries the potential to increase friction within multilateral alliances, particularly among partners who traditionally support the court's mandate.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — The item describes a state-level diplomatic campaign to dismantle the ICC's influence over national sovereignty.
• Information — The messaging exhibits high propaganda characteristics in its framing of the ICC as a direct threat.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The International Criminal Court is explicitly identified as the target of the diplomatic and sanctions campaign.
• People — The sanctions specifically target ICC President Tomoko Akane and a senior trial lawyer named Abdou.

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6. Iranian Deportation and Canadian Political Narratives

STATUS: STEADY · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 3 · MAX RISK: 45 · AVG RISK: 43 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CA

Observation. Canadian Border Services Agency officials confirmed the deportation of a member of the Iranian regime, as reported by high-credibility domestic media. Concurrently, unverified social media items propagated domestic political narratives characterized as 'radical annexationism' and 'federalist realism.'

Assessment. The publicized deportation of the Iranian official likely reflects a continued institutional commitment to enforcing diplomatic and security boundaries against hostile state actors. The divergent social media narratives regarding annexation and federalism are assessed with moderate confidence to represent routine domestic political polarization, though the high propaganda indicators in the annexation narrative suggest potential synthetic amplification.

Strategic significance. Active enforcement against Iranian personnel underscores a hardened Canadian diplomatic and security posture toward Tehran. The presence of polarized domestic narratives presents a persistent, low-level vulnerability for external information exploitation.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — The confirmed deportation of an Iranian regime member demonstrates active institutional enforcement of federal security policies.
• Information — Social media items pushing 'radical annexationism' displayed high propaganda markers, indicating potential narrative manipulation.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) executed the deportation of a foreign regime member, highlighting domestic enforcement capabilities.
• People — Domestic populations are subject to competing online political messaging surrounding federalism and annexationist concepts.

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7. Canadian Electoral Narratives and Institutional Distrust Positioning

STATUS: EMERGING · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 6 · MAX RISK: 55 · AVG RISK: 45 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CA

Observation. Recent media and social media activity highlight varied electoral narratives in Canada, emphasizing institutional skepticism and political leadership viability. Observed items include alternative media framing of public distrust toward the CBC (Item 1), mainstream commentary on Conservative Party leadership (Item 2), and francophone reporting on populist figures regarding regional infrastructure (Item 3).

Assessment. This activity likely reflects early narrative positioning by varied political actors aiming to shape voter perceptions ahead of electoral milestones. The emphasis on institutional distrust is consistent with ongoing efforts to leverage anti-establishment sentiment, while parallel discussions on economic stability and decentralization suggest a fragmented and highly competitive information environment.

Strategic significance. The consolidation of these competing narratives presents a moderate risk of deepening domestic political polarization. Monitoring these signals provides early indicators of which wedge issues are assessed to likely dominate near-term electoral discourse.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — Mainstream and alternative media are actively debating political leadership viability and populist movements (Items 2, 3).
• Information — Alternative media narratives are framing state broadcasters as politically biased to foster institutional distrust (Item 1).
• Economic — Social media discourse is highlighting fiscal populism and federalist economic stability as competing electoral priorities (Items 4, 6).

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — Political parties and state broadcasters are central targets of current narrative framing and operational scrutiny (Items 1, 2).
• People — Specific populist figures and political leaders are focal points for institutional skepticism and media commentary (Items 2, 3).

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8. Parti Québécois Signals Referendum Strategy Pivot

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: HIGH · ITEMS (24H): 6 · MAX RISK: 40 · AVG RISK: 30 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CA

Observation. Francophone media reports indicate the Parti Québécois (PQ) is recalibrating its timeline for a sovereignty referendum, explicitly linking potential delays to external geopolitical factors, including the US administration. Concurrent polling analyses project a narrowing electoral majority for the PQ due to vote division, while competing parties such as Québec Solidaire are advancing their 100-day transition platforms.

Assessment. The PQ's conditional delay of a sovereignty referendum likely reflects a strategic effort to mitigate perceived electoral risks among moderate voters who may be wary of constitutional instability. Attributing this pivot to US political dynamics appears to indicate an attempt to shield party leadership from internal sovereigntist criticism by framing the delay as a pragmatic geopolitical necessity.

Strategic significance. A sustained recalibration of the sovereigntist timeline reduces the near-term likelihood of Canadian constitutional disputes while potentially altering provincial electoral dynamics by shifting the debate toward domestic governance.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — The Parti Québécois is modifying its primary constitutional timeline in response to narrowing polling margins and external political conditions.
• Information — Media framing highlights the political dilemma facing PQ leadership regarding the viability of a referendum under current geopolitical circumstances.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — Both the Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire are actively refining their electoral platforms and strategic messaging ahead of the provincial election.
• People — PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is specifically cited as navigating a strategic dilemma regarding the timing of the sovereignty vote.

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9. Guilty Plea in COVID-19 Records Concealment Case

STATUS: EMERGING · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 55 · AVG RISK: 55 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: US

Observation. Reporting indicates that David Morens, an associate of Dr. Anthony Fauci, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges following an FBI and DOJ investigation. The charges relate to a scheme to evade Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and the Federal Records Act concerning COVID-19 materials.

Assessment. This development is highly likely to catalyze renewed narrative activity regarding the origins of COVID-19 and the transparency of US public health officials. Information actors will almost certainly leverage the guilty plea to cast doubt on prior official statements and amplify claims of institutional malfeasance. The event provides verifiable material that is consistent with existing campaigns targeting the credibility of federal health agencies.

Strategic significance. The legal admission of records concealment degrades institutional trust and provides substantial fodder for actors seeking to undermine US public health authorities. This sustained erosion of credibility may complicate future federal public health communication and compliance efforts.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Information — The guilty plea regarding FOIA evasion provides verifiable material for narratives questioning the transparency of federal health communications.

ASCOPE exposure:

• People — The direct association of the defendant, David Morens, with Dr. Fauci serves as the primary focal point for the observed narrative activity.
• Organizations — The involvement of the FBI and DOJ in prosecuting the federal records violation highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of federal health agencies.

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10. NIAID Official Pleads Guilty to Record Concealment

STATUS: EMERGING · CONFIDENCE: HIGH · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 60 · AVG RISK: 60 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: US

Observation. A federal press release dated August 18, 2026, indicates that a former senior National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) official pleaded guilty to charges of concealing federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement reflects the formal legal resolution of an investigation into pandemic-era administrative practices.

Assessment. This judicial outcome likely reinforces ongoing domestic narratives scrutinizing the transparency and accountability of federal public health agencies. It is assessed with moderate confidence that the guilty plea will be leveraged in broader political and informational discourse regarding government conduct during the COVID-19 crisis.

Strategic significance. Confirmed record concealment by a senior health official may further degrade public trust in federal institutions and potentially catalyze subsequent congressional oversight efforts.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Information — The guilty plea involves the deliberate concealment of federal records, directly impacting the availability of government information related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Political — The conviction of a senior NIAID official provides discrete material for political discourse surrounding government transparency and institutional accountability.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The incident centers on the administrative practices and internal compliance of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
• People — The charges highlight individual legal accountability for a former senior official responsible for managing federal records.

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11. Economic Stability and Sovereignty Narrative Emergence

STATUS: EMERGING · CONFIDENCE: LOW · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 40 · AVG RISK: 40 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CA

Observation. A single social media signal observed within the CA information space juxtaposes economic stability against sovereignty risks. The item, circulating via X, presents a moderately propagandistic framing of macroeconomic conditions.

Assessment. The observed messaging likely reflects an emerging effort to link economic anxieties with perceived threats to national sovereignty. Assessed with low confidence, this framing may be designed to undermine public trust in current fiscal or trade policies by portraying them as existential compromises. It is currently unclear if this represents an organic domestic grievance or an initial phase of a coordinated information operation.

Strategic significance. Continued monitoring is required to determine if this narrative gains traction and influences public support for CA economic policies. If amplified, it could constrain leadership decision-making regarding cross-border economic integration or foreign investment.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Economic — The identified narrative explicitly links economic stability to national sovereignty risks.
• Information — The dissemination of sovereignty-related economic framing via X indicates early-stage narrative shaping in the information environment.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Capabilities — The messaging targets the perceived independence and resilience of the state's economic governance capabilities.

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12. Anti-CCP COVID-19 Accountability Rhetoric Resurgence

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 75 · AVG RISK: 75 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CN

Observation. An August 2026 opinion piece published in The Washington Times advocates for ending diplomatic euphemisms regarding the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) role in the COVID-19 pandemic. The article explicitly frames the CCP as directly accountable for the global disruptions that began six years prior.

Assessment. This framing likely reflects ongoing efforts within specific U.S. media ecosystems to sustain or revitalize accountability narratives targeting Beijing. The publication of such rhetoric suggests a latent but persistent informational line of effort aimed at maintaining reputational pressure on the CCP, potentially to shape broader bilateral discourse.

Strategic significance. Continued amplification of CCP accountability narratives in Western media could incrementally constrain diplomatic flexibility and signal enduring domestic political pressure for harder-line policies toward Beijing.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Information — An opinion piece in The Washington Times explicitly targets the CCP, demonstrating ongoing narrative generation regarding pandemic accountability.
• Political — The rhetoric advocates for a shift away from diplomatic euphemisms, indicating domestic pressure for a more confrontational political posture toward China.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The narrative explicitly isolates the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the primary entity responsible for global pandemic disruptions.
• Events — The framing leverages the historical event of the COVID-19 pandemic's onset to justify current adversarial rhetoric.

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13. Demographic Threat Framing in Polish Information Space

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 70 · AVG RISK: 70 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: PL

Observation. A video of a purportedly Somali man expressing intent to migrate to Poland to increase the country's diversity has gained significant traction on Polish social media. The content was notably amplified by the Visegrád 24 account on the X platform.

Assessment. The rapid circulation of this video likely reflects a deliberate effort to stoke anti-migrant sentiment by framing immigration as a demographic threat to Poland. High propaganda and low credibility indicators suggest this narrative is assessed with moderate confidence to be an opportunistic manipulation designed to polarize the domestic populace.

Strategic significance. The persistent weaponization of migration narratives in Poland threatens to degrade social cohesion and may influence domestic security postures. Sustained demographic threat framing could increase the likelihood of localized civil friction or pressure political actors to adopt hardline immigration stances.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Information — The Visegrád 24 X profile served as a primary vector for amplifying the viral migration video into the Polish information environment.
• Social — The narrative attempts to manipulate domestic social dynamics by portraying incoming migrants as a deliberate demographic threat.

ASCOPE exposure:

• People — The messaging directly leverages the statements of a young Somali male to trigger demographic anxieties among the Polish public.
• Organizations — The Visegrád 24 account acted as a key amplifier for distributing this specific demographic threat narrative.

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14. Francophone Media Profiles Trump Campaign Assistant

STATUS: EMERGING · CONFIDENCE: LOW · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 58 · AVG RISK: 58 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: US

Observation. On August 18, 2026, francophone news outlet TVA Nouvelles published a profile on Natalie Harp, an assistant to Donald Trump. The reporting characterized Harp as 'the human printer' and focused on her persistent proximity to the candidate.

Assessment. This reporting likely reflects sustained international media interest in the personnel and internal dynamics of US political campaigns. Profiling aides who control information flow to candidates appears to indicate a broader journalistic effort to map the organizational structure and operational habits of prominent political figures.

Strategic significance. Media focus on candidate advisory circles provides granular visibility into campaign information environments, which may marginally shape foreign understanding of US political decision-making processes.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — The reporting scrutinizes the personnel and operational structure of a prominent US political campaign.
• Information — The article explicitly focuses on the assistant's role in managing and providing printed information to the candidate.

ASCOPE exposure:

• People — The item centers on the identity, background, and daily functions of campaign assistant Natalie Harp.

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15. Canadian Electric Vehicle Sales Mandate Rollback

STATUS: EMERGING · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 55 · AVG RISK: 55 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CA

Observation. Recent reporting from Canadian public broadcasting indicates the federal government is abrogating its mandate regarding electric vehicle sales. This development is currently being categorized as a regulatory rollback in initial narrative assessments.

Assessment. The characterization of this policy shift as a 'rollback' likely reflects ongoing domestic political contestation surrounding federal climate initiatives. Information actors will likely leverage this regulatory change to either validate criticisms of prior environmental overreach or highlight perceived vulnerabilities in the government's climate strategy.

Strategic significance. The cancellation of the electric vehicle mandate signals a potential recalibration of Canada's environmental regulatory framework, which may impact North American automotive market dynamics and climate policy alignment.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — The reported abrogation of the electric vehicle sales mandate constitutes a direct shift in federal regulatory policy.
• Information — The characterization of the policy shift as a 'regulatory rollback' indicates active narrative framing of the government's climate initiatives.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The Canadian federal government is identified as the primary entity executing the abrogation of the vehicle sales mandate.

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16. Parliamentary Probe Investigates Alleged Canadian NATO Spy

STATUS: ELEVATED · CONFIDENCE: MODERATE · ITEMS (24H): 1 · MAX RISK: 60 · AVG RISK: 60 · PRIMARY COUNTRY: CA

Observation. Canadian Members of Parliament have initiated a national security probe following reports of an alleged spy operating within NATO structures. Media reporting on August 18 highlights an emerging public focus on potential vulnerabilities within Canadian security apparatuses.

Assessment. The public framing of this investigation as a potential institutional failure likely reflects an effort by political actors to scrutinize the government's national security record. Sustained parliamentary focus on this issue is assessed with moderate confidence to generate domestic narratives questioning the efficacy of Canada's intelligence apparatus. This domestic scrutiny appears to indicate a heightened sensitivity to allied perceptions of Canada's reliability as a security partner.

Strategic significance. Continued political and media focus on internal security vulnerabilities may negatively impact allied confidence in Canadian intelligence-sharing capabilities, while risking a degradation of public trust in national security institutions.

PMESII dimensions engaged:

• Political — Canadian Members of Parliament have launched a formal probe into national security protocols in response to the alleged NATO espionage incident.
• Information — Media reporting frames the espionage incident primarily through the lens of domestic institutional failure.

ASCOPE exposure:

• Organizations — The parliamentary investigation directly scrutinizes the competence and internal practices of Canadian national security organizations.

Key Judgments

1. Canadian domestic information environments reflect hardening opposition to bilateral trade concessions, likely indicating a highly constrained negotiating posture in the near term (assessed with moderate confidence).
2. US diplomatic messaging targeting the International Criminal Court appears designed to signal maximalist defense of national sovereignty, correlating with elevated propaganda indicators (assessed with high confidence).
3. Ongoing narrative activity concerning Taiwan, China, and Iran indicates sustained focus on conventional military friction points without immediate indicators of kinetic escalation (assessed with moderate confidence).
4. Canadian electoral discourse demonstrates rising institutional skepticism and pragmatic sovereignism, which will likely complicate federal policy coherence (assessed with moderate confidence).

What to Watch (Next 24–48h)

• Shifts in Canadian federal rhetoric indicating a willingness to leverage economic brinkmanship in ongoing trade negotiations.
• Emergence of retaliatory or defensive diplomatic narratives from European or multilateral institutions in response to US anti-ICC sanctions.
• Exploitation of US domestic accountability narratives regarding COVID-19 by adversarial state media to amplify institutional critique.

Quiet Clusters This Cycle

• EC: Narrative Activity — military_conflict
• Global: Narrative Activity — tech_policy