Are there no choices left other than to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan? Chimène Keitner on the strategic decisions facing the U.S. and the international community.
What does the failure of the U.S.-backed state-building project there mean globally? Larry Diamond on insecurity, corruption, bad neighbors, and democratic resilience.
Why has there been such a striking increase in American overdose deaths during the pandemic? Noa Krawczyk on the consequences of isolation and a fatal contamination of illicit-drug supplies.
Is U.S. democracy more vulnerable today than when Donald Trump was president? Steven Levitsky on the Republican Party’s increasing authoritarian investment in undermining the vote.