Midway
How much has American political life changed since the end of the Trump era? Bill Scher on U.S. public policy and political culture after two years of Democratic governance.
A new ice age
Is war in Ukraine splitting the world into two camps again? Lucan Way on the emerging competition for global supremacy.
The chamber
What’s really going on at Twitter—and why does it matter? Aynne Kokas on free speech, good governance, and the vast problem of data insecurity on social platforms.
‘The charge of a false religion’
How prominent is “Christian nationalism” becoming in the U.S.? Curtis Chang on the challenges for American democracy, and American Christians, from “the secular god of politics.”
Viral effects
What just happened with the mass street protests in China? Alec Ash on the causes and consequences of an unprecedented show of popular anger at the communist state.
Electronic arms race
Why is the U.S. banning semiconductor-chip exports to China? Chris Miller on Washington’s new strategy to protect its military advantage and hobble Beijing’s.
‘No man’s land’
What’s happening to the U.S. Republican Party? A.B. Stoddard on signs of change, their ambiguous direction, and the resilience of populism on the American right.
Game within the game
What’s driven Qatar’s extravagant spending for this year’s World Cup? Sarath K. Ganji on a powerful strategy for global influence and the subtle tactics of “sportswashing.”
The seers
Why do American journalists keep telling the future after continually getting it wrong? James Fallows on the ideas and culture behind the predictive style in U.S. political media.
Lost in translation
What happened to the historic turning point Germany announced back in February? Liana Fix on how a major transformation with global implications got sidetracked.
