American Democracy Still Has a Lot Going for It
A distinct set of six institutions and traditions makes the country hard to subjugate to an authoritarian’s will.
The Debate That American Conservationists Should Be Having
What if the U.S. protected ecosystems directly?
American Realignment
The country is sliding from an era of politics forged by social connections at the neighborhood level to one where cultural and ideological polarization dominates.
The Coming Democratic Civil War
A seemingly wonky debate about the “abundance agenda” is really about power.
The Era of Thrash
The American economy has been in chaos longer than you think.
The Show That Makes Being Awkward Feel Good
Culture and entertainment musts from Serena Dai
An Atlantic Reading List on Consciousness
What it feels like to love somebody who cannot communicate the way they once did
The Protective ‘Politburo’ That Hid Biden’s Decline
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson discuss their new book, Original Sin.
Trump Is Making Netanyahu Nervous
Cracks are showing in the U.S.-Israel alliance.
The Big, Beautiful Republican Shrug
Republicans routinely criticized Democrats for rushing bills through Congress. Now that they’re in power, they don’t seem to mind.
What the Show of the Summer Knows About Intimacy
The new Netflix miniseries Sirens has beachy vibes but a dark heart.
A Convenient Piece of Junk Science
RFK Jr. is prepared to rework the FDA’s official assessment of the abortion pill mifepristone based at least in part on a questionable report.
Trump Addresses a Military He’s Remaking in His Image
The president returns to West Point having transformed his relationship with the armed forces.
Project 2025’s Architects Are Close to Achieving a Major Goal
A new Supreme Court ruling shows how the American right has gone from fearing big government to embracing it.
What Are People Still Doing on X?
Imagine if your favorite neighborhood bar turned into a Nazi hangout.
The Funniest Part of Alison Bechdel’s Work
The author is willing to let her main character be both her double and the butt of her joke.
It Should Not Be Controversial to Plead for Gaza’s Children
Israel’s limits on aid have put the region at “critical risk of famine.” Help is within reach. But it’s not enough—and it’s arriving too slowly.
‘All They Want Is America. All They Have Is Panama.’
They thought they’d reached their journeys’ end. Now many of them have come full circle.
The Long War That Ended Last Week
The PKK is disarming. Can Turkey keep the peace?
The Unbearable Weight of Mission: Impossible
What started as the adventures of a brilliant spy morphed into the mythology of an exemplary human being.
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