An illustration shows a booted foot kicking down the pillars of a building with multiple hands bracing to hold the last pillar up.
An illustration shows a booted foot kicking down the pillars of a building with multiple hands bracing to hold the last pillar up.

The Age of Defensive Democracy

What is at stake today is not whether democracy can spread but whether it can survive at all. This article has an audio recording

Argument
Nicholas Bequelin
A man holds a potted plant above his head and looks down.
A man holds a potted plant above his head and looks down.

Park Chan-wook’s Murderous Comedy of Corporate Manners Is a Masterpiece

‘No Other Choice’ shows a man’s world collapsing—with deadly results.

Review
Sarah Weinman
People stand inside inside booths that are partly covered by curtains in red, white, and blue stripes. Because of the curtains, only the voters' lower legs and feet are visible.
People stand inside inside booths that are partly covered by curtains in red, white, and blue stripes. Because of the curtains, only the voters' lower legs and feet are visible.

The Problem With Representative Democracy

What if elections aren’t the be-all and end-all?

Excerpt
Hélène Landemore
Robert Redford in a shirt and tie holds a phone to his ear as he sits behind a cluttered desk in an newsroom. Behind him, at right, Dustin Hoffman does the same, writing in a reporters notebook.
Robert Redford in a shirt and tie holds a phone to his ear as he sits behind a cluttered desk in an newsroom. Behind him, at right, Dustin Hoffman does the same, writing in a reporters notebook.

‘All the President’s Men’ Is 50—and Still Remarkable

This film makes cold calling names from the phone book look as thrilling as Indiana Jones outsmarting the Nazis.

Essay
Jordan Hoffman
Russian woman with anti-war sign observed by police in Moscow
Russian woman with anti-war sign observed by police in Moscow

The Puzzling Passivity of Russians

Repression alone cannot explain the vast protest gap between Moscow, Tehran, and Kyiv. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Alexander J. Motyl
A painting shows soldiers in red coats gathered around a fallen general on a battlefield. A shirtless Indigenous man kneels at left, his chin resting on his hand as he watches. A British flag is behind the scene with more figures engaged in a battle and ships on the horizon.
A painting shows soldiers in red coats gathered around a fallen general on a battlefield. A shirtless Indigenous man kneels at left, his chin resting on his hand as he watches. A British flag is behind the scene with more figures engaged in a battle and ships on the horizon.

How the British Empire Chose Canada Over Guadeloupe

London won the spoils of war from France—and lost the United States.

Excerpt
Duncan Weldon
Super Bowl signage is displayed in a window seen from outside.
Super Bowl signage is displayed in a window seen from outside.

The Enormous Business of the Super Bowl

How the economics of football shape American culture. This article has an audio recording

Insider
Cameron Abadi, Adam Tooze
A silhouette of Melania Trump appears a she walks in front of a giant movie screen showing the title of her new movie, Melania.
A silhouette of Melania Trump appears a she walks in front of a giant movie screen showing the title of her new movie, Melania.

‘Melania’ Is a Lousy Film but Forever Part of U.S. History

It’s less “Triumph of the Will,” more Jackie Kennedy’s landmark TV special.

Review
Jordan Hoffman
A series of book covers laid over a yellow and white background.
A series of book covers laid over a yellow and white background.

A Pair of Inventive Novels on Migration

Plus, more international fiction releases in February.

Books
Chloe Hadavas, Allison Meakem
Hitler looks out on a snowy scene at the Olympics, including a man holding an American flag and members of the crowd giving the salute.
Hitler looks out on a snowy scene at the Olympics, including a man holding an American flag and members of the crowd giving the salute.

The Other Nazi Olympics

Ninety years ago, Nazi Germany hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics—but the latter has unjustly gone forgotten. This article has an audio recording

Argument
Paul Hockenos
Soldiers in camouflage with helmets and visors and holding large rifles stand in a parking lot front of a shopping center. The corner of a military vehicle is visible parked behind them.
Soldiers in camouflage with helmets and visors and holding large rifles stand in a parking lot front of a shopping center. The corner of a military vehicle is visible parked behind them.

What It Took for George H.W. Bush to Invoke the Insurrection Act

The president’s decision to send troops to Los Angeles received broad national, bipartisan support. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
An open door looks out onto a truck in a mining field.
An open door looks out onto a truck in a mining field.

Welcome to the ‘Mad Max’ World Order

How a runaway uranium convoy encapsulates the collapse of global rules. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Steven M. Radil, Raphael Parens
A man in black clothes and a black hat walks past a billboard depicting three eras of soldiers with lettering in Cyrillic.
A man in black clothes and a black hat walks past a billboard depicting three eras of soldiers with lettering in Cyrillic.

The Day Russia’s War Collided With History

By lasting longer than World War II, the invasion of Ukraine has shattered the Kremlin’s most sacred myth. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Alexey Kovalev
An aerial view of an oil pipeline passing over a blue and icy river.
An aerial view of an oil pipeline passing over a blue and icy river.

How the U.S. Forgot It Was an Arctic Nation

The story of how Washington neglected the Arctic—until Trump 2.0.

Review
Gloria Dickie
Donald Trump is seen displayed on a large screen from mid-face down to his mid-torso as he speaks behind a lectern. Below him a crowd of people listening in the dark is silhouetted in front of an illuminated World Economic Forum sign.
Donald Trump is seen displayed on a large screen from mid-face down to his mid-torso as he speaks behind a lectern. Below him a crowd of people listening in the dark is silhouetted in front of an illuminated World Economic Forum sign.

No, the International Community Isn’t Dead Yet

The “rules-based international order” may prove stronger than Trump—or anyone else—realizes. This article has an audio recording

Essay
Michael Hirsh
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