The Anticlimactic End of Israel’s Democracy Crisis
The Netanyahu government’s signature legislation went out with a whimper. But the forces behind it have bigger plans.
Lots of People Will Vote This Year. That Doesn’t Mean Democracy Will Survive.
Dictators and even voters can turn elections into mere pageantry.
Photos of the Week: Snow Soldiers, Red Reindeer, Hedgehog Rescue
New Year's Eve fireworks in Australia, ski jumping in Austria, earthquake damage in Japan, a giant Arctic-fox sculpture in China, ongoing battles in Gaza and Ukraine, and much more
A Hard-Won Victory That Ukraine Stands to Lose
The Ukrainian counteroffensive has consisted of grueling battles like this one. Its gains are now at risk.
Photos: The Aftermath of Japan’s January 1 Earthquake
Recent images from the hard-hit region, showing some of the rescue efforts and widespread damage
Photos of the New Year: Ringing In 2024 Around the World
Images of people bidding farewell to the year 2023, and welcoming 2024 with fireworks, celebrations, and more
Photos of the Week: Christmas Bath, Bear Dance, Puppy Yoga
A Christmas fair in Germany, a new volcanic eruption in Iceland, continued Israeli strikes inside the Gaza Strip, an ice hotel in Sweden, and much more
Winners of the 2023 International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Some of the top and winning images from this year’s landscape-photography competition
Xi Jinping Is Fighting a Culture War at Home
The Chinese leader seeks to restore an earlier era of ideological indoctrination and national unity—whether his society wants it or not.
Can Ukraine Clean Up Its Defense Industry Fast Enough?
Kyiv’s struggle to free its weapons production from graft
Zombie History Stalks Ukraine
In a haunted novel, memories of a brutal past transform bodies as well as psyches.
2023: The Year in Volcanic Activity
Scenes from the wide variety of volcanic activity on Earth over the past year
Photos of the Week: Expo Waterfall, Mud Run, Christmas Fire
Swimming during a heat wave in Sydney, extensive tornado damage in Tennessee, scarce resources in the Gaza Strip, ice-skating at a former coking plant in Germany, and much more
What Needs to Happen When the Fighting Stops in Gaza
Reconstruction alone is not enough. Joe Biden has to push for an enduring peace deal based on two states.
Winners of the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest 2023
Some of the winning images and finalists from the seventh edition of this adventure-and-action-sport photo competition
The Most Consequential Act of Sabotage in Modern Times
The destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline curtailed Europe’s reliance on Russian gas. But who was responsible?
The Bridge That Divides Italy
For longer than anyone can remember, those who dreamed big about ruling Italy also envisioned a bridge to Sicily—and failed to build it.
The War Photographer Who Had to Do Something Else
Corinne Dufka wanted to prevent atrocities, not just document them.
Hopeful Images From 2023
I’ve made it an annual tradition to compose an essay of uplifting images from the past 12 months—an effort to seek out and recognize some of the joy and kindness present in the world around us, even in the midst of another tough year.
2023 in Photos: Wrapping Up the Year
It’s time to revisit some of the most memorable events and images of 2023, including an annular solar eclipse over North America, Israel’s war against Hamas, a destructive hurricane in Mexico, and much more.