Trump’s Weak Position on Trade
An incoherent American policy has allowed China to benefit from its focus and resolve.
Confessions of a Republican Exile
A longtime conservative, alienated by Trumpism, tries to come to terms with life on the moderate edge of the Democratic Party.
The Real Motive Behind the Real ID–Deadline Charade
The Trump administration turned a legitimate national-security priority into an empty threat against immigrants.
The Comic Who’s His Own Worst Enemy
The Rehearsal takes the prankster’s quest for self-betterment to new extremes.
Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid
It’s not just a phase.
The Great Cousin Decline
Families are shrinking. But the weirdest family role is a vital one.
How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days
He used the constitution to shatter the constitution.
A Totally Unnecessary Way to Stress Parents Out
The tyranny of school spirit days
The Big Focus on Federal Judges Is Not a Good Sign
Elevating them as individuals only serves Trump’s interests.
What Ketamine Does to the Human Brain
Excessive use of the drug can make anyone feel like they rule the world.
How the Ivy League Broke America
The meritocracy isn’t working. We need something new.
Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture?
An emerging critical consensus argues that we’ve entered a cultural dark age. I’m not so sure.
The Political Fight of the Century
For the first time in decades, America has a chance to define its next political order. Trump offers fear, retribution, and scarcity. Liberals can stand for abundance.
The Most Controversial Nobel Prize in Recent Memory
This year’s economics award reinforces a comforting but false story about democracy.
Read The Atlantic’s Interview With Donald Trump
A conversation with the president about executive power, Signalgate, and 24-karat gold
Something Alarming Is Happening to the Job Market
A new sign that AI is competing with college grads
77 Facts That Blew Our Minds in 2024
Chewing gum, space capsules, and minivans are just a few of the things we see differently after a year of reporting.
Dear James: When My Husband Speaks, My Brain Turns to Mush
Is this a normal marriage thing?
Why Are Young People Everywhere So Unhappy?
Here’s the answer to that—and what we can do about it.
The Impossible Plight of the Pro-Tariff Liberals
They finally got the Democratic Party to listen to them. Then came Trump’s second term.