Covert Ops

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at a podium during a news conference.

Pete Hegseth Is Unleashing Chaos at the Pentagon Pete Hegseth Is Unleashing Chaos at the Pentagon

Trump’s defense secretary loves taking selfies while presiding over administrative anarchy.

Jul 7, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg speaks during the opening night of the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University on March 27, 2025.

How Jeffrey Goldberg and “The Atlantic” Blew “the Biggest Story of the Year” How Jeffrey Goldberg and “The Atlantic” Blew “the Biggest Story of the Year”

Given advance warning of an impending war crime, the former cheerleader for the Iraq war decided his priority was to protect his scoop.

Jun 13, 2025 / JoAnn Wypijewski

Michael Ledeen on floral sofa in front of plants and a window facing trees in sunshine.

Michael Ledeen Was the Forrest Gump of American Fascism Michael Ledeen Was the Forrest Gump of American Fascism

From Iran-contra to Iraq war WMD lies to Trumpism, this right-wing pundit kept subverting democracy. 

May 30, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Why Pete Hegseth Still Has a Job

Why Pete Hegseth Still Has a Job Why Pete Hegseth Still Has a Job

Hegseth is terrible at every part of his job except the one that matters to Trump—a willingness to break with norms that keep the military in check.

May 12, 2025 / Laura Jedeed

Laura Loomer, a right-wing pundit and supporter of former president Donald Trump, outside the United States Federal Courthouse where Trump is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day on June 13, 2023, in Miami, Florida.

Trump Is Loomering His Own Administration  Trump Is Loomering His Own Administration 

The ongoing internal witch hunt led by the far-right provocateur is a sign of a GOP crack-up.

Apr 7, 2025 / Jeet Heer

All Vance Is Saying Is Give Peace a Chance

All Vance Is Saying Is Give Peace a Chance All Vance Is Saying Is Give Peace a Chance

The vice president has doubts about the Yemen war, but will Democrats find the courage to oppose it? The GOP’s fractures offer a chance to push for an anti-interventionist agenda....

Mar 28, 2025 / Jeet Heer

A Yemeni walks over the debris of a destroyed building after it was struck by US air strikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, March 24, 2025.

Bombing Yemen: Signalgate Deserves to Be a Major Scandal Bombing Yemen: Signalgate Deserves to Be a Major Scandal

But the assault on Yemeni civilians the hapless conspirators discussed in their private chat group is an even bigger disgrace—though so far the press haven’t paid much attention.

Mar 27, 2025 / Phyllis Bennis

Four men in suits sit in the Oval Office.

Group Chat War Plans Provide a Window Into Trump’s Mafia State Group Chat War Plans Provide a Window Into Trump’s Mafia State

American foreign policy is now all about incompetent shakedowns and cover-ups.

Mar 25, 2025 / Jeet Heer

JKF riding in a car through a parade.

JFK Assassination: The Final Secrets JFK Assassination: The Final Secrets

The release of the John F. Kennedy papers sets a standard for transparency that must also be applied to the current administration.

Mar 21, 2025 / Peter Kornbluh

The Making of a Cold War Spy

The Making of a Cold War Spy The Making of a Cold War Spy

The life and work of Frank Wisner, one of the CIA’s founding officers, offers us a portrait of American intelligence’s excesses.

Mar 11, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Adam Hochschild

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