Nation Building

South African farmer Tewie Wessels addresses a group of white South Africans supporting US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk during a demonstration in Pretoria, on February 15, 2025.

Why Trump Is Threatened by South Africa Why Trump Is Threatened by South Africa

The country’s Constitution gives its citizens more than a right to the pursuit of happiness. But attempts to redeem that commitment to justice have enraged American reactionaries....

Mar 14, 2025 / Susan Neiman

Elon Musk at the first Trump cabinet meeting.

The Cossacks Work for the Czar—and Musk Works for Trump The Cossacks Work for the Czar—and Musk Works for Trump

The president’s narcissistic management style is at the root of cabinet infighting.

Mar 10, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Donald Trump stepping out onto a stage while holding a red MAGA hat.

Pay Less Attention to That Man in Front of the Curtain Pay Less Attention to That Man in Front of the Curtain

Musk’s machinations and Trump’s daily outrages are meant to be mesmerizing—and paralyzing. But there are plenty of ways to fight back effectively—starting with not panicking.

Feb 13, 2025 / Zephyr Teachout

Still leaning left?: Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Senate Democrats Are Attacking Tulsi Gabbard for the Wrong Reasons Senate Democrats Are Attacking Tulsi Gabbard for the Wrong Reasons

Preferring to defend spy agencies and line up behind the hawkish consensus, the bipartisan elite ignores the director of national intelligence nominee’s rampant Islamophobia.

Jan 31, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Let’s call the whole thing off: Justin Trudeau shaking hands with Donald Trump at a NATO summit in London to mark the alliance's 70th anniversary in December 2019.

Justin Trudeau’s Fecklessness Made Him an Easy Target for MAGA Manifest Destiny Justin Trudeau’s Fecklessness Made Him an Easy Target for MAGA Manifest Destiny

The United States probably won’t annex Canada. But Trump’s imperial dreams are already destabilizing the world.

Jan 10, 2025 / Jeet Heer

An effigy of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during a protest outside the National Assembly in Seoul following the second martial law impeachment vote on December 14, 2024.

South Korea's Autumn of the Patriarchy South Korea's Autumn of the Patriarchy

President Yoon Suk-yeol is the first of his country's leaders eager to be a stooge of both Washington and Tokyo. His impeachment is testimony to the strength of Korean democracy.

Dec 19, 2024 / Bruce Cumings

Good Neighbor Policy: Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro chat during an exposition game between the Cuban national team and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Havana on March 22, 2016.

Biden’s Legacy on Cuba Biden’s Legacy on Cuba

On the 10th anniversary of Obama’s opening, the outgoing president should take immediate action because it is good for the US, good for the Cuban people—and the right thing to do....

Dec 17, 2024 / Peter Kornbluh

Lara Trump, Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, speaks in front of attendees during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 4, 2024.

At CPAC Argentina, a Preview of Donald Trump’s Second Term At CPAC Argentina, a Preview of Donald Trump’s Second Term

A far-right international extending from Lara Trump and Steve Bannon to Jair Bolsonaro and Javier Milei joined reactionaries across Europe to promise no safe quarter for the left....

Dec 6, 2024 / Jacob Sugarman

In Lebanon, Israel Is Only Sowing the Seeds of More Bloodshed and Terror

In Lebanon, Israel Is Only Sowing the Seeds of More Bloodshed and Terror In Lebanon, Israel Is Only Sowing the Seeds of More Bloodshed and Terror

The history of Israel’s incursions into Lebanon are a series of lessons in futility and the arrogance of power. If only anyone were paying attention.

Oct 17, 2024 / Charles Glass

Anthony Blinken walking with a man in a Haitian military uniform

JD Vance’s Slanders Are Far From the Worst Thing the US Has Done to Haitians JD Vance’s Slanders Are Far From the Worst Thing the US Has Done to Haitians

After years of strenuously ignoring the country's agony, Secretary of State Antony Blinken finally visited Haiti last week. For five hours.

Sep 11, 2024 / Amy Wilentz

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