Category Archives: Politics

THE NEW YORK TIMES – WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 2026

Trump Approval Hits New Low Two Weeks Before Midterms, Poll Finds

Likely voters favored Democratic candidates over Republicans by 11 percentage points in their congressional district, a New York Times/Siena poll found.

Why Palestinians Hope Israelis Will Oust Netanyahu in Pivotal Election

Many in Gaza and the West Bank are desperate to avoid more years of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, which has made life close to unbearable.

Russia Frees American Prisoner and a U.S. Envoy Calls Putin a ‘Humanitarian’

The move to release a man held for over four years on what the U.S. called fabricated charges buys good will with President Trump while costing Vladimir Putin little.

A Billionaire Wanted a Pardon. His Family Gave a Trump Confidante a $50 Million Deal.

A prominent Venezuelan was seeking clemency. He got it not long after his daughter gave Alina Habba, a lawyer close to President Trump, a lucrative job.

Australian Politicians Were Already on Edge Before One of Their Own Was Attacked

Much remains unclear about why a driver ran a car into Helen Haines, a lawmaker. Even so, fellow representatives, especially women, spoke of feeling threatened in a polarized atmosphere.

A.I. Election Videos Are Flooding Brazil. Could They Sway the Vote?

Brazil spent years targeting electoral lies on the internet. Now, artificial intelligence is stumping the election authorities and reshaping a high-stakes race.

THE HUMANIST MAGAZINE FALL 2026 PREVIEW

THE HUMANIST MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘THE ELECTORAL THEOLOGY OF TRUMPISM’…

The Electoral Theology of Trumpism

How White Evangelical Voters Made Trump’s Victory Possible—and Helped Legitimize Government by Certainty by Gordon Gamm

Donald Trump’s 2024 victory depended heavily on White evangelical or born-again Christian voters. National exit polling estimated that they constituted approximately 23 percent of voters and supported Trump over Kamala Harris by 82 percent to 17 percent.¹ Trump won the national popular vote by only about 1.5 percentage points—49.81 percent to Harris’s 48.34 percent.²

No One Should Be Without Fellowship

At the foot of burning Mount Doom, Samwise the gardener kneels beside his friend, Frodo, who can no longer walk. Frodo has been carrying a great weight– the One Ruling Ring, which grows heavier with every step. As Sam watches his friend press onward at a crawl, he knows he…

More than Algorithms

This piece was awarded first place in the Humanists of Greater Portland’s annual essay contest for high school seniors seeking funding for post-high school education.  Every day reminds me how much we rely on tiny lines…

An Intimate Look at the Life of Thomas Jefferson in This Anniversary Year

by Robert Louis Semes • 20 October 2026

“Being Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History” by Andrew Burstein

Over a long life encompassed by countless books while a student, professor or a researcher, it is only “once in a blue moon,” this reviewer encountered a magnificent book. One such is Andrew Burstein’s latest, “Being Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History.” I can only sing praises of this monograph. I had difficulty putting it down. This poignant book is a must read for those wishing to learn more about the author of several significant achievements that still ring the cause of freedom in the United States of America. Particularly in this 250th anniversary year of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, “well-armed with pulsating phrases,” one should spend time getting reacquainted with this man of particular talent and devotion to the cause of liberty. It is also the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s death. Between these two anniversaries lie a testament to greatness, and devotion to his country. There are numerous history book offerings in this anniversary year, but surely this book stands apart from many others.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MAGAZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘THE DELUSIONS OF AMERICAN POWER’….

The Limits of American Power

U.S. Strategy and the Delusion of Force By William H. McRaven

The war in Iran is far from the first time that U.S. policymakers have failed to appreciate the limits of American power. But the Trump administration’s use of military force against the Islamic Republic since February 28 offers a particularly glaring example of a mistake that has often characterized American strategy in recent decades. The war was launched without a clear rationale and with a constantly shifting set of objectives—from changing Tehran’s regime and squelching its nuclear ambitions to, more recently, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which wasn’t closed until the war started. The results, not surprisingly, have been bad both for U.S. interests and for the Middle East.

The Fog of Tech

Why the Future of War Can’t Escape the Past By Mara Karlin

China’s Long Twilight

Demographic Decline, Political Paralysis, and the Fate of Great Powers By Carl Minzner

The Chokepoint Trap

How the Search for Economic Security Will End in Geopolitical Calamity By Henry Farrell, Abraham Newman, and Yeling Tan

The Case for Economic Espionage

America Should Spy On Foreign Companies to Help Its Own By David S. Cohen

Empires of AI

The Rise and Fall of a New Global Order By Niall Ferguson, Lisa Klaassen, and Eric Schmidt

THE NEW YORK TIMES – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026

Trump’s Push for Deals With Russia Powers His Frustration With Ukraine

The series of recent steps by the president that seem to favor Vladimir Putin reflect his intensifying desire to normalize the relationship with Moscow even if it means further undercutting Ukraine.

Taunting Trump Over Gas Prices, Iran Braces for Aftermath of U.S. Vote

The midterm elections appear to be a factor for both sides in the war as President Trump weighs his next steps.

France to Extend Curfews After a Night of Calm, Prime Minister Says

The restrictions are part of a state effort to reassert control after the country’s largest riots in years, as those arrested in the chaos face expedited trials.

It’s Not Just France. Europe’s Political Center Is Crumbling.

Europe’s centrist parties are losing ground among young people and workers, who are increasingly tempted by populist promises of radical change.

Rubio Visits India to Boost Economic Ties Amid New Delhi’s Friction With Trump

The secretary of state will meet with Asia’s richest men as Washington seeks a trade deal.

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE – OCTOBER 26, 2026 PREVIEW

The Knicks lean in for a huddle break at the beginning of a new season.

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE: The latest issue cover features Mark Ulriksen’s “Make It Two” – Game on.

The Danger of Getting Too Close to a Source

Richard Darman was my source in the Reagan and Bush Administrations—and my best friend. By Bob Woodward

Computer Chips Are the Most Magnificent Things Humanity Has Ever Made

They power our phones, cars, dishwashers—and the A.I. systems that prop up the economy. They’re also at the heart of fierce geopolitical rivalry. By Gideon Lewis-Kraus

The New Age of Reading

Alarm about declining interest in books is perpetual. But, as bookselling reaches unexpected heights, James Daunt, the chief executive of Barnes & Noble, thinks a different future is at hand. By Nathan Heller

Facing the Death Penalty

The cases of Christa Pike and Nidal Hasan show how vanishingly fine the line is between a routine execution and an unbearable one. By Amy Davidson Sorkin

THE NEW YORK TIMES – MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026

France’s Far Right Seizes the Moment as Rioting Stuns the Country

The National Rally, already ahead in the polls, presented itself as the party best placed to restore law and order.

Republicans in Ohio Are Worried About Turnout. Here’s What They’re Doing.

To boost Senator Jon Husted, who is in a tight race to keep his seat, some Republicans who were making a jobs pitch have pivoted to focus on socialism.

Who’s Winning the Race for Congress?

With just over two weeks to go until the midterm elections, it’s triage season for Republicans.

Trump Defends Plans to Ease Russia Sanctions and Hints at a Hostage Deal

President Trump justified his reversal after almost five years of sanctions against Russia as part of peace negotiations. He did not name any hostage.

Under Siege, Ukraine Uses F-16s to Shoot Down Russia’s Jet-Powered Drones

The fighters are a key tool against Moscow’s latest weapon of choice. But deploying the multimillion-dollar planes to counter drones is an imperfect fix.

For Israelis and Jews in the U.A.E., an Eroding Sense of Security

The Emirates’ reputation as a haven was shaken by what the authorities said was a plot last month aimed at crashing a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

The Coverup: How a Trillion-Dollar Industry Launders Illegal Gold

The line between dirty and clean gold is an industry fiction. Wall Street and governments profit off gold from criminals, gangsters and those who exploit children.

1h agoBy Justin Scheck and Lynsey Addario

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026

France Reels After Largest Riots in Years

Centrist and leftist leaders blamed each other after anti-government protests devolved into chaos.

Egypt’s Defense Chiefs Pledge to Support Saudi Arabia After Houthi Attacks

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had called on Egyptian lawmakers to authorize military assistance to the kingdom, saying any support would be defensive.

Why the Future of the Amazon Could Depend on Brazil’s Election

Flávio Bolsonaro, the front runner in this month’s presidential runoff, is a strong advocate of environmental deregulation who has backed policies that scientists say could hurt the rainforest.

O.J. Simpson, a Secret Informant and a Decades-Old Mystery

An “extremely reliable” informant told authorities about the missing murder weapon, according to newly unsealed records. The informant’s brother told The Times his sibling was at the crime scene.

The Economic Trends That Could Determine the Midterm Outcome

Inflation is high, consumer spending is strong and seemingly everything depends on what happens with artificial intelligence.

4 Takeaways From a Voting-Focused ‘No Kings’ Day

AMERICAN HERITAGE MAGAZINE – FALL 2026

AMERICAN HERITAGE MAGAZINE: The Fall 2026 issue of American Heritage magazine features articles that address historic debates and legacies, including new evidence regarding whether Alexander Graham Bell stole the telephone patent from Elisha Gray, an ancestor’s account of Admiral Cockburn burning Washington while freeing 6,000 slaves, a guide to Southeast historic sites evaluating the complex democratic and brutal legacy of Andrew Jackson, an analysis of perceived ambiguities in the 22nd Amendment regarding presidential term limits, and the story of Maggie Walker, the first Black woman to open a bank to help underserved individuals.

Did Bell Steal the Telephone?

New evidence finally settles the 150-year-old debate as to whether Alexander Graham Bell or Elisha Gray first invented the telephone. Benjamin Lathrop Brown

The Truth About the Telephone Invention

Some writers ignore a mountain of evidence contrary to their theories about the telephone’s development. Edwin S. Grosvenor

How We Burned Washington

In 1814, my ancestor Admiral Cockburn destroyed the Nation’s Capital. He also freed some 6,000 slaves. Andrew Cockburn

Searching for Andrew Jackson

Museums and historic sites across the Southeast help us better understand Andrew Jackson, who helped define American democracy but also championed the brutal treatment of indigenous peoples. Beverly Gage

Third Term for a President?

Some observers see ambiguity in the 22nd Amendment. Joseph Connor

Maggie Walker, Banker to the People

Maggie Walker, the first Black woman to open a bank, helped thousands of individuals who could not borrow from traditional lenders. Norah O’Donnell, Kate Brower Andersen

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026

This Is the Kill Zone

The front line in Ukraine has blurred into a miles-wide wasteland where drones fill the sky and neither side holds firm control.

Trump Signs Order Exempting Russia From Sanctions Law

The move offers another economic lifeline to President Vladimir Putin as the U.S. turns to Russia for help in lowering gas prices.

Hegseth Singled Out in Democrats’ Campaign Attacks for War and High Prices

Cabinet members are seldom major figures in campaigns, but the defense secretary’s forays into politics and his bravado in defense of an unpopular war have made him a target.

2020 Election Conspiracies Shape Federal Preparations for Midterms

Voting rights advocates fear the Trump administration may use the federal government to cast doubt on the election, discourage participation or try to delegitimize results.

The 53-Year-Old in a Suit Who’s the Face of France’s Youth Protests

Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of a working-class suburb near Paris, has been a regular presence at student demonstrations, prompting both applause and condemnation.

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE-OCTOBER 18, 2026

Current cover

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE: The 10.18.26 Issue  features Brooke Jarvis walks across 20 islands near Stockholm on the archipelago trail; Dan Duane processes his father’s death by climbing in Yosemite; Jonathan Gluck goes fly fishing with 10 fellow cancer patients; Blair Braverman writes about an adventurer who set out to cross Canada and only his dogs came back; and more.

Is Anyone Actually in Charge of the Democratic Party? And Does It Matter?

This year’s midterm elections are a test of whether a party can be a success and a failure at the same time.

Processing My Father’s Death by Climbing in His Footsteps

Yosemite is where my father taught me to climb. It’s also where he made a mistake that nearly cost me my life. By Daniel Duane

How ‘Alignment’ Took Over the Worlds of Business and Tech

Whether an A.I. or a human, you’re encouraged to be aligned. How did we get here? By Nitsuh Abebe

How California’s Ultrarich Are Trying to Stop the World’s First Billionaire Tax

Billionaires feel like they “have become piñatas for politicians.” Instead of taking a hit, they’re swinging back. By Michael Steinberger