Why Do We Still Need Humans, Anyway?
The past four decades or so have seen spectacular technological advances that have vastly disrupted industries, brought unimaginable convenience and efficiencies, and scrambled our brains in ways we may come to regret.
Saudi Arabia Should Rescue Israel From Itself
Two decades ago, Saudi Arabia led a broad Arab initiative offering Israel peace with its neighbors in exchange for the return of occupied Arab territories. Israel did not engage with that offer, which came at the height of a bloody Palestinian uprising. Now would be a great time for a new one.
Can the World Nudge Israel Back to Sanity?
Should the United States lower the boom on Israel's new far-right government? Does the democratic world have the leverage, the will or even any right to try to save Israel from itself?
The World That Knew Too Much
The avalanche of criticism about the corrosive impact of social media has tended to focus on the viral spread of lies. But social media—indeed technological progress as a whole—may be harming us no less by revealing the unvarnished truth about ourselves.
Timeout! What Makes American Games So Different?
One of the striking differences between the globally beloved game of soccer (or football if you prefer) and sports popular in the United States is its absence of precision timekeeping.
If Democrats Call This 'Winning,' I'd Hate to See Losing
As 2022 turns to 2024—in election terms—the Democrats are still busy congratulating themselves over not being mauled on Nov. 8. But if they continue winning like this, it'll be a Republican sitting behind the big desk in the Oval Office
Lots of Voting in Israel, but How Much Democracy?
Israel seems set to establish a government led once again by Benjamin Netanyahu and heavily dependent on the country's far right. This dangerous assemblage will claim to be governing in the name of "the people." That claim does not entirely stand up to scrutiny.
How the GOP Got So Close, and What the Dems Can Still Do About It
The Democrats' timidity is doing them no favors. It is a deficiency liberals manifest all around the world, and unless this is fixed authoritarians might come to dominate our era.
It's Not Just the U.S.—Israel Is on the Edge of the Abyss, Too
Americans feeling apocalyptic about the future of their country might be interested to know that there is another democracy hanging by a thread in a November election: Israel's.
Does a Third Term for China's Xi Jinping Mean Danger for Taiwan?
Observers are asking whether Xi Jinping, about to be reappointed to another term as the leader of China, is the new Mao. Some of the accoutrements are there, but the real question is whether he'll become a viler version of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Lesson From Russia: Democracy Doesn't Die in Just Darkness
What do new Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Benjamin Netanyahu, Marine Le Pen, and Donald Trump have in common? All are popular leaders in democratic countries whose supporters are unafraid to support autocrats-in-training.
The Astounding Gluttony of Giants
In the great grab for territory is nothing ever enough? Is it worth sacrificing a single life to add to Russia, India, Pakistan's already huge numbers?
The War in Ukraine Spells the End of Globalization as We Know It
What was once widely seen as a boon for humanity has bred bitter resentments over deindustrialization and an awkward dependence on despotic regimes.