'Why were the Democrats sleepwalking?'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
'Why did the Democrats fail to run a serious primary opponent to Biden?'
Harold Meyerson in The American Prospect
Joe Biden has "been an excellent president," says Harold Meyerson in The American Prospect. He got Congress to approve "landmark legislation" on "mitigating the climate crisis" and "restoring the nation's sagging infrastructure." But polls show "even Democratic base voters" give former President Donald Trump higher approval ratings. Why stick with such a weak candidate? Historians might one day ask why so many Democrats were "sleepwalking while the nation clearly teetered on the brink of authoritarian rule."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Hunter Biden's story—and that of his agonized family—is a human one'
Kim Wehle in The Bulwark
Hunter Biden's tax evasion case is an unusual mix of "international business dealings, a lavish lifestyle, massive tax troubles, and a political family," says Kim Wehle in The Bulwark. But it involves scenes "painfully familiar to millions of families struggling with substance abuse, like the story of Joe Biden chasing Hunter down the driveway after a family intervention attempt." Don't forget that the story of Hunter Biden's troubles and his family’s pain "is a human one."
'An affront to free expression'
Shadi Hamid in The Washington Post
"Cancel culture is back," says Shadi Hamid in The Washington Post. Only this time it's the right trying to silence political views on the left. Republican officials and right-wing commentators are using "reprehensible" statements by student groups excusing "Hamas's grisly attacks on Israeli civilians" to "more broadly delegitimize pro-Palestinian sentiments." Republican lawmakers are trying to punish any pro-Palestinian speech, and accusing "anyone who is insufficiently supportive of Israel's war in Gaza with antisemitism."
'Tariffs are a sign of weakness'
Andy Kessler in The Wall Street Journal
Tariffs are all the rage this election cycle, says Andy Kessler in The Wall Street Journal. The Republican presidential front-runner, former President Donald Trump, "has proposed 10% tariffs on all imports," even though U.S. industrial capacity is near an all-time high. The White House says there's a consensus on U.S. "industrial strategy." But tariffs "are for losers." They drive up prices and stifle innovation. The markets, "not vote-buying politicians," should decide how businesses allocate their capital.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.
-
5 highly educational cartoons about student protests
Cartoons Artists take on apolitical camping, the National Guard, and more
By The Week US Published
-
French schools and the scourge of teenage violence
Talking Point Gabriel Attal announces 'bold' intervention to tackle rise in violent incidents
By The Week UK Published
-
On the trail of India’s wild lions at Sasan Gir National Park
The Week Recommends The sanctuary is a 'roaring' conservation success
By The Week UK Published
-
'A financial windfall for Iranian terrorism'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Turkey halts trade with Israel in latest Gaza rift
Speed Read The country plans to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden tackles campus protests, deplores 'chaos'
Speed Read Students have a "right to protest but not a right to cause chaos," the president said
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Xi comes to Europe: what's on the agenda?
The Explainer China's president visiting for first time since 2019, with spotlight on support for Russia over Ukraine and trade tensions with EU
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
US, Saudis near security deal, with or without Israel
Speed Read The historic pact would offer the Saudis security guarantees and could reshape the Middle East
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu's Rafah attack vow snarls truce deal
Speed Read Hours before the truce deal was to be finalized, Netanyahu said Israel will invade Rafah regardless
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published