Columns

Supporters of candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva react to the vote count news on general election day on Oct. 25, 2026, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Alexandre Schneider/Getty)

Elizabeth Shackelford: Democracy can be surprising, as elections around the world show

By Elizabeth Shackelford

October 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Brazil and Serbia proved to the world that, even on an uneven electoral playing field,...

A poster depicts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot, his main rival and leader of the Yashar ("Straight") party, along a pedestrian path on Oct. 26, 2026, in Tel Aviv, Israel, ahead of the country's general election. (David Goldman/AP)

Daniel DePetris: If Israel gets a new prime minister, will anything change?

By Daniel DePetris

October 26, 2026 at 12:42 p.m.

Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger in Israel's elections, Gadi Eisenkot, are more alike than...

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Amy Acton visits with supporters during a campaign event along the Ohio River in Marietta, Ohio, on Sept. 17, 2026. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Clarence Page: Vivek Ramaswamy’s ad in Ohio governor’s race backfires

By Clarence Page

October 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The fracas over a campaign ad from governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy could blow back on...

People gather in support of Ukraine as delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia meet for talks about a potential peace deal at the Intercontinental Hotel on Feb. 17, 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The talks come a week before the fourth anniversary of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine. (Sedat Suna/Getty)

Elizabeth Shackelford: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s self-interested diplomacy in Geneva

By Elizabeth Shackelford

February 20, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

What the U.S. diplomacy duo have in common is huge investment from many of the...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves next to Munich Security Conference Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger, as Rubio gets a standing ovation after his speech at the conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 14, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Daniel DePetris: Europe debates the bomb

By Daniel DePetris

February 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Europeans aren’t as confident about the U.S. nuclear umbrella as they once were.

United States gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor celebrates at the finish after the women's monobob competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 16, 2026. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Heidi Stevens: I cheered when Elana Meyers Taylor won gold. I cheered louder when she thanked her nannies.

By Heidi Stevens

February 18, 2026 at 11:27 a.m.

I love that Elana Meyers Taylor shouted out her nannies alongside her husband and parents...

Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11, 2026, in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty)

Clarence Page: Attorney General Pam Bondi shows loyalty to her audience of one

By Clarence Page

February 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose actions have descended to a low standard, plays to...

The former Michael Reese Hospital site, between a truck marshaling yard and Prairie Shores apartments, on April 26, 2023. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

David Greising: Why the Bears should give serious consideration to building on the former Michael Reese site

By David Greising

February 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

If Gov. JB Pritzker wants to do the most good for Chicago, he could reconsider...

People protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement as they march toward the South Texas Family Residential Center on Jan. 28, 2026, in Dilley, Texas. (Joel Angel Juarez/Getty)

Heidi Stevens: Letters show how a Disney dream vacation became part of America’s immigration nightmare

By Heidi Stevens

February 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

No policy in the world can justify scarring children the way we’re doing in the...

A 760-acre that site on Lake Michigan near Miller Beach and north of I-90 is proposed by the city of Gary as a future Bears stadium option. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Edward Keegan: Will a new Chicago Bears stadium benefit northwest Indiana?

By Edward Keegan

February 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

None of the sites proposed for the Bears create connections between Gary and the city’s...

Protesters who blocked the exits are arrested on Jan. 29, 2026, at the Target store at 1101 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago. A group of protesters refused to leave the store while others blocked the exits, calling for the company to distance itself from federal immigration authorities. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Elizabeth Shackelford: What history tells us about fighting the repression we are seeing here

By Elizabeth Shackelford

February 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Past movements against repressive regimes were met with violence and repression, but gradually concessions were...

Kevin Warsh speaks to the media about his report on transparency at the Bank of England, in London on Dec. 11, 2014. (Alastair Grant/AP)

Steve Chapman: Will Fed pick Kevin Warsh show obeisance to Donald Trump or incur his wrath?

By Steve Chapman

February 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Once he's Fed chair, Kevin Warsh will either carry out Donald Trump’s wishes by slashing...

Drivers wait in a long line to enter a gas station in Havana, Cuba, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Ramon Espinosa/AP)

Daniel DePetris: What kind of deal is the US looking for in Cuba?

By Daniel DePetris

February 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Donald Trump insists the Cuban government will fall on its own volition yet also says...

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