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: Elections in Brazil and Serbia show us that democracy can be surprising

By Elizabeth Shackelford

October 30, 2026 at 10:48 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...

Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, second from left, talks with members of the Chicago City Council's Office of Financial Analysis before moderating a discussion on the city's budget gap, during a public meeting at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Aug. 19, 2025. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

David Greising: Chicago aldermen would be wise to strengthen the council’s Office of Financial Analysis

By David Greising

January 16, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago faces a projected $1.17 billion budget gap for 2027. There is work to be...

A young Bears fan wears a cheese grater hat while watching players warm up before facing the Packers on Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Heidi Stevens: The joy from the Chicago Bears’ run is about more than football. It’s remembering what we share.

By Heidi Stevens

January 16, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Sports — along with art, books and nature — are not just distractions; they’re paths...

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 7, 2025, ahead of celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during the World War II. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

Daniel DePetris: Venezuela has been introduced to supposed ally Vladimir Putin’s fickle side

By Daniel DePetris

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

This isn’t the first time Russia chose to sit on the sidelines as one of...

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a House GOP member retreat at the Kennedy Center in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2026. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Clarence Page: Guess who fears impeachment? A guy who’s been through it twice.

By Clarence Page

January 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

President Donald Trump is showing concern about the possibility of an impeachment if the GOP...

Paintings by Bruce Goff in the exhibition "Bruce Goff: Material Worlds" the Art Institute of Chicago, Jan. 9, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Edward Keegan: Bruce Goff was not your typical architect

By Edward Keegan

January 13, 2026 at 1:22 p.m.

Providing context for the idiosyncratic work of architect Bruce Goff isn’t easy. The Art Institute's...

Dr. Jasmine Saavedra, medical director of pediatrics, examines 10-month-old Renata Garcia as she sits on am exam table near her mother Lety Ixquereu at the Esperanza Health Centers Brighton Park North Clinic on Dec. 31, 2025. Ixquereu brought her daughter in for her second flu shot and for a checkup because Renata was diagnosed with the flu last visit to the health center and she might have an ear infection, a possible complication from the flu. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Heidi Stevens: Stripping science from vaccine schedule chips away the dream of a better future for our children

By Heidi Stevens

January 9, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

I fear that skepticism and scorn have been elevated to the upper echelons of power,...

A demonstrator stands next to banners during an anti-Donald Trump protest at Plaza de Bolivar square on Jan. 7, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia. After Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured on Jan. 3 by U.S. forces, Gustavo Petro convened Colombians to protest against the Trump administration and to defend Colombia' sovereignty, as both governments have exchanged hostile messages since Trump began his second term as U.S. president. (Andres Rot/Getty)

Elizabeth Shackelford: The United States is better off as a global power than a global bully

By Elizabeth Shackelford

January 9, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Trump administration has consistently denounced this international order. We are not going to like...

President Donald Trump looks on as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 3, 2026. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)

Steve Chapman: The lawless president launches a lawless war

By Steve Chapman

January 7, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

What sets Donald Trump's second presidency apart is his refusal to let any laws, domestic...

Birds fly past a giant banner with the image of President Donald Trump on the U.S. Department of Labor building on Jan. 5, 2026, in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)

Daniel DePetris: Donald Trump wants to be the emperor of Latin America

By Daniel DePetris

January 6, 2026 at 11:12 a.m.

What happened in Venezuela over the weekend is the most dramatic illustration of Donald Trump's plan...

Activists protest federal agents Sept. 30, 2025, in Chicago on North Michigan Avenue. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Laura Washington: Political goings-on in 2025 reflect anything but comity

By Laura Washington

December 31, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Donald Trump and Mayor Brandon Johnson ensured this departing year has been like no other.

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