Columns

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...

Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers his budget address Oct. 21, 2026, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

David Greising: The fight over Chicago’s budget is healthy. Now the city needs a charter.

By David Greising

October 23, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

If an independent City Council becomes an expected feature of the budget process, we really...

A new brick apartment building at 2237 W. Roscoe St. in Roscoe Village is seen on Aug. 21, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Edward Keegan: Chicago architects go back to bricks

By Edward Keegan

August 23, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

New brick-faced projects signal an interest in creating Chicago architecture that fits in.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman arrives at a data center event on June 1, 2026, in Saline, Michigan. (Daniel Mears/The Detroit News)

Elizabeth Shackelford: AI should be managed like nuclear weapons

By Elizabeth Shackelford

August 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The AI threat could be even greater than nuclear weapons since agents can operate independent...

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever looks on against the New York Liberty during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Aug. 11, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images/TNS)

Heidi Stevens: Division and discord are the last things the WNBA needs

By Heidi Stevens

August 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As long as we’re mostly talking about transgender people as some kind of sinister threat...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrive for the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., at the Washington National Cathedral on July 28, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Daniel DePetris: Israel can no longer deny the shift in US politics

By Daniel DePetris

August 18, 2026 at 9:05 a.m.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to the U.S. underscores the fact that Israel is no...

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong gestures after speaking during a primary election night watch party on Aug. 11, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

Clarence Page: Unity, and careful messaging, will be key to Democrats’ resurgence

By Clarence Page

August 17, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

If Democrats keep that up and avoid too much infighting, they will be able to...

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch addresses reporters hours after the end of the spring legislative session at the Illinois Capitol on June 1, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

David Greising: Illinois House speaker’s only way out of latest government scandal is through ethics reform

By David Greising

August 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois is once again facing scandal because elected leaders, when handed the opportunity to clean...

Paper goods and other household items fill the First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, where the congregation launched a year-round "Needs Among Us" program to help identify and fill the needs of people within and outside their church community. (Rob Dyer/TNS)

Heidi Stevens: How one church turned the offering plate into an outpouring of community

By Heidi Stevens

August 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

I love the story, and I love the example. I especially love that the program...

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, stands with his family before taking the stage to give a concession speech in a primary race during his election night watch party at the Westin Hotel on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, March 17, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Laura Washington: Illinois and Chicago campaigns defy conventional monied wisdom

By Laura Washington

August 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Elections are being bought and sold by the monied classes, "they" say, but elections in...

From left, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a trilateral defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 7, 2026. (Saudi Press Agency)

Daniel DePetris: The Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkey deal provides the US with an opportunity

By Daniel DePetris

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

Here's why the mutual defense agreement among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey is significant.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official and Democratic Senate candidate, addresses supporters at a primary night watch party at the Majestic Theater in Detroit, in the early morning hours of Aug. 5, 2026. (Nick Hagen/The New York Times)

Clarence Page: Time for Democrats to widen their ‘big tent’

By Clarence Page

August 10, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Democrats shouldn't be afraid to back candidates like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed who take dissenting but...

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