Opinions
Facing tough midterm elections, Democrats want a year of achievements
Staring at midterm elections that could cost them control of Congress, Democrats are trying to sculpt a 2022 legislative agenda that would generate achievements and reassure voters that they’re addressing pocketbook problems and can govern competently. Last year, President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats notched two massive accomplishments: a $1.9… Read
How vaccine misinformation left children vulnerable to Omicron
The COVID-19 pandemic took a deadly toll on adults in the United States for two years while largely sparing children from the dire statistics. But the rapid spread of the Omicron variant led to record pediatric infections and hospitalizations in the country, and anti-vaccination misinformation that tells parents the shots… Read
How the pandemic's unequal toll on people of color underlines U.S. health inequities
From the earliest days of the pandemic, COVID-19 has wrought a far higher toll in communities of color than in the general population – thrusting the long-standing issue of health disparities in the U.S. into the attention of public health officials and the general public. Even though non-Hispanic white people… Read
Fact-checking may be important, but it won't help Americans learn to disagree better
Entering the new year, Americans are increasingly divided. They clash not only over differing opinions on COVID-19 risk or abortion, but basic facts like election counts and whether vaccines work. Surveying rising political antagonism, journalist George Packer recently wondered in The Atlantic, “Are we doomed?” It is common to blame… Read
How Japan has been shaped by Shinzo Abe
Cards straight up on the table : "The Abe Legacy" is instant history at its best. It will prove invaluable for lecturers, students suddenly faced with urgent essay deadlines and those simply curious about the man who for so long ruled Japan and is said to be still as active as ever half-hidden behind… Read
After Biden's first year, the virus and disunity rage on
From the inaugural platform, President Joe Biden saw American sickness on two fronts — a disease of the national spirit and the one from the rampaging coronavirus — and he saw hope, because leaders always must see that. “End this uncivil war,” he implored Americans on Jan 20, 2021. Of… Read
Civil war in U.S. unlikely because grievances don't necessarily translate directly into violence
The potential for violent extremism in America to erupt into full-fledged conflict across the country is a common topic of discussion nowadays. A recent FBI report highlights an increasing risk of violence against government institutions, private organizations and individuals. The possible perpetrators: primarily “lone wolves,” but potentially also militias and… Read
In vaccination battles, pro athletes become proxy players
The pandemic-era saga of tennis star Novak Djokovic in Australia is but one of many: Pro athletes who have refused to be vaccinated have been put at center court in a larger contest — as famous faces who are becoming proxy players in the accelerating worldwide cultural battles over COVID… Read
How targeted advertising on social media drives people to extremes
Have you had the experience of looking at some product online and then seeing ads for it all over your social media feed? Far from coincidence, these instances of eerily accurate advertising provide glimpses into the behind-the-scenes mechanisms that feed an item you search for on Google, “like” on social… Read
Still plenty of questions for Djokovic to answer
Regardless of how the whole “an unvaccinated Novak Djokovic goes to Australia” saga concludes — and, despite a favorable court ruling Monday, his status was still up in the air — there are plenty of key questions for the top-ranked tennis player to answer. For starters: —Why didn’t he get COVID-19 shots?… Read
