Washington Monthly
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Screwing heads on straight since 1969. Threads: @wamonthly. Twitter: @Monthly. Newsletter signup @ washingtonmonthly.com
I wrote up some thoughts for @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social about what I learned regarding democracy during my Fulbright visit to South Korea. Check it out: washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/05/w...
What South Koreans Can Teach Us About January 6—and Democracy
When Seoul’s rogue leader tried to impose martial law, the Korean people rushed to their legislature to save their democracy.
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“Democratic Voters Are Boiling Mad at the Democratic Establishment, and It’s Ridiculous” My @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social latest washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/04/d...
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"They just load you up on meds, and then you go straight to the police academy." The vet-to-cop pipeline was already a problem. ICE's hiring surge is making it a crisis.
The Vet-to-Cop Pipeline
Encourage veterans, including those with PTSD and brain injuries, to join law enforcement after they leave the military. What could go wrong?
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The @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social's Summer Reading Roundup, with a contribution by yours truly. washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/02/g...
Get Smart: Our Summer Reading Roundup
Here are some of our editors’ and reviewers’ top picks so far this year for policy and political nonfiction.
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Ken Martin is doing exactly what we sent him to do: invest in the organizing we need to win instead of late-campaign paydays for DC consultants. I write about it today at Washington Monthly: washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/31/t...
Very important piece by @davidoatkins.bsky.social at Washington Monthly: the DNC is actually doing just fine and raising record money, and the hit pieces are a product of a tier of useless DC consultants who don't want their media buy gravy train to end. washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/31/t...
The Case for the DNC’s Ken Martin. Really.
Martin is being excoriated, but he’s taking on the consultant class, building a strong grassroots operation, and raising tons of money.
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Mic drop after mic drop in this piece by @davidoatkins.bsky.social, who has managed to convince me that Martin really is walking the walk on reform. Weak on comms and management? Yup. But also real changes that piss off all the right people. Thus, hit pieces. washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/31/t...
The Case for the DNC’s Ken Martin. Really.
Martin is being excoriated, but he’s taking on the consultant class, building a strong grassroots operation, and raising tons of money.
washingtonmonthly.com
“How Left Will Democrats Go In 2028? That Depends on 2026” My latest for @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/31/d...
How Left Will Democrats Go In 2028? That Depends on 2026
As Democratic primary voters are moving left, the success of progressive candidates in 2026 may determine how far Democrats go in 2028.
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Congress capped funding for residency slots in 1997. Since then, the U.S. has added 70 million people—and barely any new slots. Physician Eric Snoey on the doctor shortage that's here and getting worse:
The Doctor Shortage Is Here—and Getting Worse
America should start treating its physician workforce as the strategic national asset it is before it’s too late.
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I called Barker to ask why her book skips over January 6, despite covering that period extensively. Her answer was telling:
Nate Weisberg@nateweisberg.bsky.social · last wk.In her new book, former Democratic operative Evan Barker exposes progressive follies, but her account of going from Bernie supporter to Trump voter is dazed and confused.
While Trump's official 250th birthday bash turned crass, a subtler tribute opened beneath the Lincoln Memorial. Inside the new Undercroft.
A Better Celebration of America at 250
The new Lincoln Memorial Undercroft museum enshrines America’s highest ideals, however unrealized.
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The bachelor's degree is becoming modular—assembled from pieces instead of delivered as one four-year product. That could mean more opportunity, or a more insidious way of sorting students by class.
The Quiet Redesign of the Bachelor’s Degree
As millions hold some credit but no bachelor’s, lines between community college, high schools, and four-year institutions are blurring.
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Why are Iran and the US still at war? Partly because bridge-builders like Richard Nelson Frye kept getting sidelined by the loudest hawks.
An American’s Unrequited Love for Iran
Historian Richard Nelson Frye devoted his life to Iran and asked to be buried in Isfahan. Hard-liners denied his final wish.
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Tired of vapid political punditry? The Washington Monthly newsletter delivers sharp and substantive political commentary and reporting that helps you better understand what is and—more often—isn’t wor...
washingtonmonthly.com
In her new book, former Democratic operative Evan Barker exposes progressive follies, but her account of going from Bernie supporter to Trump voter is dazed and confused.
Evan Barker’s Magical Mystery Tour
Evan Barker offers a revealing critique of progressives but fails to explain how disillusionment with Democrats led her to vote for Trump.
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“The DSA Platform Would Destroy American Democracy” My @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social look the group’s plan to end the Constitution’s system of checks and balances washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/28/t...
The DSA Platform Would Destroy American Democracy
DSA's vision of a government without three equal branches providing checks and balances would facilitate the whims of an authoritarian.
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Trump's policies are killing business: - Tariffs are costing billions; - Crony capitalism only benefits the few; and - Uncertainty makes planning and investment impossible Finally, some CEOs are stepping up. My latest roundup @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/washingt...
Autocracy Doesn't Pay
Businesses need democracy to thrive, argues Daniella Ballou-Aares, founder of the business coalition Leadership Now. They should step up to defend it.
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Bryan Stevenson on his work, the war on accurate American history, and grace for those consumed by hate.
Bryan Stevenson: “Ignorance Makes You Vulnerable”
The criminal justice advocate and civil rights leader on his work, the war on American history, and grace for those consumed by hate.
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Earlier this month, I was on iHeartRadio talking about my @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social reporting on Gavin Newsom's noble efforts (and failures) on California homelessness. You can hear the convo here.
Gillen Tener Martin on Gavin Newsom’s Approach to Dealing with Homelessness in California - The QR Code | iHeart
<p>Gillen Tener Martin on Gavin Newsom’s Approach to Dealing with Homelessness in California</p><p>See <a href='https://omnystudio.com/listener'>omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p...
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When asked about Israel’s right to exist Abdul El-Sayed routinely rejects the premise & redirects, while noting he backs “self-determination” for all inc. Israeli Jews But that means Israel existing as a Jewish state My @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social latest washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/24/a...
Abdul El-Sayed’s Slippery Argument About Israel’s Right to Exist
El-Sayed says he’s for “self-determination for Palestinians and Jewish Israelis.” But for most Israelis, that means a Jewish state.
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Facing political attack and falling enrollment, colleges take the fight to … each other. @jonmarcusboston.bsky.social of @hechingerreport.org on how competition is intensifying among schools and recruiters for a dwindling pool of students.
Facing Political Attack and Falling Enrollment, Colleges Take the Fight to … Each Other
As Americans have fewer children, competition is intensifying among institutions and recruiters for a dwindling pool of students.
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@washingtonmonthly.bsky.social's review of The Odyssey that made me want to see it. "ideologues ... mugged by reality" "in Nolan’s rewriting of the epic tale, the hero sees the consequences of his actions in ways informed by modern understandings"
Washington Monthly@washingtonmonthly.bsky.social · 2w agoAfter grousing about The Odyssey’s multiracial cast, conservatives’ new complaint is that Christopher Nolan's Odysseus is wracked with guilt. But that moral sensibility is what makes the film a masterpiece—and a blockbuster, writes @glastris.bsky.social
After grousing about The Odyssey’s multiracial cast, conservatives’ new complaint is that Christopher Nolan's Odysseus is wracked with guilt. But that moral sensibility is what makes the film a masterpiece—and a blockbuster, writes @glastris.bsky.social
Why Conservatives Are Losing Their War Against The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s moral sensibility, which conservatives claim to hate, is what makes his Odyssey film a masterpiece—and a blockbuster.
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Conservatives were sure nobody would see Nolan's "woke" Odyssey. But it made back its budget in a weekend, writes @glastris.bsky.social.
Why Conservatives Are Losing Their War Against The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s moral sensibility, which conservatives claim to hate, is what makes his Odyssey film a masterpiece—and a blockbuster.
washingtonmonthly.com
“Jon Ossoff Is Proving Democrats Don’t Need to Punch Left” My @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social latest washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/21/j...
Jon Ossoff Is Proving Democrats Don’t Need to Punch Left
Ossoff from purple Georgia is leading in polls and fundraising without picking on Democratic Party progressives. There’s a lesson there.
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In US, Europe, & the UK, people inplaces where livelihoods are diminished & anxieties about the future high often turn to the politics of scapegoating like that offered by @nigelfarageuk.bsky.social & Reform. @andyburnham.bsky.social can change that. Read via @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social
Andy Burnham’s Challenge
Andy Burnham has built his politics around Britain’s neglected industrial communities. His premiership depends on if he can deliver for them.
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If leaders like @andyburnham.bsky.social can better the lives of working people in "left-behind" communities they can disable right-wing extremist movements! Sorely needed across democracies! Read via @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social @andywestwood.bsky.social washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/20/a...
Andy Burnham’s Challenge
Andy Burnham has built his politics around Britain’s neglected industrial communities. His premiership depends on if he can deliver for them.
washingtonmonthly.com
Britain's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has built his political identity around the country's neglected industrial communities. His premiership will depend on whether he can deliver for them, write Andy Westwood and John Austin.
Andy Burnham’s Challenge
Andy Burnham has built his politics around Britain’s neglected industrial communities. His premiership depends on if he can deliver for them.
washingtonmonthly.com
The ICE agent who killed Johan Guerrero in Maine was an Afghan war vet with a history of domestic violence. The two girls I wrote about in my new @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social piece were killed by a Gulf War vet with a history of rape. #booksky #twentyninepalms washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/15/a...
