Ideas

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a photo of a synagogue and the author with her family — Illustration / The Atlantic. Sources: Emil Lippe / Getty; Angela Buchdahl.

The Rabbi Who Negotiated With the Terrorist

What I learned about my faith from a hostage crisis at a Texas synagogue

Angela Buchdahl

October 12, 2025

Illustration of the TikTok icon wrapped up in a yellow bow like a gift — Illustration by Ben Kothe / The Atlantic

Trump’s Dodgy Plan for TikTok

The details are murky, but it looks like the president is about to further enrich and empower his friends.

October 11, 2025

tumbling beakers — Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic

How Are We Still Fighting About Obamacare?

The ACA worked, but nobody seems to know it.

October 10, 2025

Black and white photograph of New York Attorney General Letitia James speaking behind a podium — Michael M. Santiago / Getty

Trump’s Revenge Tour

The president is getting the indictments he wants, but the next phase will be much harder.

October 10, 2025

Donald Trump — Win McNamee / Getty

Trump’s Great Achievement

If the president succeeds in ending the Gaza war, he will deserve a gala night in Oslo.

October 10, 2025

María Corina Machado — Maxwell Briceno / Reuters

Why María Corina Machado Deserved the Nobel Peace Prize

The Venezuelan opposition leader shows why participation matters.

October 10, 2025

Antique illustrated engraving of a long-bearded man in a hat sleeping among the brush. — Ken Welsh / Design Pics / Universal Images Group / Getty

Wake Up, Rip Van Winkle

Washington Irving’s story isn’t just about a very long nap. It’s about the making of America.

October 10, 2025

Graphic illustration with collage of a color portrait of Lincoln (left), a black-and-white portrait of George Washington on horse (right), and a detail of a book excerpt of Lincoln's Lyceum Address (center). — Illustration by Jonelle Afurong. Sources: Library of Congress; VCG Wilson / Corbis / Getty; Pierce Archive / Buyenlarge / Getty.

The Lincoln Way

How he used America’s past to rescue its future

October 10, 2025

black-and-white illustration of man in colonial-period clothing with cane and scroll giving a speech on a stage with a modern crowd looking on — Illustration by Matt Huynh

What Is Colonial Williamsburg For?

Telling the full story of the town’s past is an easy way to make a lot of people mad.

October 10, 2025

black-and-white illustration of colonial American man standing in large room with portraits on wall and desk, wearing hat, coat, and breeches with cane, looking at his distorted reflection in a fun-house mirror — Illustration by Nicolás Ortega. Source: Library Of Congress.

What the Founders Would Say Now

They might be surprised that the republic exists at all.

Fintan O’Toole

October 10, 2025