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photo illustration of a Chinese aircraft superimposed over soldiers on a battlefield — Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Taiwan's Defence Ministry Handout / Anadolu / Getty; Scott Olson / Getty.

The U.S. Is on Track to Lose a War With China

Modern warfare is decided by production capacity and technological mastery, not by individual valor.

Phillips Payson O’Brien

October 28, 2025

Illustration by Paul Spella. Source: Douglas Sacha / Getty.

President for Life

Donald Trump is trying to amass the powers of a king.

J. Michael Luttig

October 28, 2025

An illustration of a red, white, and blue "VOTE" poster with a tear down its center. — Illustration by Carl Godfrey

Donald Trump’s Plan to Subvert the Midterms Is Already Under Way

Our election system is reaching a breaking point.

David A. Graham

October 28, 2025

Collage of a red-tinted photograph of Kathryn Bigelow, the Pentagon building seen from above, and a vertical stream of smoke. — Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: U.S. Army Air Corps; Gilbert Flores / Variety / Getty.

The Military’s Missile-Defense System Cannot Be as Good as It Says

Kathryn Bigelow’s new movie, A House of Dynamite, is more accurate on this point than the Defense Department itself.

October 27, 2025

photo illustration showing a pixellated image of the Pentagon — The Atlantic. Source: Bill Clark / Getty.

The Pentagon’s Preferred Propaganda Model

The Trump administration is trying to muddle reality—and create apathy.

October 27, 2025

A black and white static-y image of an execution chamber — Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Michael Macor / The San Francisco Chronicle / Getty.

Donald Trump Dreams of More Executions

The president and the Republican Party are bringing capital punishment back to the forefront of American criminal justice.

Elizabeth Bruenig

October 27, 2025

A football breaking a computer screen — Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic

The Company Making a Mockery of State Gambling Bans

Thanks to Kalshi, a so-called prediction market, sports betting is now legal everywhere—even where it isn’t.

October 26, 2025

An animation of hands playing a piano keyboard that turns into a computer keyboard. — Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic

The Age of De-Skilling

Will AI stretch our minds—or stunt them?

Kwame Anthony Appiah

October 26, 2025

Illustration of a robot standing behind the illuminated Hollywood sign at night — Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic

Tilly Norwood Is Not Ready for Its Closeup

AI is still too nascent to be a savvy investment or an existential threat, at least for now.

October 25, 2025

Illustration of a dollar bill slicing a basketball in half — Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic

Sports Can’t Survive Prop Bets

As long as one player can fix the outcome of a wager, the temptation will prove irresistible to some athletes.

Keith O’Brien

October 24, 2025