Julia Ioffe • March 19, 2026

The Quiet Americans

Republican veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan used to be among the most vocal critics of new military adventures in the Middle East. Democratic Rep. Jason Crow, a veteran himself, wonders where they all went.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 18, 2026

Markwayne’s World

A combative, law-and-order Trump loyalist with a steep learning curve on policy, Markwayne Mullin has leveraged his relationship with the president to rise from Oklahoma backbencher to Kristi Noem’s likely successor as secretary of Homeland Security.

Peter Hamby • March 17, 2026

Weapons of Mass Deception

Trump’s war in Iran is unpopular with the public, but exclusive new polling, produced in partnership with Echelon Insights, reveals that Americans find some rationales more convincing than others—and that MAGA remains mostly behind Trump, even if almost nobody likes Pete Hegseth.

Abby Livingston • March 16, 2026

Children of the Cornyn

Senator John Cornyn is fighting for his life in the Texas Republican runoff against a deeply flawed opponent. He’s also a symbol of what ails his party in the Trump era—and a cautionary tale for why money can’t fix everything.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 15, 2026

Dire Straits

On Capitol Hill, Republicans are projecting a united front in support of Trump’s war. But many of them fear rising gas prices in Peoria, not to mention dwindling munitions. And a number of them are trying to walk a line between supporting Trump and declaring mission accomplished.

Julia Ioffe • March 12, 2026

Elbridge Over Troubled Waters

How Elbridge Colby, a longtime critic of military adventurism in the Middle East, contorted himself into a champion of Trump’s war in Iran—and became Congress’s new favorite whipping boy in the process.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 11, 2026

Katie Miller’s Solar Express

Renewable energy industry types are wondering why Stephen Miller’s wife seems to have developed a sudden interest in their field. Not that they’re complaining.

Peter Hamby • March 10, 2026

“This Ain’t No Game, Bro”: Gen Z Crashes Out Over Trump’s Iran War

An innovative new survey, conducted this week, finds that young men are overwhelmingly opposed to Trump attacking Iran, frustrated that the government is ignoring their economic needs, and terrified that the “no new wars” candidate will send them off to die overseas.

John Heilemann • March 9, 2026

“It’s Amateur Hour”: Mark Kelly Rips Trump & Hegseth on Iran

The Arizona senator, retired naval aviator, and potential ’28 contender denounces the strategic incoherence of Trump’s latest regime-change adventure and explains why the Venezuela model does not apply in Iran.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 8, 2026

The Dems Prepare to Stop the ’26 Steal

With Trump allies floating ideas ranging from strict voter ID mandates to declaring a national emergency to seize control of elections, Democrats are preparing for what they fear could be unprecedented federal intervention in the midterms.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 5, 2026

D.H.S. Regime Change & The Cruz–Hegseth War

News and notes on the defenestration of Kristi Noem, Ted Cruz’s beef with Pete Hegseth, and the self-deportation of Senator Steve Daines.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 4, 2026

J.D. Vance’s Private War

Everyone in town is talking about the latest oscillations of J.D. Vance, who once praised his boss’s decision to eschew unnecessary foreign conflicts before going all in on Yemen, Venezuela, and now Iran. Can he talk his way out of it before ’28?

Peter Hamby & Abby Livingston • March 3, 2026

Tuesday Night Lights

Everything you need to know about the Republican and Democratic Senate primaries in Texas, pitting incumbent John Cornyn against scandal-plagued attorney Ken Paxton, and spitfire Rep. Jasmine Crockett against the Bible-slinging progressive James Talarico.

Peter Hamby • March 2, 2026

Gavin on J.D.’s Dark Side, Clavicular & The Real Trump

The popular California governor and early presidential frontrunner opens up about the crisis of masculinity facing young boys, his personal relationship with Trump, California’s original sin, and why he’s scared of J.D. Vance.

Julia Ioffe • March 1, 2026

Is Trump Headed for an Iran Quagmire?

Trump is once again betting that overwhelming military force won’t trigger a prolonged war involving U.S. troops. But history offers cautionary tales after the euphoria of a dictator’s fall.