The Thread
Where policy, equity, and culture come together
America Turns 250, and Confidence in Democracy Is Shaky
What Comes After the Epstein Files: A Q&A with Atossa Araxia Abrahamian
The SAVE Act Is the Wrong Way to ‘Nationalize’ Elections. There’s a Better One.
In a Well-Being Economy, Time Isn’t Money—It’s Care
Editor’s Picks
The Cost of Beauty: Inside the Broken Promise of Cosmetology School
The Dilemma of Jury Duty in Trump and Jeanine Pirro’s DC
How Netflix’s ‘A House of Dynamite’ Might Change Our Thinking on Nuclear War
On-Screen Representation Means More Than Just Identity. It’s ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Context.
How to Protect Your Privacy Online: Five Tips from Tech Policy Experts
Is Trump Really a Fascist? Examining the Controversial Claim
The Latest
The Last Arena: How Sports Are Shaping the Future of Media—A Look Ahead to Super Bowl LIX
Andrés Martinez examines how the NFL’s TV and streaming dominance is reshaping media’s future through live sports.
The Groundhog Day of American Politics: How the Two-Party Doom Loop Fuels Stalemates and Polarization
Lee Drutman explores how the U.S. political system feels like an endless cycle and how we can break free with proportional representation.
Paid Leave in 2025: Three Crucial Battlegrounds for Working People and Families
Vicki Shabo offers a peek at what’s ahead for paid leave in 2025, highlighting three key areas to watch in an unpredictable year.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Misguided Bet on Trump to Save the City’s Economy
Mayor Bowser looks to Trump for DC’s revival, but Alex Anacki argues its residents, not return-to-work policies, hold the city’s potential.
A World Without Faces: Understanding Face Blindness and Its Impact
Jeff Kleeman shares his journey with prosopagnosia, or face blindness, & why early detection matters to support children with the condition.
How Student Loan Debt Impacts All Ages and What ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Administration Can Do
Tia Caldwell examines the growing burden of student loan debt on borrowers and the future of debt under another Trump administration.
Carl the Raccoon and the Power of Inclusive Education for the Next Generation
Carrie Gillispie explores how Carl the Raccoon, an autistic character on PBS Kids, champions disability inclusion for a brighter future.
The Future of Our Climate: How Political Complacency is Fueling Catastrophe
Riley Rogerson explores how climate complacency and inaction are worsening disasters, urging immediate action to confront the crisis.
¹ú²úÊÓƵ Return: Six Key Takeaways from the 2024 Presidential Election
After a close race, Donald Trump secures a surprising victory. The Political Reform team shares key takeaways from this historic moment.
Is Trump Really a Fascist? Examining the Controversial Claim
Drawing on Robert Paxton’s Anatomy of Fascism, Peter Bergen puts forward a checklist for identifying fascists—and puts Trump to the test.