The Night the Cold War Ended

The Night the Cold War Ended

It was November 9, 1989. I was at the library at Northwestern University, putting the final touches on my first book — which happened to be about Soviet foreign policy. In a mad rush to beat my deadline, I dashed out and dropped the manuscript in the FedEx box just...
Taking Stock of the Money Midterms

Taking Stock of the Money Midterms

The 2014 midterm elections sure looked like a blowout for the Republican Party. But leave it to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to call the real winner: big money. “Incredible night for money in politics!” gushed one of the show’s satirical...
Who Killed Gilberto Soto?

Who Killed Gilberto Soto?

On a November night 25 years ago, six priests — along with their housekeeper and her daughter — were murdered in cold blood by Salvadoran army officers who had invaded their residence at the Jesuit-run Central American University. This month, priests, activists, and...
How Did We Get Here?

How Did We Get Here?

Dick Tuck, the legendary political prankster and wit, once ran for local office in San Francisco and lost. His concession speech, in its entirety: “The people have spoken — the bastards.” Now, you know me — I wouldn’t say anything like that about the...
Blocking the Vote

Blocking the Vote

When she heard that the GOP had nailed a Senate majority, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska grabbed a chair, lifted it over her head and shouted “I’m the chair, maaaaaaan!” The presumptive next chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources...