The Atlantic

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Kimberly Atkins Stohr of the Boston Globe joined William Brangham to discuss the week in politics. Their discussion covered various topics, including the result of Wisconsin's Democratic primary, the status of 'woke' politics in America, and the stalemate between the U.S. and Iran.

This article announces a full broadcast of 'Washington Week with The Atlantic.' The episode covered content that aired on August 14, 2026.

The article discusses the Justice Department's dropped case against Olympian David Hearn, which was criticized as baseless, and features a conversation about Herbert Hoover's legacy with Margaret Hoover, his great-granddaughter. It also includes a review of John le Carré's spy novel 'The Spy Who Came in From the Cold'.

The US has used up most of its long-range missiles and nearly two-thirds of its Patriot interceptors during the Iran war, raising concerns about military preparedness. The Pentagon's efforts to address shortages are boosting military contractors and startups repurposing components, but production delays may hinder readiness for future conflicts.

Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election with 312 electoral votes but fewer popular votes, with the Republican Party gaining support from the white working class, young voters, and Hispanic voters. However, Trump faces declining personal popularity, with approval ratings at historic lows, and struggles to retain support among key demographic groups like young voters who favored Kamala Harris.

Anthony Fauci returned to Capitol Hill for a Senate hearing where he faced attacks from Republican lawmakers. The hearing was discussed on Washington Week With The Atlantic, with panelists including Stephen Hayes and other journalists analyzing the event.

The article criticizes media outlets like The Atlantic, The Economist, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times for sensationalizing Mexico's cartel violence and making incorrect predictions about increased post-World Cup violence and a 'spiral of violence' after operations against CJNG leader Mencho. It highlights Mexico's 50% drop in homicides this year due to unprecedented U.S.-Mexico cooperation against cartels.

The article highlights the annual migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico, noting their population recovery due to conservation efforts. It also mentions other nature-related stories, including insights on animal play and whale communication.

David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart discuss Todd Blanche's stalled attorney general confirmation, Trump's 'anti-weaponization fund,' turmoil in the Democratic National Committee, and the dropped Reflection Poll vandalism charges.

The article references a full broadcast of 'Washington Week with The Atlantic' from July 31, 2026. The episode is presented as part of the ongoing political discussion series.

Ukraine has requested President Donald Trump to ask Elon Musk to permit Starlink to guide Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russia, aiming to target Russian missile launchers. This comes as Kyiv reports diminishing supplies of Patriot interceptors.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the White House pandemic response for Presidents Trump and Biden, appeared before Congress under subpoena and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights over 100 times. Amna Nawaz discussed the hearing and Fauci's legacy with Katherine Wu, author of an article in The Atlantic.

President Trump announced tariffs targeting 60 economies, including Taiwan, under the guise of combating forced labor. The podcast episode also discusses the Democratic Party's internal conflict between moderates and progressives in Michigan, potential implications for the 2028 election, and critiques of Trump's economic and alliance impacts.

Kash Patel's attorney rejected The Atlantic's motion to dismiss a $250 million defamation lawsuit, accusing the magazine of publishing false claims about Patel's behavior. The Atlantic argues the lawsuit is baseless and seeks to defend its journalism while emphasizing First Amendment protections.

A 2023 survey by psychologist Clay Routledge found 67% of Americans wish to return to a time before smartphones. The article explores tech-focused nostalgia driving retro tech sales and a podcast, 'How to Touch Grass,' discussing strained modern relationships with technology. Listeners express mixed feelings, using terms like 'complicated' and 'indentured' to describe their tech relationships.

President Trump is considering escalation of the conflict with Iran amid growing criticism. Republican lawmakers express frustration over the administration's lack of clarity regarding objectives, timelines, and consequences in Iran. A panel discussion on Washington Week With The Atlantic highlights concerns about funding and unclear war goals.

David Brooks and Ruth Marcus discuss the economic and human toll of the Iran war, a U.S.-Saudi nuclear energy deal, and Trump-allied election deniers winning GOP primaries. The segment is part of a political analysis on the week's events.

Jon Ossoff's political rise is discussed in the context of his 2021 Georgia Senate victory, current reelection race, and emerging speculation about his 2028 presidential potential. The article highlights his ability to craft concise messages and distinct speaking style, as well as Trump's criticism during a rally in Georgia.

Benjamine Spencer, wrongfully convicted of murdering Jay Young's father, was exonerated in 2021 after 34 years in prison. The article explores the emotional toll on both Spencer and Jay Young, highlighting how wrongful convictions create victims on both sides of a crime.

A study found that AI use improved Chinese students' homework scores by 18% but reduced exam results by 20% within six months. Researchers linked this decline to students outsourcing homework to AI tools, which compromised long-term learning outcomes. The study warns of generative AI's negative impact on education despite short-term productivity gains.

Global oil prices exceeded $90 per barrel as the US-Iran conflict intensified, with Iran threatening to block oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz if US aggression continues. A third US soldier was killed, raising the US death toll to 17, while nine nights of strikes have raised concerns about inflation, complicating President Donald Trump’s options for resolving the conflict.

Trump is using claims of foreign election interference to justify his stance, now viewing voters who defeated him as suspects. The Atlantic reported that a February 2020 election-security briefing initially pleased Trump, prompting him to consider announcing election security news, though a press conference never occurred. The election proceeded, and Trump lost.

President Trump's recent speech emphasized concerns about alleged election corruption and foreign interference, though no evidence was provided. Analysts noted that institutions designed to prevent such interference have been systematically dismantled under the Trump administration.

The article references a full broadcast of the program 'Washington Week with The Atlantic' from July 17, 2026. No specific discussion topics or participants are detailed in the provided content.

The article references a full broadcast of the Washington Week with The Atlantic program from July 17, 2026. It provides no additional details about the episode's content or participants.

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW discuss President Trump's repeated false claims about the 2020 election and federal immigration enforcement tactics with Geoff Bennett. The conversation centers on the national political impact of these claims.

Ian Bogost, a contributing writer for The Atlantic, discussed his new book The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life with senior editor Chris Suellentrop. The book argues that modern conveniences like machines and technology have caused societal disconnection and dissatisfaction, suggesting finding joy in everyday tasks.

The article discusses the link between 'The Catcher in the Rye' and high-profile crimes, analyzing how the book influenced real killers. Lily Meyer and Sarah Gleim of The Atlantic explore this connection on the book's 75th anniversary.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio participated in an auto-deleting Signal chat about Yemen war plans with officials, prompting a court case over record-keeping compliance. His office claimed software preserved messages despite auto-deletion settings, but a source revealed Rubio later changed settings to enable message deletion. The State Department affirmed Signal remains approved and compliance measures are in place.

Jeff Flake reflects on the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Jeremy Diamond reports on Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. Rose Horowitch of The Atlantic discusses declining attention spans among young Americans. Doreen Dodgen-Magee shares her connection to combating domestic violence.

The U.S. and Iran are engaged in an escalating conflict, with the U.S. striking over 140 Iranian targets and Iran retaliating by closing the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump declared a cease-fire over, but the conflict shows no sign of resolution, raising concerns about a potential 'forever war.'

Graham Platner withdrew from the Maine Senate race, prompting Democrats to seek a replacement. The party aims to win races in Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Alaska to flip Senate seats, but analysts suggest their strategy may be misaligned. Panelists on Washington Week With The Atlantic discussed concerns Democrats are targeting isolated white male voters who shifted to President Trump.

David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart discuss the fallout from the Maine Senate race with Geoff Bennett. Topics also include President Trump's comments at the NATO summit and Rahm Emanuel's criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

The article references a full broadcast of 'Washington Week with The Atlantic' from July 10, 2026. It does not provide specific details about the episode's content or topics discussed.

Meta paused its Model Capability Initiative, an AI training program tracking employee keystrokes, after data was mistakenly moved to an unauthorized location. CTO Andrew Bosworth stated the error was unintentional, with no breach suspected, but the program was halted for investigation due to concerns over data security and employee backlash.

The article discusses allegations against Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, including reports of unsettling behavior toward women, and explores concerns about misogyny within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, and David Frum analyze the potential impact of such issues on the 2026 midterm elections and broader political dynamics.

President Trump, after returning to office, removed top military officials including Charles 'C.Q.' Brown Jr. and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, with defense secretary Pete Hegseth stating the changes aimed to align the military with a 'color-blind, gender-neutral, merit-based' approach. The article highlights concerns about the administration's rejection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and its impact on Black service members and racial progress in the military.

Mainstream media and pundits accused President Donald Trump of undermining America 250 and Fourth of July celebrations by prioritizing partisan messaging. Articles from The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post criticized Trump for centralizing his political agenda in the events, while commentator Chuck Todd condemned his role in sullying the nation's image.

Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic frontrunner in Michigan after Mallory McMorrow withdrew. The bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act faces criticism for inadequate protection against electricity price hikes linked to datacenters. Carlos Giménez opposes Trump's TPS policy for Haitian migrants, and JD Vance's 2013 essay on Trump was republished by The Atlantic.

Abdul El-Sayed is the leading Democratic candidate in Michigan's primary after Mallory McMorrow withdrew. Consumer advocates criticize the Ratepayer Protection Act for failing to address electricity costs linked to datacenters. Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez opposes ending temporary protected status for Haitian migrants.