Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday after a series of disturbing accusations of sexual misconduct. The scandal had drawn a fierce response from Democrats nationwide as they tried to force him out and keep the fallout contained.  Just days ago, Swalwell was one of the frontrunners in a crowded […]

This story was first featured in the Today, Explained newsletter. Understand the world with a daily explainer plus the most compelling stories of the day. Sign up here. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday after a series of disturbing accusations of sexual misconduct. The scandal had drawn a fierce […]

Viktor Orbán, the European Union’s only autocrat, has fallen. Results from Sunday’s election in Hungary show that the opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, has defeated Orbán’s Fidesz party — the first election the party has lost in 20 years. Orbán called Magyar to concede the race within hours of the polls closing. There […]

The status of American democracy feels paradoxical: somehow both damaged and well-functioning at the same time. On the one hand, the United States has a president who is acting like a dictator: threatening to wipe out an entire civilization, menacing allies with threats to annex their territory, targeting domestic enemies with spurious criminal investigations, and […]

On Explain It Me, we try to give you useful information to help you navigate and understand the world around you. But lately there’s been an elephant in the room: Life feels kind of…bad.  Polling suggests that Americans are unsatisfied with their lives now, and with prospects for the future. It’s understandable why: We’re on […]