Ross Barkan

Ross Barkan is a Nation contributing writer. He also writes a column on national politics for The Guardian and is a contributing writer at New York magazine.

Eric Adams at a press conference on September 26, 2024.

Eric Adams Has Been Indicted. What Now? Eric Adams Has Been Indicted. What Now?

The Southern District has indicted New York City’s mayor. But anyone who claims to be certain of the trajectory of the next six months is lying to you.

Sep 26, 2024 / Ross Barkan

Mayor Eric Adams at a Bloomberg Television interview during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 21, 2024.

Is Eric Adams’s Luck About to Run Out? Is Eric Adams’s Luck About to Run Out?

Losing one police commissioner might be merely careless. But losing two—with a number of federal investigations targeting the mayor’s inner circle—has encouraged challengers.

Sep 17, 2024 / Ross Barkan

Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a victory rally at the Tate Modern in London early on July 5, 2024.

A Close-Up View of the UK Election Gave Rise to an Unfamiliar Emotion: Envy A Close-Up View of the UK Election Gave Rise to an Unfamiliar Emotion: Envy

The US left can only dream of Democrats’ having five years ahead of interrupted power—and control of Congress—with the GOP, like the Tories, driven far to the margins for a d...

Jul 15, 2024 / Ross Barkan

Cars move slowly through traffic in midtown Manhattan on June 6, 2024.

Has NY Governor Kathy Hochul Killed Congestion Pricing For Good? Has NY Governor Kathy Hochul Killed Congestion Pricing For Good?

Or just until after the election? Either way, she’s blown a $15 billion hole in the MTA budget, leaving New Yorkers with overcrowded streets, filthy air, and an underfunded subwa...

Jun 11, 2024 / Ross Barkan

National Guard patrol at a subway station in New York on March 6, 2024.

Why Are Armed Troops in NYC Subways? Why Are Armed Troops in NYC Subways?

Kathy Hochul made a grave miscalculation by further militarizing a city she doesn’t live in or understand.

Mar 14, 2024 / Ross Barkan

Representative Jamaal Bowman celebrates the return of Co-op City in the Bronx to his district.

New York's Long Congressional Redistricting Nightmare Finally Comes to an End New York's Long Congressional Redistricting Nightmare Finally Comes to an End

Liberals and leftists hoping for a sure path to retaking the House may be disappointed, but Democrats should still do well. And voters and incumbents each gain valuable clarity.

Mar 4, 2024 / Ross Barkan

Ukrainian soldiers pass by a volunteer bus burning after a Russian drone hit it near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on November 23, 2023.

It’s Time to Negotiate With Russia It’s Time to Negotiate With Russia

Diplomacy will be ugly, but peace must be the ultimate goal.

Dec 21, 2023 / Ross Barkan

Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams, 2021, laughing

Blink and You Missed It: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Was Accused of Sexual Assault—and Nothing Happened Blink and You Missed It: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Was Accused of Sexual Assault—and Nothing Happened

Why the big yawn by the media over this particular allegation against New York’s scandal-surrounded mayor might actually be a sign of mature judgment.

Dec 14, 2023 / Ross Barkan

Fetterman greets Rabbi Myers, Tree of Life

Senator John Fetterman Is a Progressive Icon, a Republican Hate Figure—and a Pro-Israel Pinup Senator John Fetterman Is a Progressive Icon, a Republican Hate Figure—and a Pro-Israel Pinup

The Pennsylvania Democrat has long bucked convention on everything from legalizing marijuana to the Senate dress code. But his views on Israel/Palestine risk alienating his base.

Nov 14, 2023 / Ross Barkan

Writer Jonathan Lethem poses for a photo against a gray background

Jonathan Lethem Returns to the Scene of the Crime Jonathan Lethem Returns to the Scene of the Crime

In his new novel, the bard of Boerum Hill interrogates the brutal truths of gentrification.

Oct 27, 2023 / Ross Barkan

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