Kai Bird

Contributing Editor

Kai Bird is a Pulitzer Prize winning biographer and the author of a presidential biography of Jimmy Carter, The Outlier, and a Nation contributing editor. He is also the author of a memoir, Crossing Mandelbaum Gate: Coming of Age Between the Arabs and Israelis, 1956-1978, which has just been re-issued by Scribner with a new introduction.

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, United states President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Meacham Begin, celebrate after signing the Camp David Peace Accords in 1978.

Jimmy Carter’s Biographer on the Late President’s Biggest Regret Jimmy Carter’s Biographer on the Late President’s Biggest Regret

Carter summoned Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat to Camp David to make peace, not apartheid, in the Middle East. But the Israeli president broke his promise to freeze settlements.

Jan 9, 2025 / Kai Bird

Victor Navasky in 1962.

Victor Navasky: An Avatar of the American Left, 1932–2023 Victor Navasky: An Avatar of the American Left, 1932–2023

Editor of The Nation, 1978–1995; editorial director and publisher, 1995–2005.

Jan 27, 2023 / Obituary / Kai Bird

Ukrainian soldiers adjust flag

Not Even Nuclear War Will Stop the Fighting in Ukraine Not Even Nuclear War Will Stop the Fighting in Ukraine

Kyiv deserves our economic support and military aid, but not American troops or nuclear ambiguity.

Oct 6, 2022 / Kai Bird for The Nation

Letters Icon

Letters From the November 29/December 6, 2021, Issue Letters From the November 29/December 6, 2021, Issue

Get Carter… A stream called Drowning Creek…

Nov 16, 2021 / Kai Bird and Our Readers

Martin J. Sherwin (1937–2021)

Martin J. Sherwin (1937–2021) Martin J. Sherwin (1937–2021)

In memoriam.

Nov 3, 2021 / Kai Bird

Jimmy Carter

A Letter to Biden From Jimmy Carter’s Biographer A Letter to Biden From Jimmy Carter’s Biographer

Sometimes doing the right thing means not getting reelected.

Jun 3, 2021 / Kai Bird

Fritz Mondale and Decency

Fritz Mondale and Decency Fritz Mondale and Decency

Jimmy Carter thought the vice presidency was a “wasted national asset.” Walter Mondale, who died last week, changed that forever.

Apr 22, 2021 / Kai Bird

The Case for Disengagement in the Middle East

The Case for Disengagement in the Middle East The Case for Disengagement in the Middle East

It is time to walk away and leave the region to its own bad behavior.

Mar 23, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Kai Bird

The Enigma of Bhutan

The Enigma of Bhutan The Enigma of Bhutan

Two decades ago, nearly one-sixth of the population was forcibly expelled. How did King Wangchuck escape any real censure?

Mar 7, 2012 / Feature / Kai Bird

America’s ‘Shah’ in Egypt

America’s ‘Shah’ in Egypt America’s ‘Shah’ in Egypt

How did Hosni Mubarak manage to stay in power for three decades?

Feb 3, 2011 / Kai Bird

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