Cultural Criticism and Analysis

US Marine

Where Did the Antiwar Movement Go? Where Did the Antiwar Movement Go?

During Vietnam, it felt like the war sat right on America’s doorstep. Today, we’ve largely disengaged from the terror our military commits.

Aug 11, 2015 / Tom Engelhardt

U2 concert

U2 and the Art of Digital Compromise U2 and the Art of Digital Compromise

How social media brought its own set of troubles to U2’s latest tour.

Aug 7, 2015 / David Hajdu

Nagasaki bomb

Death and Destruction in the Wake of Nagasaki Death and Destruction in the Wake of Nagasaki

Five teenagers who survived the atomic bomb recall the early moments of the nuclear age.

Aug 6, 2015 / Susan Southard

Comedians Debate: Is Amy Schumer’s ‘Trainwreck’ Sexist, or the New Feminism?

Comedians Debate: Is Amy Schumer’s ‘Trainwreck’ Sexist, or the New Feminism? Comedians Debate: Is Amy Schumer’s ‘Trainwreck’ Sexist, or the New Feminism?

The feminist comedian and filmmaker is everywhere—and her fans’ expectations are mounting.

Aug 6, 2015 / Katie Halper

Hiroshima

70 Years Later, We Still Haven’t Apologized for Bombing Japan 70 Years Later, We Still Haven’t Apologized for Bombing Japan

We’ve somehow convinced ourselves that Hiroshima was an act of mercy.

Aug 4, 2015 / Christian Appy

John Kerry

Washington Has a New Plan to Tackle Domestic Terrorism and It Probably Won’t Work Washington Has a New Plan to Tackle Domestic Terrorism and It Probably Won’t Work

But enacting gun control laws and investing in support services for America’s children might.

Aug 3, 2015 / Karen J. Greenberg

Paul Beatty (credit: Hannah Assouline)

Paul Beatty’s Savage Satire Paul Beatty’s Savage Satire

The Sellout takes aim at black middle-class foibles and fantasies.

Jul 30, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Jesse McCarthy

1886 Map of the British Empire

From Opium Wars to Darwin’s Finches: A Brief History of Great Britain From Opium Wars to Darwin’s Finches: A Brief History of Great Britain

History has shown us time and time again that we are only human.

Jul 27, 2015 / Eduardo Galeano

ISIS Member with Flag

Did ISIL Arise Partly Because of Climate Change? Did ISIL Arise Partly Because of Climate Change?

Martin O’Malley was ridiculed by the right for correctly noting the role of climate-induced drought in causing Syria’s instability. The bad news is that this is only the beginning.

Jul 24, 2015 / Juan Cole

Irma Selz drawing

My Mother, the American War Hero My Mother, the American War Hero

My mother’s caricatures were more than just drawings—they were a symbol of the civilian mobilization that’s since disappeared from American wars.

Jul 21, 2015 / Tom Engelhardt

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