American Support for Israel Is a Political Religion
What makes the relationship between the U.S. and Israel unique, one that can’t be captured by ordinary frameworks? It’s as if the two states were a single entity — “AmericaIsrael” — functioning like an article of faith and producing its own heretics.
The Russian Ascetic Who Reached for Immortality
The driving force behind transhumanism — the idea that technological advancements will help us achieve immortality — may be the tech billionaires of Silicon Valley, but its genesis lies in the little hovel of a 19th-century Russian ascetic who had a new vision of eternity.
Trump’s ‘Chipocalypse Now’ Meme Sends a Message With Deep Historical Roots
Trump’s meme declaring war on Chicago has shocked liberals. But what could be more purgative, more exhilaratingly American to his base than avenging the nation with racial warfare?
Chasing the American Dream Under Trump
A family from China’s eastern Jiangsu province risked all to come to America, flying across the world and traversing the dangerous Darien Gap before crossing the U.S. border and seeking asylum. Despite the anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration, the family is now focused on building a new life.
Sufism Endures in Lebanon’s Marginalized North
While Sufi practices in Lebanon’s cities have dwindled under pressure from Salafists, rural Akkar remains a bastion of mysticism. Across its villages, Sufi congregations host centuries-old “zikr” prayer ceremonies that center on music, dance and joy.