politics
The Mamdani Moment
In the final weeks of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign, it became clear the 33-year-old democratic socialist was poised for victory. Yet when he defied the poll leads of rival Andrew Cuomo and won just 90 minutes after voting closed, he stunned New York — and U.S. — politics.
The South Asian Split
New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has won backing from several South Asian groups, but the community remains split. Some applaud his progressive agenda, others worry about rent freezes fostering dependence and many haven’t even heard of his campaign, revealing both his reach and its limits.
The Left-Wing Activists Who Want to Change American Politics
The Democratic Socialists of America hope to parlay the latest “Trump bump” into a national movement, and maybe even launch a viable alternative party. But the organization faces serious challenges — both ideological and practical — that may hinder its ability to capitalize on the moment, and possibly threaten its very existence.
Nepal Debates a Return to Monarchy
Two decades after becoming a democratic republic, Nepal is experiencing renewed calls for the return of the monarchy, along with demands to restore a Hindu state. Dissatisfaction with political corruption, economic shocks and a perceived lack of effective governance have led to multiple protests in the capital of Kathmandu.
How De-Banking Became a Conservative Rallying Cry
Without cause or recourse, banks in the U.S. and abroad abruptly close individual, business and nonprofit accounts. To hear conservatives tell it, de-banking is part of a culture war against the right. But the truth is that it threatens Americans across the political spectrum.
The Limits of a Liberal Understanding of the State
Can liberalism understand — and counter — strongman politics? In the wake of Trump’s reelection, the Egyptian writer Mahmoud Hadhoud spoke to the American legal theorist Paul Kahn in search of lessons for the Arab world.
Contemporary Fiction’s Responses to a Changing India
In recent years, several contemporary Indian novelists have written in direct response to ongoing sociopolitical changes in India and painted an intricate picture of what it means to be young and disenchanted in a deeply polarized country.