America’s Vigilantes

A Green Beret’s Confession Outraged the Military. Then He Found an Ally in Trump.

The president’s pardon of Mathew Golsteyn cut short an investigation into his killing of a man he believed to be a Taliban bombmaker. Was justice served?

By Matthieu Aikins and Victor J. Blue

America’s Vigilantes

Did a Green Beret Unit Commit One of the Worst U.S. War Crimes in Decades?

In 2012, after a team member was nearly killed, a Special Forces unit went on a rampage that might have been one of the worst war crimes in recent U.S. history.

By Matthieu Aikins and Victor J. Blue

America’s Vigilantes

How War-Crime Accusations Against Green Berets Were Denied and Buried

As cases of lawless behavior and extrajudicial killings mounted, the Special Forces had to decide how to respond — and whom to protect.

By Matthieu Aikins and Victor J. Blue

America’s Vigilantes

They Celebrated Vigilante Justice on the Battlefield. Then They Brought It Home.

Pete Hegseth’s advocacy for service members accused of war crimes, and Trump’s pardons of them, have helped usher in an era of military aggression and disregard for the rule of law.

By Matthieu Aikins and Victor J. Blue

Five Takeaways About the Culture of Lawlessness in the U.S. Special Forces

Until now, many of the troubling events that took place during the war in Afghanistan have been shrouded in secrecy.

By Matthieu Aikins

The Interview

Sen. Alex Padilla Says His Viral Moment Was a Sign of Things to Come

The California politician on his “wake-up call” at an earlier moment of political upheaval, and the one he’s experiencing today.

46 MIN LISTEN

The L.A. Dodgers Risk Alienating Their Fans or Angering Trump

For decades, the Dodgers have been the pride of L.A.’s Latino community. Trump’s immigration raids are testing that.

By Bruce Schoenfeld

Ideas

Autism, A.D.H.D., Anxiety: Can a Diagnosis Make You Better?

As our diagnostic categories expand to include ever milder versions of disease, researchers propose that the act of naming a malady can itself bring relief.

By Ellen Barry

The Ethicist

Is It OK to Talk to My Daughter About Her Weight?

She may be headed for a serious problem. How can we raise this with her without pushing her away?

By Kwame Anthony Appiah

Letter of Recommendation

Want to Know What Men Are Thinking? Go Get a Haircut.

The version of masculinity you might see getting your hair cut is more complex than the caricature presented in the manosphere.

By Makana Eyre

Screenland

The Case for Laughing With Strangers in the Dark

Hollywood often leaves humor to the TV screen. But months of moviegoing reminded me: A good comedy gets as much out of the theater as any IMAX spectacular.

By Robert Rubsam

This Classic Sushi Roll Is a Delight to Make at Home

The California roll is so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s also easily made in your kitchen.

By Eric Kim

Judge John Hodgman

Can Your Spouse Put Limits on Knuckle-Cracking?

A ruling on a dispute over body noises.

By John Hodgman