Opinion Today: Are Democrats still missing the big picture?
Here’s what we’re focusing on.
Opinion Today
September 8, 2026
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Notable

The Democratic Party is afraid of its own voters. “There is a cavernous void to be filled in American politics: No one has offered a vision for a future that a decisive majority of Americans can believe in. Before Democrats can change America, they must first change themselves.”

— Ben Rhodes, contributing Opinion writer

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Ukraine’s defenses are dwindling. “Mr. Putin appears to be adamant that he will pay whatever price — human or financial — necessary to win.”

— Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York

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We’ve forgotten the most important lessons of Sept. 11. “It is important to set the record straight so that we can avoid self-inflicted mistakes and renew our efforts to prevent a similar attack from happening again.”

— Peter Bergen, author of six books about terrorism

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Spotlight

An illustration of swirling humanlike images: a shark, toilet, coffee mug and apple.
Charles Desmarais

Why Gen Z Loves Brain Rot

Maybe consuming meaningless content is the only way to be free online.

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ICYMI

What I’ve learned about grief. “I am learning that grieving Charlie and living life at the same time are part of the rhythm of grief. I can miss him with every part of me and still laugh with our children. I can have a broken heart and still experience joy.”

— Erika Kirk, chief executive of Turning Point USA

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More in Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

What ‘Hyperpolitics’ Explains About This Era

The political historian Anton Jäger on his theory of “hyperpolitics.”

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1 HR 8 MIN LISTEN

In Your Words

Re: Something Alarming Is About to Happen in Germany

R

Ronald

Tulsa

There are strengths in the German system of government that appear to be weaknesses to some. Allowing the AfD a seat at the table, and even watching them form a governing coalition in a single state, does not automatically mean a mad descent into right-wing authoritarianism. The AfD's base of support may rest on some unenlightened characters, but the party could also have valid points of criticism for how the CDU and the SPD have run the country. Similarly to the Trumpian turn in the US, there are valid points of policy sprinkled in between the layers of nativism and authoritarianism, and ignoring them only strengthens the right-wing, and fails to weaken it. The strength of Germany's institutions may be tested, but I believe they are more resilient that they appear, especially at the federal level.

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