Conquest used to be geographic. Power was measured in acreage and borders—how many people you could uproot or how many maps you could redraw. For centuries, empires expanded outward: seizing land, minerals, bodies, and entire cultures. Colonialism was an economic project disguised as destiny. Europe treated the world as inventory: gold in the Caribbean, rubber […]
As we approach the end of the season, every remaining game carries more weight for playoff hopes. Preseason favorites like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are now barely in the race after unexpectedly poor performances. Meanwhile, early standouts like the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have slowed down after hot starts. […]
On Nov. 17, Harvard Kennedy School’s John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum hosted a conversation between Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the 55th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Graham Alison ’68, the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government and former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School. Together, they examined how Donald Trump’s political tenure has reshaped […]
By the time leaves begin to fall in the courtyard outside of New Quincy, the semester is already racing by—too fast for anyone to notice. They gather first in the tight corners of the brick path—wedged beneath bikes, pressed against the base of the lamppost, scattered along the entryway like an afterthought. In the mornings, […]
With the Colts and Saints sitting out, this week was packed with National Football League action. Only seven weeks remain, and the playoff window is closing for some teams. Injuries forced unexpected players onto the field: Aaron Rodgers left the Bengals game in the third quarter, replaced by Mason Rudolph. Kirk Cousins played briefly after […]
On Nov. 12, Harvard Kennedy School’s John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum hosted a conversation featuring Professors Steven Pinker and Jennifer Lerner. The event centered on Pinker’s latest book, “When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life,” which explores how shared awareness—mutual understanding of what others know—shapes […]
Americans are having less sex than at any point in the modern era. The share of U.S. adults ages 18-64 who report having sex weekly has fallen from 55% in 1990 to 37% in 2024. Among young adults, the shift is sharper: the share of 18-29-year-olds who reported no sex in the past year doubled […]
At the river’s edge, a single stem divides the current. Its roots grip the narrow seam between concrete and clay, where the residue of the city collects—rust, pollen, glass dust, fragments of old coins. Gnats hover above the water in small, quivering loops. A film of oil drifts past, breaking the reflection into bruised color. […]
With the NFL season now at its midpoint, the race for the Super Bowl remains wide open. The Patriots and Drake Maye continue to make a name for themselves as worthy underdogs. Meanwhile, the Bills and Eagles continue their dominant performances. Other teams, like the Packers or Jaguars, are simply harder to rate—they win the […]
Writer’s note: As the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum enters another month of inspiring conversations with distinguished leaders and experts, it faces a profound loss. Institute of Politics Director Setti Warren passed away suddenly on November 2, 2025, at the age of 55. Warren dedicated his life to public service, serving in the Navy during […]