The Economist explains
Subjects topical and timeless, profound and peculiar, explained with The Economist's trademark clarity and brevity
The Economist explains
What happens if America’s government shuts down this weekend?
For starters, millions of people will not get paid
The Economist explains
What is America’s farm bill, and why does it matter?
It has transformed the agriculture industry and given millions of Americans food security
The Economist explains
Why Poland is halting its supply of weapons to Ukraine
A row over duty-free grain has escalated rapidly—but Poland’s government is also posturing
The Economist explains
Could the 14th Amendment bar Donald Trump from becoming president again?
Some conservative legal scholars think so—but the idea is a long shot
The Economist explains
What is Khalistan, the independent homeland some Sikhs yearn for?
The separatist movement is now largely propagated from abroad
The Economist explains
Will India change its name to Bharat?
Rebranding might excite some Hindu nationalists, but would be painful
The Economist explains
Why America’s Republicans want to bomb Mexico
Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric has entered the mainstream of his party
The Economist explains
What are Hycean worlds, a proposed new habitat for life?
Astronomers may have found a new type of life-friendly planet
The Economist explains
Why Venice will charge tourists to enter
Some hotspots are seriously overcrowded. But the allure of the tourist dollar is hard to resist
The Economist explains
How to escape from prison
It is getting harder but remains possible, as Daniel Khalife proved
The Economist explains
Why France is banning Muslim clothing in schools (again)
Some politicians believe that the country’s secular tradition is at stake
The Economist explains
A primer on Trump’s criminal trials
They will shape the drama of next year’s presidential election