LITERARY REVIEW —- FEBRUARY 2026
Category Archives: Opinion
THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE – FEBRUARY 9, 2026
THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE: The latest issue features Nathan Heller on Gavin Newsom, Joshua Yaffa on Russia’s single-use agents, Michael Schulman on A.I. in film, and more.
Gavin Newsom Is Playing the Long Game
California’s governor has been touted as the Democrats’ best shot in 2028. But first he’ll need to convince voters that he’s not just a slick establishment politician. By Nathan Heller
Why the D.H.S. Disaster in Minneapolis Was Predictable
For decades, ICE and Border Patrol have operated with fewer constraints than typical law-enforcement agencies. By Jonathan Blitzer
Inside Russia’s Secret Campaign of Sabotage in Europe
How Russian military intelligence is recruiting young people online to carry out espionage, arson, and other attacks across the Continent. By Joshua Yaffa
THE NEW YORK TIMES – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Gaza Crossing to Egypt Reopens in Step Forward for Fragile Cease-Fire
Israel and Egypt had disagreed for months about how to resume operations at the Rafah border crossing, which has been largely closed since May 2024.
How the Supreme Court Secretly Made Itself Even More Secretive
Amid calls to increase transparency and revelations about the court’s workings, the chief justice imposed nondisclosure agreements on clerks and employees.
Why The Times Is Expanding Its Supreme Court Coverage
Small Businesses in Minneapolis Serve a City in Crisis: ‘This Is Our New Normal’
In Minneapolis and St. Paul, business owners work to lift up a community that has been shaken by the presence of thousands of immigration agents.
Protesters Press Target to Take a Stand Against ICE Crackdown in Minneapolis
The Minnesota-based retail chain has avoided criticizing anyone, even after federal agents detained two employees. Its new C.E.O. faces pressure to do more.
THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026
Federal Courts Undercut Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign
A policy intended to keep immigrants detained indefinitely has led to a deluge of lawsuits, overwhelming some federal courts and resulting in many releases.
Facing Immigration Backlash, Trump Called Schumer to Cut a Deal
They Said They Weren’t Close to Epstein. New Documents Show Otherwise.
Materials released by the Justice Department revealed that leading business and political figures had enduring relationships with Jeffrey Epstein.
British Prime Minister Urges Former Prince Andrew to Testify to Congress Over Epstein Ties
Ukraine Peace Talks Delayed After Russia and U.S. Meet
The American Prospect Magazine – February 2026
The American Prospect: The latest issue features ‘The Business of Sports’…
Impeach President Miller
The mastermind of the Trump regime’s descent into gangsterism is arguably more dangerous than the Orange One himself. by Maureen Tkacik
No Time to Compromise on ICE
If they are not careful, Democrats could get outmaneuvered on the details of trading funding for reform. by Robert Kutt
Tesla’s Wile E. Coyote Moment Is Here
But how long can Elon Musk keep running on air? Potentially quite a long time.
The Border Patrol’s Legacy of Violence
To understand the brutality in Minneapolis, look to the agency that has a history of fomenting it.
THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE- FEBRUARY 1, 2026
THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE: The 2.1.26 Issue features Emily Bazelon and Rachel Poser on what’s going on inside the F.B.I.; Taffy Brodesser-Akner on “Operation Mincemeat”; Michael Steinberger on the human rights lawyer Philippe Sands; and more.
What It’s Like to Live With One of Psychiatry’s Most Misunderstood Diagnoses
Spurred by her past struggles with dissociative identity disorder, she has devoted her professional life to studying it.
Inside Kash Patel’s F.B.I.: Meltdowns, Chaos, Vendettas
In Minnesota, America’s Federal System Is Coming Apart
The state is in a standoff with the federal government over who has the power to investigate the killing of protesters. It’s not a fair fight. By Emily Bazelon
‘The Biggest Act of Union-Busting in U.S. History’: Trump’s War on Federal Workers
With 300,000 employees gone and collective-bargaining rights eliminated, the administration has hobbled organized labor. Did it also start a movement? By Dan Kaufman
THE NEW YORK TIMES – SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
Trump’s Choice for Fed Chair Has a Tough Job Ahead. It’s Not the First Time.
Kevin Warsh is known as a consensus builder, a skill he will need if he is to head the Federal Reserve when President Trump is demanding rock-bottom rates.
A Hawkish Fed Chair Could Haunt Bessent
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried to avoid providing President Trump with a clear recommendation to lead the central bank.
ICE Expands Power of Agents to Arrest People Without Warrants
Agents can now carry out broader sweeps of suspected undocumented migrants, in addition to targeted operations to arrest specific people.
Release of Three Million Epstein Pages Falls Short, Survivors Say
The Justice Dept. finished its release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, though officials conceded it was unlikely to quell suspicions around the case.
Israel Launches Deadly Strikes in Gaza, as Rafah Border Is Set to Reopen
A local health official said at least 26 people had been killed in the attacks, which the Israeli military said had targeted Hamas commanders. The opening of the border was seen as progress in the cease-fire.
THE NEW YORK TIMES – FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026
Kevin Warsh Is Trump’s Pick for Fed Chair
Mr. Warsh, if confirmed by the Senate, would succeed Jerome Powell, who was attacked by President Trump over the bank’s reluctance to more aggressively cut interest rates.
F.B.I. Search in Georgia Shows Trump’s Willingness to Pursue 2020 Grievances
The search might also signal the president’s disposition to use law enforcement to intervene in election matters as this year’s midterms approach.
Democrats Reach Spending Deal With Trump, Seeking to Rein In ICE
Iran Says It Won’t Negotiate With the U.S. While Under Threat
Iran’s foreign minister ruled out direct talks unless President Trump stops threatening to attack. He also said Iran would not discuss its ballistic missiles.
Trump Weighs New Military Options Against Iran
The plans presented to President Trump go beyond those he considered weeks ago amid widespread protests against Iran’s government.
THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE – JANUARY 31, 2026 PREVIEW
THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘The ICE test‘
ICE’s impunity is a formula for more violence
Is America’s president building his own paramilitary militia?
Xi Jinping’s purge should worry the world
Installing his yes-men to lead the army could be dangerous for Taiwan
The weak yen and the weakening dollar are signs of financial fragility
But neither Japan nor America should meddle with exchange rates
Haters on the right and left are wrong about London
It’s a hub, not a hellhole. Labour should give it more love
Africa’s two biggest economies may be turning the corner
As Nigeria and South Africa revive, the continent’s growth may outpace Asia’s in 2026
Stop panicking about AI. Start preparing
There is time to adapt. Use it wisely
THE NEW STATESMAN MAGAZINE-JANUARY 30, 2026
THE NEW STATESMAN: The latest issue features ‘How We Escape Trump’…
How we escape Trump
Ice and Donald Trump’s regime of violence
The age of Trump has twisted the American psyche beyond recognitionBy Lee Siegel
Britain needs a Gaullist leader
By Paul Ovenden
How a single call sealed Andy Burnham’s fate
By Ailbhe Rea
The turn to Europe is inevitable
By Andrew Marr
Boomers Daily 