Explainers
How Much Immigration Power Does Joe Biden Have?
A complex landscape of authorities and constraints limits what presidents can do without Congress.
Sore Loser Laws, Explained
Forty-seven states impose restrictions on political candidates who lost a primary election, but how they would apply in a presidential election is not always clear.
The United Nations’ Palestinian Refugee Agency, Explained
The revelation that U.N. staff members participated in October 7 is the latest in a string of controversies.
How the Military Plans Joint Operations, Explained
Long-established procedures guide virtually every military operation carried out today.
Joe Biden and Greg Abbott’s Fight Over the Texas Border, Explained
Who has the authority to do what at the U.S.-Mexico border?
Recent Attempts to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs, Explained
Federal and state governments, along with private enterprises, are all trying to deliver prescriptions at lower prices to consumers.
South Africa’s International Court of Justice Claims Against Israel, Explained
The United Nations arm will weigh in on claims of genocide.
The Recently Unsealed Jeffrey Epstein Documents, Explained
Documents made public last month reveal new details in ongoing Epstein cases.
A New Legal Challenge to the Administrative State, Explained
The Supreme Court hears arguments in two fishing cases that could limit rule-making powers of federal bureaucracies.
The Secretary of Defense and the Chain of Command, Explained
The Pentagon inspector general is investigating after Lloyd Austin’s recent hospitalization.
Ohio’s Battle Over Gender Procedures, Explained
The Ohio governor placed new limits on gender-related surgical procedures after choosing not to pursue more restrictive bans.
Taiwan’s Upcoming Election, Explained
Distinctions between contestants are subtle but could have outsize implications.
The Catholic Church’s Blessing of Same-Sex Couples, Explained
The church’s new guidance has left some confused.
New Gene-Editing Treatments, Explained
The FDA has approved two new treatments for sickle-cell anemia, but much remains unknown.
The Biden Administration’s Plan to Seize Drug Patents, Explained
The federal government is proposing a new framework that could allow for increased manufacturing of prescription drugs.