Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Politics Archive

Archives for November 2015

World Politics
Watch: a French father and son’s touching conversation about the Paris attacksWatch: a French father and son’s touching conversation about the Paris attacks
World Politics

“Everyone is putting flowers. It’s to fight against guns.”

By Zack Beauchamp
World Politics
18 things about ISIS you need to know18 things about ISIS you need to know
World Politics

ISIS, or the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria, explained.

By Susannah Locke
Mischiefs of Faction
The governor who didn’t give in to fear ... and paid a price for itThe governor who didn’t give in to fear ... and paid a price for it
Mischiefs of Faction

When other governors refused to take in an unpopular group, this governor stood up and tried to change people’s minds.

By Seth Masket
World Politics
The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah couldn’t joke about the Paris attacks. He did this instead.The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah couldn’t joke about the Paris attacks. He did this instead.
World Politics

“One thing that made me smile was the people of Paris showed us that the only way to overcome inhumanity is humanity.”

By German Lopez
World Politics
John Oliver had exactly the right (NSFW) response to the Paris attackersJohn Oliver had exactly the right (NSFW) response to the Paris attackers
World Politics

“Fuck these assholes.”

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
Seeking emotional satisfaction through foreign policy is a bad ideaSeeking emotional satisfaction through foreign policy is a bad idea
Politics

It can only lead to disappointment and disaster.

By David Roberts
Politics
Is Mike Huckabee right that refugees from hot countries hate Minnesota? An investigation.Is Mike Huckabee right that refugees from hot countries hate Minnesota? An investigation.
Politics

The results might actually surprise you.

By Dara Lind
Explainers
The US is so paranoid about Syrian refugees that it’s letting barely any inThe US is so paranoid about Syrian refugees that it’s letting barely any in
Explainers

Refugees aren’t just slipping into the US. Screening takes two years, and it’s nearly impossible for people to pass.

By Dara Lind
World Politics
The surprising reason why ISIS may be lashing out: because it’s losingThe surprising reason why ISIS may be lashing out: because it’s losing
Play
World Politics

Obama is getting a lot of heat for saying ISIS is “contained.” But he’s right — and that’s precisely why the group is so dangerous.

By Zack Beauchamp
2016 Presidential Election
Hillary Clinton is planning a huge break with Obama on educationHillary Clinton is planning a huge break with Obama on education
2016 Presidential Election

She’s picked a side in the fight over education reform.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
Some Republicans only want to let in Christian refugees. That’s un-American.Some Republicans only want to let in Christian refugees. That’s un-American.
Politics

Obama: “We don’t have religious tests to our compassion.”

By Dara Lind
Polyarchy
Seattle’s new political vouchers are an experiment. How will we know if they’re working?Seattle’s new political vouchers are an experiment. How will we know if they’re working?
Polyarchy

Every Seattle voter will get a chance to be a political donor. It’s an idea that’s finally stepping out of the faculty lounge, and no one knows for sure how it will work.

By Mark Schmitt
World Politics
Watch: Obama gives fiery press conference responding to critics on Paris and ISISWatch: Obama gives fiery press conference responding to critics on Paris and ISIS
World Politics

“When you actually listen to what [my critics] have to say, what they’re proposing, most of the time, when pressed, they describe things we’re already doing.”

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
There’s a big problem with Ted Cruz’s position on legal immigrationThere’s a big problem with Ted Cruz’s position on legal immigration
Politics

Cruz wants to freeze legal immigration rates “so long as work-force participation rates remain below historical averages.” That might mean forever.

By Timothy B. Lee
Politics
Democrats need to learn to defend Obama’s record on foreign policyDemocrats need to learn to defend Obama’s record on foreign policy
Politics

Of course it looks bad if you don’t talk about the good stuff.

By Matthew Yglesias