The Thread
Where policy, equity, and culture come together
Becoming America: Marielena Hincapié on Writing Her Family’s Immigration Story
The Night Shift at Reykjavik: What ‘The Brink of War’ Tells Us about Arms Control
Could the Iran War Accelerate the Energy Transition?
What’s In Your Wallet? If You’re a Parent, It Should Be a Library Card.
Editor’s Picks
The SAVE Act Is the Wrong Way to ‘Nationalize’ Elections. There’s a Better One.
Four Ways to Protect Yourself from the Deepfakes Taking over the Internet
Is Trump Really a Fascist? Examining the Controversial Claim
The Cost of Beauty: Inside the Broken Promise of Cosmetology School
How Netflix’s ‘A House of Dynamite’ Might Change Our Thinking on Nuclear War
On-Screen Representation Means More Than Just Identity. It’s About Context.
The Latest
Exploring Dandyism and Black Expression: A Roundtable Discussion
From classrooms to red carpets, our Met Gala roundtable dives into Black dandyism as history, resistance, and living curriculum.
4/20 Is More than a Holiday—It’s a Case for Direct Democracy
Maresa Strano and Mark Schmitt remind us that 4/20 isn’t just about cannabis, it shows that when lawmakers stall, voters can lead.
America’s Winter of Political Discontent Could Spark a Democratic Spring
Lee Drutman outlines how this winter of discontent for U.S. politics could spring seeds of renewal.
The Best Government Tech in Years Is on the Chopping Block
Direct File is a free tax filing service that works. But some politicians want it gone.
Don’t Close the Book on Libraries—Reinvent Them
The local library is at risk—Sarah Gilliland explores why now is the time to rethink how they’re funded.
For Black Mothers, Doulas Can Make All the Difference
Tonya Abari’s birth story shows the impact of doula care on Black maternal health, as proposed Medicaid cuts threaten vital support.
How the Mega-Rich Bend the Rules: A Q&A with Atossa Araxia Abrahamian
Fellow Atossa Araxia Abrahamian discusses how the ultra-wealthy exploit global loopholes amidst the rise of millionaire migration.
U.S. Women and the Mental Load: Carrying the Weight of Caregiving
As stress mounts for mothers and caregivers, Haley Swenson examines whether the mental load and emotional labor they carry is sustainable.
Celebrating the Power of Words: Poems from New America Fellows Clint Smith and Sarah Kay
Explore the powerful poetry of Sarah Kay and Clint Smith, reflecting on culture and the transformative power of words.
One Way Congress Can Support American Families and College Students with Children
The U.S. higher education continues to fail over 3 million parenting students. Ewa Obatuase discusses what Congress can do to support them.
Encampment Cleanups Aren’t the Answer: Bridging the Gap Between Housing Loss and Homelessness
After Trump’s notice, DC sped up homeless encampment removals. Tim Robustelli urges better eviction data to tackle housing instability.
Holding onto Hope in 2025: Why Long-Term Policy Solutions Still Matter
Eddy Conroy shares why doing the important policy work keeps him optimistic about a better future for Americans beyond Trump’s second term.
A New Era for Captain America: Navigating Patriotism and Identity in a “Brave New World”
Marvel’s latest had a lucrative opening weekend. Ted Johnson and Joe Wilkes discuss its success in navigating today’s political landscape.
How to Protect Your Privacy Online: Five Tips from Tech Policy Experts
Protect your online privacy with these five practical steps from New America’s tech policy experts Nat Meysenburg and Sydney Saubestre.
Behind the Lens: Filmmakers Emily Kassie and Julian Brave NoiseCat on Sugarcane
Filmmakers and Fellows Emily Kassie and Julian Brave NoiseCat discuss Sugarcane, a documentary honoring Indigenous resilience and history.