A selection of recent and most read stories from The Atlantic to start your day

Support fearless independent journalism and gain unlimited access to The Atlantic, starting at less than $2 a week.

The Kleptocracy Presidency

Under Trump, conflicts of interest are just part of the system.

Trump’s Trade War Handed China a Strategic Advantage

The president signaled that the U.S. doesn’t care about its allies and trading partners—including Taiwan.

How to Wish You Were 66 Instead of 35

Spoiler: Life after menopause has some big perks.

The SNL Parody That Captured the Tariffs Chaos

The show found an ideal vehicle for satirizing the country’s economic anxiety.

America and Its Universities Need a New Social Contract

$50 for STEM, 5¢ for citizenship—that's how America apportions its education dollars. Our beleaguered universities must redress the balance—helping the country and themselves.

Did someone forward you this email? Sign up here.

Explore all of our newsletters.

The Atlantic’s Crossword

The Atlantic’s crossword puzzle gets a little more challenging every day: Mondays are the easiest, with the biggest, most difficult puzzle on Sunday.