The Latest

Imagining a renewed role for poetry in the national discourse — and a new canon

With Kevin Van Dam at the Bassmasters Classic in Shreveport, Louisiana, February 24–25, 2012. Photograph by Misty Keasler

For more, see "The Super Bowl! (Of Fishing)," by Paul Wachter, in the April 2013 issue of Harper's Magazine.

Oil spills, the Iron Lady, and Barbie’s Berlin Dreamhouse

An exchange on the fine points of gun safety, the kinds of gun-control laws America should pass, and the need for a moderate counterpart to the National Rifle Association

"Repose, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia," a photograph by Charlotte Dumas, whose work was featured in the April Readings section. Dumas's Anima series, which depicts the burial horses of Arlington National Cemetery as they fall asleep at night, was on view in March at Julie Saul Gallery, in New York City. Courtesy Julie Saul Gallery, New York City

Why establishment Democrats and Republicans fear Rand Paul

Our thanks and congratulations to the contributors honored for their work for Harper's Magazine in 2012.

With Kevin Van Dam at the Bassmasters Classic in Shreveport, Louisiana, February 24–25, 2012. Photograph by Misty Keasler

For more, see "The Super Bowl! (Of Fishing)," by Paul Wachter, in the April 2013 issue of Harper's Magazine.

The Supreme Court considers skim-milk marriage, a Guantánamo Bay hunger strike expands, and Egyptian scuba divers sabotage SEA-ME-WE-4

Untitled, a mixed-media painting by Francis Alÿs, whose work was featured in April's Readings section. Alÿs is currently participating in the Sharjah Biennial, in Sharjah, UAE. Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York City/London

In a slide projection entitled Cuts, Burns, Punctures, Ishmael Randall Weeks uses found slides from 1970s and ’80s Peru, which he alters to reflect on the violence of the country's multidecade struggle for democracy. Still courtesy the artist and Eleven Rivington, New York City.

Obama hoofs it to Israel, Cyprus barely skates by, and a Canadian suggests an unusual stimulus project

"Untitled #11," by Jonathan Smith, from his series Untold Stories. © The artist. Courtesy Rick Wester Fine Art, New York City

Tracing our coverage of the war, from Lewis H. Lapham to Andrew J. Bacevich 

Vague talk about the middle class, and plenty for big business

The exhibition Susan Wides: All the Worlds, which includes photography that accompanied "Some Assembly Required" (Harper's Magazine, February 2012), opens tonight at Kim Foster Gallery.

A quick scan for a deadly sin

The Free Network Foundation takes on Google in Kansas City

Earl Shorris and The Art of Freedom

Pope Francis among the people, rapist self-pity, and a slavery debate at CPAC

A discussion with critics Ruth Franklin, Christine Smallwood, and Jennifer Szalai on Wednesday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m.

Rashid Khalidi on how the United States sustains the failure of the Israel–Palestine peace process

Puzzlers are invited to visit harpers.org/puzzles

Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin Jr. on the rise of the Black Panther Party, revolution, and the glory of guns

On John le Carré and the relaunch of the Folio section

The trouble with the Congressional Budget Office’s long-term budget projections

Chávez cancer conspiracy theories, drone droning, and coitus leo interruptus

Deficit misdirection

Does looking to the past help us become better parents?