Opinion Today: Graham Platner’s simple message
Here’s what we’re focusing on.
Opinion Today
April 22, 2026
A portrait of Graham Platner, who casts a strong shadow on a blue wall.
Graham Platner Mark Peterson for The New York Times

Notable

The moment Graham Platner understood the futility of war. “We must listen to voices like Mr. Platner’s. The kind of visceral and moral reckoning he advocates is the only way to truly dismantle the forever war, change our priorities and detoxify our country.”

— Ben Rhodes, a contributing Opinion writer

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Here’s how blue states can stop losing people to red states. “To me, the story of Covid-era migration isn’t a neat narrative about Democratic governance driving people away. There were more forces at play than just blue-state policy.”

— Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, in a round table discussion

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How to save universities. “What they need, in every department, are more skeptics and iconoclasts and people with a capacity to change their minds intelligently.”

— Bret Stephens, an Opinion columnist

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Spotlight

An illustration of two people, each with an arm around the other, looking out a window.

Separation: A Possible Future

Part 6 in our series about an undocumented Honduran teenager and his family living in America’s new immigration landscape.

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ICYMI

Israel is running out of friends. “Just another day of the Netanyahu government playing President Trump for a fool.”

— Thomas L. Friedman, an Opinion columnist

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More in Opinion

President Trump holding up his right hand, with a light flashing behind him.

Jamelle Bouie

Trump Corrupts, and Absolute Trump Corrupts Absolutely

The president is one of a kind.

By Jamelle Bouie

A flag of Israel emerging from or descending into a hole.

Ross Douthat

There’s a Reason Americans Hold Israel to a Higher Standard

Americans hold Israel to a higher standard than their other allies. That’s a good thing.

By Ross Douthat

letters

Democrats Look for a New Campaign Script

Readers respond to an Opinion guest essay by David Plouffe. Also: Why mothers are burned out; national referendums.

Guest Essay

An Attack on Sam Altman Sends a Terrifying Message

The attack against Sam Altman reflects how badly Silicon Valley needs to address the societal consequences of its products.

By Aaron Zamost

In Your Words

Re: “Older Americans Are Hoarding America’s Potential

Why not incentivize and normalize intergenerational living? Anyone with one home on a reasonable lot is -not- occupying more than their fair share, but we do need more carrots (not sticks) to expand access. Speaking of fair shares, tax the rich and cap executive salaries. This is getting ridiculous. — A comment by tee-lish from Minneapolis

Read more comments on the story here and check out our Letters to the Editor.

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