Today, Explained

Michael Horowitz, a political scientist focused on military tech, and Josh Keating, a foreign affairs journalist, dig into how Iran’s cheap drones are reshaping war. They explore interceptor shortages, the high cost of stopping low cost attacks, regional escalation, underground drone production, and why future conflicts may hinge on cheaper defenses.

Diane Winston, a USC scholar of religion and media, joins McKay Coppins, an Atlantic writer and Mormon commentator, and Bridget Read, a New York Magazine features writer. They dig into Mormon influencers, why Mormon homemaking aesthetics took off online, the faith’s path into mainstream America, and how TV turns religious themes into pop culture drama.

Nancy Pelosi, former House Speaker and a powerhouse California Democrat, reflects on entering politics at 47, breaking through sexism in Washington, and why she still believes in Americans after January 6 and the attack on her husband. She also talks legacy, voting rights, women in power, and what it takes to win elections.

Helen Rosner, New Yorker restaurant critic, and Stephanie Breijo, LA Times food reporter, dig into Rene Redzepi, Noma’s massive influence, and the abuse allegations surrounding its culture. They explore fine dining’s mythmaking, brutal kitchen hierarchies, public backlash, chef reactions, and why diners still chase the experience despite the controversy.

Clive Thompson, a journalist and author on coding culture, joins Lauren Goode, a Wired senior correspondent covering Silicon Valley. They dig into vibe coding, build an AI job-replacement checker live, and explore why AI coding tools spread so fast. They also tee up debates over security, technical debt, agent swarms, and a future of cheap, custom software.

Will Sommer, a Bulwark reporter on the far right, and Stephanie Slade, a Reason editor covering conservatism, unpack James Fishback’s rise. They trace his ties to Groypers and extremist online circles. They explore rage politics, viral provocation, and Gen Z right-wing appeal. They also compare him with earlier fringe Republican figures and ask how far this style could spread.

Hannah Aaron Lang, a Wall Street Journal markets reporter, and Kate Nibbs, a Wired technology and culture journalist, dig into platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. They explore how people can wager on war and geopolitical chaos. They look at suspiciously precise trades, hazy rules, and why these markets are still dominated by men.

Nargis Bajogli, a Johns Hopkins scholar of Iran and media, and Vali Nasr, a political scientist and Middle East strategist, unpack why Iran’s rulers can lose top figures without losing control. They dig into diaspora feuds, nationalism stirred by bombing, younger hard-liners pushing escalation, and how the Strait of Hormuz could raise the stakes worldwide.

Maya Feller, a Brooklyn dietitian, Kimber Stanhope, a UC Davis metabolism researcher, and David Singerman, a UVA historian of sugar, unpack why sugar is everywhere. They get into sugar’s ties to empire and lobbying. They explore how industry shaped nutrition debates. They also look at fructose, hyperpalatable foods, and why cutting back is more realistic than going cold turkey.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive leader fighting for Medicare for All and higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy, outlines a proposed annual wealth tax and a $1 billion cutoff. He discusses funding direct payments, an asset registry despite privacy tradeoffs, and calls to slow AI development to protect workers and democracy.