The Architect of Empathy: Suzannah Lessard (1944-2026). Among the first editors of this magazine, the celebrated author and progeny of Stanford White, had a tumultuous upbringing and a nuanced moral imagination.
Matthew Cooper
Matthew Cooper is Executive Editor Digital at the Washington Monthly. He is also a contributing editor of the magazine and a veteran reporter who has covered politics and the White House for Time, The New Republic, Washingtonian, National Journal and many other publications.
Matthew is on Bluesky @mattizcoop.bsky.social and X @mattizcoop.
Posted inPolitics
Trump’s Iranian Gambit: It Didn’t Have to Come to This
He pulled us out of the imperfect but functional Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran, leaving us blind, without our strongest allies, and crossing our fingers.
Posted inPolitics
Why We Need a New Dickens
Everyone cares about Oliver Twist. Now we need to help the Artful Dodgers.
Posted inNewsletter
When the Country Is in Trouble, the Washington Monthly Is There
We’re providing new ideas for a stronger America, but we need your help.
Posted inFeatured
11 of Our Most Memorable Pieces from 2025
Revisit writing from this year that we’re proud to have run.
Posted inPodcast
How Democrats Won Virginia and New Jersey
We go behind the scenes with Angela Kuefler, the pollster who helped engineer the historic victories of governors-elect Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill.
Posted inPolitics
Washington Monthly Founder Charlie Peters Died On Thanksgiving Two Years Ago. Why He Still Matters
After helping to found the Peace Corps, the former West Virginia legislator started this magazine in 1969 and molded it for 32 years. Help us celebrate his life and legacy by donating now.
Posted inPolitics
Why Democrats Won
Donald Trump’s unpopularity, the fact that candidates met the moment in their elections, and the logic of off-year elections propelled the opposition party to a big victory.
Posted inPolitics
Mikie Sherrill Braces for Landing in New Jersey Governor’s Race
During the Trump years, the Navy helicopter pilot soared. Next stop, Trenton?
Posted inPolitics
The Charlie Kirk Assassination: More Than Just Murder
The law makes distinctions between killings, and there’s a reason political assassination deserves a special circle of Hell.
