I have covered this growing pessimism about our political system in previous columns, but the evidence keeps coming.

Americans across the political spectrum can agree that both parties have dumbed down democracy, but only the Republican Party is rapidly moving toward the idea of simply refusing to accept election losses.

As a large voting bloc that is “split down the middle,” Catholics have an outsized role in determining this year’s election results. Will they focus on abortion, the economy or some other political issue?

The tributes and gestures from the leaders of Irish political parties long established in the European mainstream came as no surprise. What came as something of a shock—especially to some of their supporters—were statements issued by the leaders of Sinn Féin, the party most associated with the Irish Republican Army.

For all the buzz surrounding its publication, the Irish synod synthesis is both sober and humble in tone and yet inspiring and hopeful.

The New Taliban is about the same as the Old Taliban, but punishing the regime indiscriminately could push Afghanistan toward economic collapse and lead to another refugee crisis.