Is the United States on the cusp of a pivotal turning point for its democracy? According to a conversation featuring Robert Kagan, the 2026 election may prove decisive in determining whether the nation can steer clear of the brink.

America’s track record with intense political violence continues to inform today’s hectic climate. In this recent coverage, staff writer Jane Mayer underscores that, despite present anxieties, the country has overcome even harsher episodes in its past—and may do so again.