Does the Great Retreat from Afghanistan Mark the End of the American Era?

Plus: Why is it so hard to be rational? And “The White Lotus.” View in browser | Update your preferences Monday, August 16, 2021 Our Columnists Does the Great Retreat from Afghanistan Mark the End of the American Era? It’s a dishonorable end that weakens U.S. standing in the world, perhaps irrevocably. By Robin Wright Annals of Inquiry Why Is It So Hard to Be Rational? The real challenge isn’t being right but knowing how wrong you might be. By Joshua Rothman On Television The Raw Triumph of Jennifer Coolidge in “The White Lotus” Her wealthy, wounded character in Mike White’s HBO series could easily have come off as a caricature. Instead, it was the greatest role of her career. By Rachel Syme Cover Story Gayle Kabaker’s “Summer’s Lease” The artist discusses the delights of summer and the pleasures of capturing babyhood. By Françoise Mouly Culture and More Books The Two Sides of Ha Jin His early stories of China deployed unsparing brutality, but his latest novel shows his affinity for stoicism, irony, and modesty. By Joan Acocella On the Hustings Angelyne Stumps for California’s Professional-Celebrity Vote The Los Angeles billboard icon has a platform that includes mandatory bubble-bath day and the cancellation of daylight-saving time. By Antonia Hitchens Books Briefly Noted “From the Streets of Shaolin,” “Distant Fathers,” “Brotherhood,” and “The Woman from Uruguay.” Humor and Games Name Drop Today’s Quiz The fewer clues you need, the more points you receive. By Liz Maynes-Aminzade Crossword Today’s Crossword So-called mother of the French New Wave: ten letters. By Kameron Austin Collins Daily Shouts The Failed Promise of Statement Pieces Expectation: feeling like royalty. Reality: looking like a burlap bag. By Kaitlin Chan Daily Cartoon Monday, August 16th By Lars Kenseth You’re receiving this e-mail because you signed up for The Daily from The New Yorker. Was this e-mail forwarded to you? Sign up. Unsubscribe | Manage your e-mail preferences | Send newsletter feedback | View our Privacy Policy Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.