Conor Friedersdorf

Conor Friedersdorf is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he focuses on politics and national affairs. He lives in Venice, California, and is the founding editor of The Best of Journalism, a newsletter devoted to exceptional nonfiction.

'Depraved' Music Is a White House Tradition

'Depraved' Music Is a White House Tradition

Conservatives are upset the Obamas invited rapper Common to a White House poetry reading. What sort of precedent is this? More »

Should Elections Shape National Security Policy?

Should Elections Shape National Security Policy?

Obama campaigned against the Bush approach to fighting terrorism. We elected him. Does he owe us follow through? More »

Targeting Americans, and With Little Controversy

Targeting Americans, and With Little Controversy

Where's the outrage over the Obama Administration's secret assassination attempts on U.S. citizens? More »

Off the Bookshelf: A One-Ton Lizard

Off the Bookshelf: A One-Ton Lizard

Short excerpts from long reads. Today: early Australia. More »

Exalting in Severed Heads

Exalting in Severed Heads

In war, it's worth remembering we adhere to civilized norms for our own benefit -- and not for our enemies More »

What America Looks Like: Santa Fe, New Mexico

What America Looks Like: Santa Fe, New Mexico

The United States as seen by its residents More »

The Truth About a Weekend in Austin

The Truth About a Weekend in Austin

A quick trip to the capitol of Texas is a much different experience than travel writers would have you believe More »

What America Looks Like: Nashville, Tennessee

What America Looks Like: Nashville, Tennessee

The United States as seen by its residents More »

Off the Bookshelf: Haunted In The City

Off the Bookshelf: Haunted In The City

Short excerpts from long reads. Today: New York through the eyes of a young man. More »

The Most Libertarian GOP Debate in History

The Most Libertarian GOP Debate in History

Fox News moderators asked tough questions. Two out of five candidates on the stage were anti-war. Welcome to the debate different. More »

Mitch Daniels' Ambitious Education Reforms

Mitch Daniels' Ambitious Education Reforms

The Indiana governor's voucher plan is controversial, but at worst will give us valuable data on this approach to fixing schools More »

What the GOP Was Arguing About as Their Last Primary Began

What the GOP Was Arguing About as Their Last Primary Began

In early May of 2007, 10 candidates gathered for the first Republican debate. The questions they faced afford an interesting look back. More »

Off the Bookshelf: Siberia!

Off the Bookshelf: Siberia!

Short excerpts from long reads. Today's subject has eight time zones. More »

After bin Laden Kill, Obama's Critics Go Over the Top

After bin Laden Kill, Obama's Critics Go Over the Top

Conservatives still look for reasons to call the president weak. It's going to backfire. More »

What America Looks Like: Austin, Texas

What America Looks Like: Austin, Texas

The United States as seen by its residents More »

The Most Absurd Newspaper Story of the Year

The Most Absurd Newspaper Story of the Year

The Washington Post asserts that the War in Iraq helped us get bin Laden by getting us used to continual conflict More »

Torture Opponents Were Right

Torture Opponents Were Right

They've long insisted that a "ticking time bomb" exception would set us on a slippery slope. The reaction to bin Laden's death proves their point. More »

The Civil Liberties Primary: A Merry Band of Litigators

The Civil Liberties Primary: A Merry Band of Litigators

The Institute for Justice combines the right's focus on economic liberty with the left's willingness to effect change through the courts More »

Nearly 100 Fantastic Pieces of Journalism

Nearly 100 Fantastic Pieces of Journalism

These must-reads are my personal picks for the best nonfiction of 2010 More »

Off the Bookshelf: A Recent Divorce

Off the Bookshelf: A Recent Divorce

Short excerpts from long reads. Today: a middle-aged man whose marriage has just ended. More »

The Biggest Story in Photos

2013 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

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