The uncomfortable truth about “the left” and “the right.” The January Issue 2026 A digital magazine unpacking the big ideas changing our present and shaping our future.Nicholas Stevenson / Folio Art for VoxHello, In this month's issue of The Highlight, America’s political binary — left and right, Democrat and Republican — can feel inescapable. But historically, it’s a relatively new development, and academically, some political scientists argue it’s nonsense. What we think of as immutable political realities are instead artificial alliances of political convenience. In this month’s Highlight cover story, senior correspondent Eric Levitz breaks down the case against “progressivism” and “conservatism” and gets at the heart of our partisan divides. Also in this issue: Catholic opposition to Trump. The ethics of surrogacy. Fighting to banish the flu. Enjoy! —Elbert Ventura, executive editor Inside the issue COVER STORYThe fiction at the heart of America’s political divideby Eric Levitz The uncomfortable truth about “the left” and “the right.”LIFE There’s an underrated (and cheaper) type of therapyby Eleanor Cummins Its “disadvantages” can also be its strengths.POLITICS The wild card group that could scramble America’s political alliancesby Katherine Kelaidis Why Catholics could be the key to Trump’s opposition.HEALTH Is America turning on birth control?by Hannah Seo It’s a weird time to talk about contraceptives. Here’s what the debate is missing. Read the whole issue This email was sent to newsletter@kait.dev. Unsubscribe from this email and manage your email preferences. View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service. View this email in your browser. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036.Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. https://link.vox.com/oc/67925a98fa230a37c40bd564py4gl.36ig/3fa9aac9