
The Inside Story of How Sweden Botched Its Coronavirus Response
Stockholm denies pursuing herd immunity. But internal emails show Swedish officials were resigned to mass infections all along.

Our Top Weekend Reads
Swedes can’t figure out their government’s coronavirus approach, a progressive push on U.S. foreign policy, and an honest assessment of the Arab Spring’s fallout.

Sweden’s Second Wave Is a Failure of Government—and Guidance
The country’s contrarian approach to the COVID-19 pandemic was meant to prove that trust in authorities could avert lockdowns. Instead, mixed messaging and political squabbles have led to an exploding epidemic.

Sweden and the World-Historical Power of Conformity
From socialism to the coronavirus, a unified theory for why everyone thinks Swedes have all the answers.

How Italy Snatched Health From the Jaws of Death
Those who used to scoff at its mismanagement should take note of Rome’s strategy for defeating COVID-19.

Ask What You Can Do for Your Country
Western countries need national service programs, and Germany is leading the way.

Sweden’s Coronavirus Failure Started Long Before the Pandemic
Many countries have criticized the Swedish government’s lax lockdown, but the deadly mistakes of defunding elder care and decentralizing public health oversight were made before anyone had heard of COVID-19.

It Can’t Happen in Sweden—Even When It Does
A disastrous pandemic and the botched Olof Palme investigation have one thing in common: Swedes’ belief that they’re special.

The Hidden Flaw in Sweden’s Anti-Lockdown Strategy
The government expects citizens to freely follow its advice—but not all ethnic groups have equal access to expertise.

Sweden Is Open for Business During Its Coronavirus Outbreak
The Scandinavian country believes its distinctive high-trust culture will protect it from needing to shut down for the pandemic.

Can Social Democrats Save the World (Again)?
Communism and democratic socialism won’t heal today’s political divisions. But social democracy—which helped ward off extremism following World War II—could.

Repent for Your Frequent Flyer Miles!
Feeling guilty for the carbon burned on your last flight? The Germans have a word for that.

The Myth of Democratic Socialism
The Nordic countries show the limits, not successes, of Bernie Sanders’s plans.
Document of the Week: When Sweden Wanted Nukes
A 1963 U.S. intelligence assessment underscores how many countries—even Sweden—were exploring nuclear weapons programs at the height of the Cold War.

If You Bowl Alone, You Can’t Fight Together
National security depends on a vanishing sense of community.