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Because you have found your way to this Current Affairs webpage at this very moment, it’s clear that you are a person of ex­cellent taste. We encourage you to keep reading—and, if possible, to subscribe to our gorgeous and affordable print magazine.

Printmaking cherub

“Bah, but print magazines are full of unsightly ads and noxious corporate propaganda from blowhards who haven’t had an original thought in forty years,” you might reply. You are, as usual, correct about most print magazines, but we are pleased to inform you that Current Affairs is a peacock of a different series of colors.

Current Affairs is 100% free of any advertorials and infotainment (except of the satirical variety), and we publish clever, unique, well-researched stories that rags like the Economist and Time fear to cover. When you subscribe to the Current Affairs print magazine, not only are you supporting a left media institution with credibility and influence, but you’re also giving a cheerful middle finger to wealthy corporations, subservient state propagandists, and joyless buzzkills across the world! Best of all, a year-long subscription will cost far less than a standard pair of shoes.

The ethos of Current Affairs.

Illustration of a cat smoking a cigarette

Current Affairs was founded in 2016 with a simple mission: to render all other magazines both despised and obsolete and, in the process of doing so, to help usher in a glorious era of democratic socialism. In a few short years we have made tremendous progress in both regards.

Illustration of people riding a giant duck

Here’s how:

First, we write about serious things in serious detail. We do not feign “objectivity,” that mythic state in which journalists are not part of the world they write about, but neither would we argue that—for example—open borders are Obviously Good without providing substantial evidence to support our claims (turns out they are obviously good, and boy do we have evidence). We take our responsibility to enlighten and inform very seriously. We are the left magazine for people skeptical of leftism, and we cite our sources, show our work, and elaborately buttress our arguments.

Illustration of a robot picking fruit

But we try not to be tedious. Between the covers of Current Affairs you will also find musings on the weird and frivolous, beautifully absurd illustrations, and satire so astutely acidic that it has been known to wither its targets on sight. Our readers deserve not only the Bread of Wisdom, but also the Roses of Joy, and we are honored to provide both these things in ample quantities.

Praise from our Friends

We have told you nice things about Current Affairs. Those things are true—but perhaps you desire confirmation of our many qualities from sources that are a bit less biased (on account of being us). Here, in the testimonials section you shall have them!

Noam Chomsky

“Nathan Robinson’s articles, and Current Affairs generally, have been con­sistently challen­ging and thought-provoking, with incisive critique and informative discussion, lucid and provocative, and focused on well-chosen issues of major significance. I find myself regularly recommend­ing Robinson’s articles to others, and re-reading them myself. Unusually valuable contributions.”

“Nathan Robinson’s articles, and Current Affairs generally, have been con­sistently challen­ging and thought-provoking, with incisive critique and informative discussion, lucid and provocative, and focused on well-chosen issues of major significance. I find myself regularly recommend­ing Robinson’s articles to others, and re-reading them myself. Unusually valuable contributions.”

Noam Chomsky
Famous linguist and social critic
Ella

“My name is Ella and I am currently a senior in high school. I submitted my first college application last week and I wanted to let the CA team know that I wrote my personal essay about my journey of embracing socialism after discovering Current Affairs! I was raised in an Obama-loving household, and Current Affairs has played a transformative role in exposing me and drawing me to the left. Since I started reading Current Affairs in 2017, my understanding of the world and my vision for the future have radically changed. Love the magazine, podcast, everything!! Thank you for all that you do!”

“My name is Ella and I am currently a senior in high school. I submitted my first college application last week and I wanted to let the CA team know that I wrote my personal essay about my journey of embracing socialism after discovering Current Affairs! I was raised in an Obama-loving household, and Current Affairs has played a transformative role in exposing me and drawing me to the left. Since I started reading Current Affairs in 2017, my understanding of the world and my vision for the future have radically changed. Love the magazine, podcast, everything!! Thank you for all that you do!”

Ella
Beloved subscriber
Glenn Greenwald

“Nathan J. Robinson and Current Affairs are con­sistently ex­cellent, writing at a very high standard, and offering serious and compelling alternative perspectives. Very worth following and reading.”

“Nathan J. Robinson and Current Affairs are con­sistently ex­cellent, writing at a very high standard, and offering serious and compelling alternative perspectives. Very worth following and reading.”

Glenn Greenwald
Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist and co-founder of The Intercept
Adolph Reed, Jr.

“Current Affairs is an important breath of fresh air. It stands out as by far the most intellectually sophisticated, thought-provoking, and politically astute among organs of left commentary directed toward a popular audience that have appeared in recent decades.”

“Current Affairs is an important breath of fresh air. It stands out as by far the most intellectually sophisticated, thought-provoking, and politically astute among organs of left commentary directed toward a popular audience that have appeared in recent decades.”

Adolph Reed, Jr.
University of Pennsylvania
Michael Moore

“This is one of the best magazines in this country, I encourage you to read it. I’m a big fan of it, I learn things I don’t know and I read their analysis and it’s very enlightening… I couldn’t believe it when I read the first issue of it, both the subjects that were being covered or being written about are being said in a very different way than what you’re used to… [N]ot only highly readable, it’s inspiring… I will continue to be a reader and a subscriber and I bought a subscription for all my crew on my last movie. It’s a real gift to have Current Affairs…”

“This is one of the best magazines in this country, I encourage you to read it. I’m a big fan of it, I learn things I don’t know and I read their analysis and it’s very enlightening… I couldn’t believe it when I read the first issue of it, both the subjects that were being covered or being written about are being said in a very different way than what you’re used to… [N]ot only highly readable, it’s inspiring… I will continue to be a reader and a subscriber and I bought a subscription for all my crew on my last movie. It’s a real gift to have Current Affairs…”

Michael Moore
Filmmaker
Krystal Ball

“Current Affairs is a critical island of dissent from a left per­spective in a sea of con­formist mediocrity. This publication is an ally to the independent thinker, and a threat to the status quo.”

“Current Affairs is a critical island of dissent from a left per­spective in a sea of con­formist mediocrity. This publication is an ally to the independent thinker, and a threat to the status quo.”

Krystal Ball
Host of “Rising” on The Hill
The Daily Beast

“In a difficult time for the digital media landscape and a dire one for print, Current Affairs has achieved things that seem all but unheard in the modern age. It balances take-no-prisoners leftist political writing with a whimsical, often militantly silly sensibility reminiscent of Dave Eggers’ Generation-X touchstone Might, Carter’s own ’80s satirical staple Spy, and every website you once loved that has gone out of business in the past five years. It has achieved this while exhibiting a Fugazi-level dedication to independence, as neither the magazine nor the website accepts advertising, though the magazine is littered with faux ads and public-service announcements, including pleas to not put an octopus on one’s head.”

“In a difficult time for the digital media landscape and a dire one for print, Current Affairs has achieved things that seem all but unheard in the modern age. It balances take-no-prisoners leftist political writing with a whimsical, often militantly silly sensibility reminiscent of Dave Eggers’ Generation-X touchstone Might, Carter’s own ’80s satirical staple Spy, and every website you once loved that has gone out of business in the past five years. It has achieved this while exhibiting a Fugazi-level dedication to independence, as neither the magazine nor the website accepts advertising, though the magazine is littered with faux ads and public-service announcements, including pleas to not put an octopus on one’s head.”

The Daily Beast
“Not all ‘Bernie Bros’ are ‘angry young men.’ Meet Nathan J. Robinson.”
Noam Chomsky

“Nathan Robinson’s articles, and Current Affairs generally, have been con­sistently challen­ging and thought-provoking, with incisive critique and informative discussion, lucid and provocative, and focused on well-chosen issues of major significance. I find myself regularly recommend­ing Robinson’s articles to others, and re-reading them myself. Unusually valuable contributions.”

“Nathan Robinson’s articles, and Current Affairs generally, have been con­sistently challen­ging and thought-provoking, with incisive critique and informative discussion, lucid and provocative, and focused on well-chosen issues of major significance. I find myself regularly recommend­ing Robinson’s articles to others, and re-reading them myself. Unusually valuable contributions.”

Noam Chomsky
Famous linguist and social critic
Glenn Greenwald

“Nathan J. Robinson and Current Affairs are con­sistently ex­cellent, writing at a very high standard, and offering serious and compelling alternative perspectives. Very worth following and reading.”

“Nathan J. Robinson and Current Affairs are con­sistently ex­cellent, writing at a very high standard, and offering serious and compelling alternative perspectives. Very worth following and reading.”

Glenn Greenwald
Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist and co-founder of The Intercept
Krystal Ball

“Current Affairs is a critical island of dissent from a left per­spective in a sea of con­formist mediocrity. This publication is an ally to the independent thinker, and a threat to the status quo.”

“Current Affairs is a critical island of dissent from a left per­spective in a sea of con­formist mediocrity. This publication is an ally to the independent thinker, and a threat to the status quo.”

Krystal Ball
Host of “Rising” on The Hill
Ella

“My name is Ella and I am currently a senior in high school. I submitted my first college application last week and I wanted to let the CA team know that I wrote my personal essay about my journey of embracing socialism after discovering Current Affairs! I was raised in an Obama-loving household, and Current Affairs has played a transformative role in exposing me and drawing me to the left. Since I started reading Current Affairs in 2017, my understanding of the world and my vision for the future have radically changed. Love the magazine, podcast, everything!! Thank you for all that you do!”

“My name is Ella and I am currently a senior in high school. I submitted my first college application last week and I wanted to let the CA team know that I wrote my personal essay about my journey of embracing socialism after discovering Current Affairs! I was raised in an Obama-loving household, and Current Affairs has played a transformative role in exposing me and drawing me to the left. Since I started reading Current Affairs in 2017, my understanding of the world and my vision for the future have radically changed. Love the magazine, podcast, everything!! Thank you for all that you do!”

Ella
Beloved subscriber
Adolph Reed, Jr.

“Current Affairs is an important breath of fresh air. It stands out as by far the most intellectually sophisticated, thought-provoking, and politically astute among organs of left commentary directed toward a popular audience that have appeared in recent decades.”

“Current Affairs is an important breath of fresh air. It stands out as by far the most intellectually sophisticated, thought-provoking, and politically astute among organs of left commentary directed toward a popular audience that have appeared in recent decades.”

Adolph Reed, Jr.
University of Pennsylvania
Michael Moore

“This is one of the best magazines in this country, I encourage you to read it. I’m a big fan of it, I learn things I don’t know and I read their analysis and it’s very enlightening… I couldn’t believe it when I read the first issue of it, both the subjects that were being covered or being written about are being said in a very different way than what you’re used to… [N]ot only highly readable, it’s inspiring… I will continue to be a reader and a subscriber and I bought a subscription for all my crew on my last movie. It’s a real gift to have Current Affairs…”

“This is one of the best magazines in this country, I encourage you to read it. I’m a big fan of it, I learn things I don’t know and I read their analysis and it’s very enlightening… I couldn’t believe it when I read the first issue of it, both the subjects that were being covered or being written about are being said in a very different way than what you’re used to… [N]ot only highly readable, it’s inspiring… I will continue to be a reader and a subscriber and I bought a subscription for all my crew on my last movie. It’s a real gift to have Current Affairs…”

Michael Moore
Filmmaker
The Daily Beast

“In a difficult time for the digital media landscape and a dire one for print, Current Affairs has achieved things that seem all but unheard in the modern age. It balances take-no-prisoners leftist political writing with a whimsical, often militantly silly sensibility reminiscent of Dave Eggers’ Generation-X touchstone Might, Carter’s own ’80s satirical staple Spy, and every website you once loved that has gone out of business in the past five years. It has achieved this while exhibiting a Fugazi-level dedication to independence, as neither the magazine nor the website accepts advertising, though the magazine is littered with faux ads and public-service announcements, including pleas to not put an octopus on one’s head.”

“In a difficult time for the digital media landscape and a dire one for print, Current Affairs has achieved things that seem all but unheard in the modern age. It balances take-no-prisoners leftist political writing with a whimsical, often militantly silly sensibility reminiscent of Dave Eggers’ Generation-X touchstone Might, Carter’s own ’80s satirical staple Spy, and every website you once loved that has gone out of business in the past five years. It has achieved this while exhibiting a Fugazi-level dedication to independence, as neither the magazine nor the website accepts advertising, though the magazine is littered with faux ads and public-service announcements, including pleas to not put an octopus on one’s head.”

The Daily Beast
“Not all ‘Bernie Bros’ are ‘angry young men.’ Meet Nathan J. Robinson.”

Denunciations from our Foes

Not only has Current Affairs earned effusive praise from workers, students, and highly-respected intellectuals, we have also attracted the scorn of the worst people on earth! After all, nothing infuriates a demagogue like having their ideas thoroughly and wittily debunked. It’s clear that Current Affairs has all the right enemies—see for yourself:

Dinesh D’Sousa

“As you probably know, we’re on opposite sides of the aisle.”

“As you probably know, we’re on opposite sides of the aisle.”

Dinesh D’Sousa
Author and racist
Ben Shapiro

“Some magazine I never heard of.”

“Some magazine I never heard of.”

Ben Shapiro
Part-time radio host
Charles Murray

“I guess I’m odious.”

“I guess I’m odious.”

Charles Murray
Pseudoscientist and eugenics enthusiast
Dinesh D’Sousa

“As you probably know, we’re on opposite sides of the aisle.”

“As you probably know, we’re on opposite sides of the aisle.”

Dinesh D’Sousa
Author and racist
Ben Shapiro

“Some magazine I never heard of.”

“Some magazine I never heard of.”

Ben Shapiro
Part-time radio host
Charles Murray

“I guess I’m odious.”

“I guess I’m odious.”

Charles Murray
Pseudoscientist and eugenics enthusiast

You-centric amusements.

But enough about those assholes. At Current Affairs, our real focus is on you, our beloved subscriber. To make your reading experience as joyful and interesting as possible—after all, we have the radical notion you ought to enjoy what you read—our print magazine is chock-full of amusements. These colorful, intricate, uproariously entertaining tidbits are the perfect palate cleansers between our absorbing articles, featuring games, quizzes, cut-outs, and more!

Excerpt from “Can You Win the GOP Senate Primary”
Excerpt from “Rat Fuck: The Board Game”
Excerpt from “Atlas of the Apocalypse”

Policy Health care, immigration, criminal justice, and more!

When most magazines talk about policy, it’s either A) dull, B) condescending, or C) some combination of both. Not so at Current Affairs! We feature profiles and interviews with some of the brightest thinkers in the world—like Naomi Klein, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and Adolph Reed—and we also go to great lengths to show how the ideas they support (or oppose) affect the lives of ordinary people every single day.

Whether you’re looking for a clear explanation of why America’s border controls are inhumane, proof that capitalism’s goal “infinite growth” is impossible, or what really led to the rise of Trump, we have you covered!

Excerpt from “Can We Save Facebook?”
Economics Can We Save Facebook?

Is social media irredeemable? Or is capitalism, once again, the real villain?

by Yasmin Nair
Excerpt from “What Are Refugee Camps For?”
Immigration What Are Refugee Camps For?

Refugee camps are about control.

by Laura Robson
Excerpt from “The Politics of Emergencies”
Philosophy The Politics of Emergencies

What exactly is an “emergency” and how do we imagine it?

by Daniel Walden

Useful Diagrams

Our magazine does not just tell, it shows. Want to see which circle of Hell each of your enemies belongs in? Consult our panoramic diorama. Want a guide to the contemporary college campus (as seen through the paranoid mindset of the American right)? We’ll show ya one! Need a map of the internet? You’ll find it in the pages of Current Affairs.

Excerpt from “Contemporary College As Seen From The Right”
Excerpt from “Map Of The Internet”
Excerpt from “Bureaucracy Flowchart”

Utopian Visions

As you can see, the Current Affairs print magazine pulls no punches. We tell it like it is—but we also tell it like it should be. For the joyless technocrats who run most mainstream magazines, utopian thinking may have gone out of style, but at Current Affairs we are firmly committed to envisioning a happier, healthier, more fulfilling world where the afflicted may be comfortable and the comfortable may be afflicted in diverse and fanciful ways!

Excerpt from “The Utopian City”
Excerpt from “A Perfect School”
Excerpt from “Utopia Of The Month”

Life & Living climate, development, education, and more!

Have you ever wondered why water is so expensive in some parts of the U.S., or why most modern buildings are so ugly, or how charter schools manage to use ever-greater sums of money to yield ever-poorer results? Every issue of Current Affairs contains many fascinating investigations into the factors that shape our daily lives. You are certain to be delighted and surprised! (Or perhaps infuriated, but satisfyingly so.)

Libertarian seasteaders? Sure, we’ll dive into that! The gamification of public schools by tech companies? We’ll tell you all about it! The merits of psychedelic drugs for various uses? Yes, and how!

Excerpt from “Education Gamification”
Vampiric schools!
Excerpt from “No Man Is An Island”
One-man nations!
Excerpt from “Make America Trip Again”
Tripping!

Oddities & delights.

Death to minimalism, viva infinite delights! The Current Affairs print magazine gives a hearty “fuck off, chaps!” to the cookie-cutter principles of modern graphic design. Instead, we embrace the messiness and diversity of life—which is expressed perhaps most clearly in the “Front Matter” that welcomes you to every new issue, as well as “advertisements” for non-existent products, services, and General States of Mind that may hide benevolently in the pages that follow. Think of it as a tapas buffet for your eyes and brain!

Culture Art, history, travel, and more!

Current Affairs is not only a magazine of politics, it is also a magazine of culture. Nowhere else can you find such charming and insightful discussions of Star Trek plotlines, investigations of various Proclivities of medieval-era Irish monks, or socialist travelogues from the world’s most far-flung destinations. And while other magazines’ culture content may tend toward the vapid or the aloof, you can trust that Current Affairs’ writers always have startling new insights and incredible jokes.

Join us as we explore the bucolic wastelands of Chernobyl, the fun-but-worryingly-blithe-about-Nazism work of P.G. Wodehouse, the deep neuroses of murder mysteries, and much much more!

Excerpt from “The Importance of Pacifism”
Pacifism!
Excerpt from “My Affairs”
Memoirs from the future!
Excerpt from “The World of Wodehouse”
Literature!

Meet the staff of Current Affairs

Current Affairs is put together by a crack team of editorial professionals. Collectively, they have exactly 2 years of prior experience in the magazine industry.

Portraits by Skutch

Nathan J. Robinson
Editor in Chief
Aisling McCrea
Contributing Editor & Podmaster General
Allegra Silcox
Business Manager
Brianna Rennix
Lieutenant Editor
Briahna Joy Gray
Contributing Editor
Cate Root
Poet at Large
Eli Massey
Contributing Editor
Kate Gauthreaux
Administrative Cajun
Lyta Gold
Amusements & Managing Editor
Nick Slater
Newsletter Editor
Oren Nimni
Legal Editor
Pete Davis
Podcast Host
Sparky Abraham
Finance Editor
Vanessa A. Bee
Associate Editor
Yasmin Nair
Editor at Large

Don’t delay, subscribe today! it’s Not Very Expen­sive

You can have a full year’s worth of beautiful, brilliant magazines delivered directly to your door for less than the price of a monthly streaming TV subscription, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Gold, or your other currently preferred hellscape coping mechanism! A bargain? No, bargain is an understatement. Bargain does not begin to describe it. To say you are getting a bargain is like saying the mighty Siberian tiger is “a bit bigger” than the domestic tabby.

Pile of magazine issues laid out in a circle

And as a bonus, you’re also making an invaluable contribution to fixing all that ails contemporary American media! At Current Affairs, we are supported entirely by your subscriptions and donations. We do not carry advertising. We have no venture capitalist backers, hefty endowments, or secretive billionaires. We’re funded only by you, and that means we’re here only for you. Subscribe to Current Affairs today!