Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a major in religious studies, and a minor in integrated liberal studies.
Rafi lives in the Twin Cities, where he does not bike, run or take part in any team sports. He does, however, have a variety of interests, hobbies and passions.
Latest articles by Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
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Physical media is having a moment
Under The Radar While streaming dominates the way we watch, listen and play, a growing number of people are finding pleasure — and treasures — in media they can hold.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Mark Robinson raises alarm bells in North Carolina gubernatorial race
Talking Points Could the Republican nominee's history of antisemitism, homophobia, and conspiracy theories decide who leads the Tarheel state?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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What exactly is the role of the DNC and RNC?
In Depth Each major party organ looms large in an election year, but their actual operations are often misunderstood
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Why are Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators anxious about Ramadan?
Today's Big Question The threat of violence during Islam's holiest month could upend the fragile effort to forge a lasting cease-fire
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Will Israel have indefinite control of Gaza?
Today's Big Question Netanyahu's newly unveiled plan for the 'day after' the war with Hamas raises the prospect of a permanent military presence in the Palestinian territory
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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What do we know about China's global cyber operations?
Today's Big Question A tranche of leaked documents offers new insight into Beijing's sprawling mercenary hacking operation
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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MAGA faithful draft plans for America's Christian nationalist future
Talking Points Some of Donald Trump's closest allies are laying the groundwork for a potential theocracy if he wins a second term in office.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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How are NATO's frontline nations working together — and apart — to counter Russia?
Today's Big Question From bunker borders to massive troop buildups, Europe's premier military alliance is already preparing for Putin's next move
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Where does Indonesian democracy go from here?
Today's Big Question With a controversial former general dogged by allegations of human rights abuses poised to take over the third-largest democratic country on Earth, Indonesia faces an uncertain path forward
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Biden makes a Super Bowl TikTok flip-flop
Talking Points National security risk or not, the president's reelection campaign is hoping to meet younger voters where they are
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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It's not really about Biden's brain — unless it is
Talking Points Depending on who you ask, the renewed focus on the president's mental acuity is an election-year distraction, a legitimate point of concern, and sometimes both
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Why is today's Supreme Court hearing the most important election case in a quarter century?
Today's Big Question By hearing Trump's argument to be reinstated on Colorado's ballot, the court risks becoming an election-year spoiler
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Why did a federal court shoot down Trump's immunity excuse?
Today's big question The Trump campaign 'respectfully disagrees' with a panel of appellate judges who rejected the former president's bid for 'complete and total' immunity
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Joe Biden's LNG pause: good policy or bad posturing?
Today's Big Question Critics from all sides attack the White House for freezing permits for some new liquified natural gas export terminals
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Why is the Texas secession movement having a moment?
Today's big question As the partisan battle over immigration legislation intensifies, a long-simmering effort to make Texas its own nation is picking up steam
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Boris Nadezhdin: Russia's next (but not necessarily best) shot at ousting Vladimir Putin
Talking Point A little-known lawmaker with an anti-war, pro-civil rights agenda is making waves in Russia's upcoming national election.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Elon Musk's blocked $50B Tesla pay package is about more than corporate compensation
Talking Points A Delaware court's ruling against the tech mogul's 'unfathomable' stock package plan raises uncomfortable questions for the world's richest person
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Fox News is firmly in GOP primary candidates' crosshairs
Talking Points Conservative candidates keep attacking the conservative network to burnish their conservative bona fides
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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International Court of Justice orders Israel to 'take all measures' to prevent genocide
Talking Points Crucially, the United Nations' highest judicial body did not call for a full cease-fire between Israel and Hamas
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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President Biden urged to federalize troops to prevent 'chaos' in Texas
Talking Points Defying the Supreme Court, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sets up a national guard standoff over razor wire at the border
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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After New Hampshire, is there much of a GOP primary left?
Today's Big Question A double-digit win in the Granite State leaves little runway for any candidate not named Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Ron DeSantis: bad campaign or bad candidate?
Talking Points From celebrated 'never Trump' champion to a first-round knockout in the GOP primaries, did the Florida governor ever really have a chance?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Where does Nikki Haley go after New Hampshire?
Today's Big Question She's surging in the polls as the 'never-Trump' candidate, but a strong showing in New Hampshire might be the Haley campaign's high water mark
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Why a historic Mayorkas impeachment might not matter
Talking Points House Republicans have made ousting President Biden's Homeland Security Secretary a major priority regardless of the political risks
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
Talking Points