'Shale is crucial to the US economy'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day


'America can't do without fracking'
Daniel Yergin at The Wall Street Journal
Fracking "has become essential to the nation's energy supply and can't be eliminated," says Daniel Yergin. People "continue to underestimate how transformative shale oil has been for the U.S. economy and the American way of life." If America "were to start importing again, the price of oil would doubtless rise, as we would be forced to compete for supplies." A "ban on fracking would be both misguided and destructive for the U.S. and its allies."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Trump's threats to the press are serious and literal'
Ramesh Ponnuru at The Washington Post
Donald Trump's "longstanding hostility to freedom of the press receives attention only episodically, after outbursts," says Ramesh Ponnuru. There "can be tricky cases," but saying "that the government should shut down broadcasters" is an "attack on the core of the First Amendment and the purpose it serves." Trump "has told us repeatedly that he thinks the press should have considerably less leeway to report without governmental supervision. We ought to take him seriously."
'The parable of the chainsaw'
Emily C. Hughes at Slate
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" has endured "because of how vividly it captured the hysterical unreality of living in a turbulent age, and how it picked at the scabs crusting over the face of the American dream," says Emily C. Hughes. The film's "greatest accomplishment is that pervasive feeling of wrongness, of danger, a vertiginous sense that there's no safe haven left," and to "live in America right now is to feel squeezed from all sides."
'How Supreme Court decisions could shape the presidential election'
Hassan Ali Kanu at The American Prospect
Recent Supreme Court rulings show the "tremendous power the Court has, and often exerts, over elections and Democratic processes, and how it could again have a significant effect on or even decide the 2024 presidential election," says Hassan Ali Kanu. Recent "voting rights petitions to the Court have the potential to further erode voting rights in the country beyond 2024." Justices could "intervene in the election process" even "when their interventions appear calculated to restrict basic democratic rights."
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Should you downsize for retirement? Here's what to consider.
The Explainer Moving to a smaller place may seem easier, but there are also some real benefits to staying put
-
What to do if you want to move but don't want to give up your low mortgage rate
the explainer 30-year mortgage rates are currently averaging 7% — and homeowners who secured rates closer to 3% during the pandemic are reluctant to sell their homes
-
Crossword: September 1, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Lisa Cook and Trump's battle for control the US Fed
Talking Point The president's attempts to fire one of the Federal Reserve's seven governor is represents 'a stunning escalation' of his attacks on the US central bank
-
'America's universities desperately need a reset'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Why is Trump suddenly interested in his enemies' mortgages?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the president continues targeting adversaries, he's turned to a surprising ally to provide ammunition for an emerging line of attack
-
'A symbol of the faceless corporate desire'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Truck drivers are questioning the Trump administration's English mandate
Talking Points Some have praised the rules, others are concerned they could lead to profiling
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
Trump soaks up adoration in his made-for-TV Cabinet meetings
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The president's televised sessions have become a platform for his top lieutenants to demonstrate executive flattery
-
'With every technological advance, there are risks'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day