Foreign Policy & International Affairs

Why should we care about the Strait of Hormuz?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Strait of Hormuz, explaining why the narrow waterway is the world's most important oil chokepoint, why Iran has all but shut it down, and what that means for global markets.

Sports & Culture

Imagine the Olympics on Steroids (Literally)

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Enhanced Games, explaining how the Olympics-style competition openly allows performance-enhancing drugs, why athletes are signing up, and the debate over whether it celebrates or endangers human performance.

Foreign Policy & International Affairs

Who is the WHO?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the World Health Organization, explaining what the UN's global health agency does, how it differs from the CDC, and why the U.S. withdrew earlier this year.

Government

What’s the deal with UFOs?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down UFOs, explaining what's in the Pentagon's newly declassified UAP files, why they were released now, and what they do (and don't) reveal about alien life.

Government

Explaining The Voting Rights Act

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Voting Rights Act, explaining why the 1965 law was needed, how the Supreme Court has narrowed it over the years, and why its Section 2 is back in the headlines.

Government

Why’s Everyone Talking About Redistricting?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down congressional redistricting, explaining how states redraw voting maps, why gerrymandering is controversial, and why some states are trying to redraw districts before the next census.

Economy

Soo Explain Stocks To Me Like I’m Five

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down stocks and the stock market, explaining how ownership in companies works, what major market indexes track, and why stock prices rise and fall.

Economy

A Beginner’s Guide to Bitcoin (By Beginners)

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down Bitcoin, explaining how the decentralized digital currency works, how transactions are tracked through blockchain, and why many people treat it as an investment.

Sports & Culture

Why did we go to the moon... again?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down Artemis II, explaining its role as NASA’s first crewed deep-space mission since Apollo, what it accomplished, and how it fits into plans to return to the moon and eventually reach Mars.

Foreign Policy & International Affairs

What Is War? (Legally Speaking)

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down what “war” means legally, explaining how the U.S. formally declares war, why most modern conflicts aren’t officially wars, and the alternatives presidents use to authorize military action.

Government

A PSA on TSA… How’s It Work?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the TSA, explaining why it was created after 9/11, how airport security rules evolved, and the ongoing debate over its role today.

Foreign Policy & International Affairs

Quickly Explaining “Crude Oil” from Recent Headlines

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down government shutdowns, explaining why they happen, what services stop or continue, and how Congress ultimately brings them to an end.

Government

Why Does Congress Hold Hearings?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down congressional hearings, explaining how Congress gathers information, the different types of hearings, and their role in shaping laws and oversight.

Foreign Policy & International Affairs

Explaining the History of the Iranian Regime

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down how Iran’s government works, explaining the role of the Supreme Leader, the structure of its theocratic system, and how leadership transitions unfold.

Government

How Does the Secret Service Work?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Secret Service, explaining its dual role in protecting national leaders and investigating financial crimes, and how it carries out those missions.

Sports & Culture

How Do the Winter Olympics Work?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Winter Olympics, explaining how the global event began, how host cities are chosen, and why countries invest in staging the Games.

Sports & Culture

What is Lent?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down government shutdowns, explaining why they happen, what services stop or continue, and how Congress ultimately brings them to an end.

Economy

What the Federal Reserve Actually Does

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Federal Reserve, explaining how the central bank manages the economy through interest rates and money supply, and how its structure supports those decisions.

Justice & Legal Affairs

How Does the FBI’s Most Wanted List Work?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the FBI’s Most Wanted list, explaining how fugitives are selected, what the list is meant to accomplish, and how public tips help authorities track suspects down.

Foreign Policy & International Affairs

Greenland 101

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down Greenland, explaining its political relationship with Denmark, why the island is strategically important, and why the U.S. has long been interested in it.

Immigration

What is ICE?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down ICE, explaining the agency’s role in enforcing immigration laws, how its two main divisions operate, and what typically happens during enforcement actions.

Foreign Policy & International Affairs

What in the World is International Law?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down international law, explaining where global rules come from, what they govern, and how they’re enforced without a single global authority.

Sports & Culture

How Do the College Football Playoffs Work?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the College Football Playoff, explaining how teams are ranked and selected and how the 12-team bracket determines the national champion.

Immigration

The Truth About Seeking Asylum in the U.S.

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down asylum seekers, explaining how the U.S. asylum process works, who qualifies for protection, and what happens while applications are reviewed.

Government

What’s the Deal with Autopens?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down autopens, explaining how the signature-replicating device works, why presidents and other public figures use it, and the debate over its use on official documents.

Government

How a Bill Actually Becomes a Law

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down where federal laws come from, explaining how bills move through Congress, how few ultimately pass, and the steps required for a bill to become law.

Justice & Legal Affairs

Pardon me... The president can do what?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down presidential pardons, explaining the president’s clemency powers, the different types of relief they can grant, and the few limits on how they’re used.

Government

Explaining SNAP, Uncle Sam’s Nutrition Benefits Program

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down SNAP, explaining how the federal food assistance program works, who qualifies, and the main arguments for expanding or limiting it.

Government

🪖 So... How Does the National Guard Work?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the National Guard, explaining how it differs from active duty and reserves and how it can be deployed by both state governors and the president.

Economy

How do tariffs work?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down tariffs – explaining what they are, how they work, why governments impose them, and why critics argue they raise prices for consumers.

Sports & Culture

What’s a Nobel Prize?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Nobel Prize—explaining its origins, how winners are nominated and selected, what laureates receive, and some notable recipients throughout history.

Foreign Policy & International Affairs

Israel, Palestine, and Hamas... How’d We Get Here?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Israel–Palestine conflict, tracing its historical roots, key turning points since 1947, and why the land remains deeply contested today.

Justice & Legal Affairs

What is an Epstein File?

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Epstein case, clarifying what happened, what’s public, and what remains disputed.

Government

Government Shutdowns in a Nutshell

In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down government shutdowns, explaining why they happen, what services stop or continue, and how Congress ultimately brings them to an end.