In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

For most of its history, the United States has been blessed by geography. Since the country’s founding nearly 250 years ago, both Europe and Asia have often been beset by war and upheaval. America was fortunate to have oceans between them while also having neighbors, Canada and Mexico, which were weaker and incapable of posing a serious threat. Mexico’s instability has posed problems of its own, but the U.S. could always count on Canada. Until now.