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.

The Iraq War sparked the first big political fight I had with my father. Like many in my generation, Iraq awakened me to the reality that America occasionally does bad things — and sometimes evil things, as in the case of Abu Ghraib. And yet, my father, the most moral and intelligent person in my life (a description that still holds), defended the war and the politicians behind it.