Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Alex Ward

Alex Ward

Former White House Reporter

    Latest articles by Alex Ward

    Politics
    Jim Mattis has contained Trump’s worst impulses. John Bolton could enable them.Jim Mattis has contained Trump’s worst impulses. John Bolton could enable them.
    Politics

    “This will be a huge test for Mattis.”

    By Alex Ward
    Politics
    Trump’s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, is out. It was a long time coming.Trump’s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, is out. It was a long time coming.
    Politics

    The embattled three-star general finally ends his rocky tenure at the White House — and especially with President Donald Trump.

    By Alex Ward
    World Politics
    Rex Tillerson is gone. Now Jim Mattis has to find a new ally.Rex Tillerson is gone. Now Jim Mattis has to find a new ally.
    World Politics

    Believe it or not, that person could be Tillerson’s replacement: Mike Pompeo.

    By Alex Ward
    World Politics
    “They’re not on the same team”: why Trump’s lawyers keep clashing over the Russia probe“They’re not on the same team”: why Trump’s lawyers keep clashing over the Russia probe
    World Politics

    Here’s a simple guide to the various lawyers representing President Trump.

    By Alex Ward
    World Politics
    Trump thinks Russia will help solve the problems it created in the first placeTrump thinks Russia will help solve the problems it created in the first place
    World Politics

    Trump used Twitter to explain his baffling call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was more confusing than clarifying.

    By Alex Ward
    World Politics
    Lawmakers just tried — and failed — to end US support for the Saudi war in YemenLawmakers just tried — and failed — to end US support for the Saudi war in Yemen
    World Politics

    Sens. Bernie Sanders, Mike Lee, and Chris Murphy had their Yemen resolution killed. The US will therefore continue to help commit war crimes in Yemen.

    By Alex Ward
    Explainers
    The past 48 hours in rising US-North Korea tensions, explainedThe past 48 hours in rising US-North Korea tensions, explained
    Explainers

    Here’s how a military exercise, a German intelligence assessment, and South Korean “artillery killers” might raise tensions with North Korea.

    By Alex Ward
    World Politics
    The Pentagon’s lone survivorThe Pentagon’s lone survivor
    World Politics

    Trump is firing top aides who disagree with him. How has Defense Secretary Jim Mattis survived?

    By Alex Ward
    Politics
    Andrew McCabe’s firing and Trump’s anti-Mueller tirade, explainedAndrew McCabe’s firing and Trump’s anti-Mueller tirade, explained
    Politics

    “The president of the United States is unhinged.”

    By Alex Ward and Zachary Fryer-Biggs
    Russia
    Vladimir Putin wins Russia’s presidential electionVladimir Putin wins Russia’s presidential election
    Russia

    It wasn’t exactly contested.

    By Emily Stewart and Alex Ward