The Past Is Never Dead

This week, we look at how selective coverage shapes our view of foreign borders, conflicts and historical figures — from Syria to Winston Churchill. Plus, a conversation with the editor-in-chief of National Geographic about their latest issue unpacking tricky issues of race, starting with the magazine's troubled past.

1. Thalia Beaty [@tkbeaty], reporter for Storyful, on the latest coverage of the war in Syria.

2. Miranda Bogen [@mbogen], policy analyst at Upturn, on the perilous geopolitics of Google Maps.

3. Susan Goldberg [@susanbgoldberg], editor-in-chief of National Geographic, on how the magazine is reckoning with racist coverage in its past.

4. Madhusree Mukerjee [@Madhusree1984], author of Churchill's Secret War, on the ruthless legacy of Winston Churchill you didn't see in his latest Hollywood treatment.

Songs:

Psalom by NYYD Quartet and Paul Hillier

Collected Songs Where Every Verse Is Filled With Grief by Kronos Quartet

Mazen Dha Nahar El Youm by Abdeslam Khaloufi

Her Averah by Norfolk & Western

Auf Einer Burg by Robert Schumann

Flugufrelsarinn by Kronos Quartet