Kash Patel, like many of his MAGA fellows, believes a deep state of “gangsters” and “crooks” sabotaged Donald Trump’s first term. But he is on the verge of gaining the unique power to exact his boss’s revenge, if the Senate confirms him as FBI director. The decision would overturn America’s long history of nonpartisan leadership in law enforcement.

And if you have experienced supersonic air travel, you are probably of a certain age: the Concorde last flew in 2003. But a successful recent engine test could bring faster-than-sound flights back to civilians, perhaps by 2029. 

Also, you can now browse all of our covers from the past year in this interactive guide to our Cover Story newsletter. And if you think you have what it takes to design an Economist cover, enter our competition by February 3rd.