Meet the Team Behind U.S. Politics Today
Why we are offering a fresh perspective on U.S. policy through an international lens and what to expect
Now that we’ve launched U.S. Politics Today — your go-to for European-informed insights into the fast-moving world of U.S. politics — you might be wondering: who’s behind this thing, and why should you even read it?
Our contributors include expert media researchers, veteran journalists and columnists, led by an editor-in-chief with a deep background in editorial work and strategic leadership.
At a time when U.S. politics is often called polarized, our team of American and European experts offers a fresh perspective. With a solid grasp of U.S. systems, history, media, and culture, our newsletter aims to offer something more grounded and cut through some of the noise.
Let’s face it: the U.S. presidency is a global topic now. And with so much uncertainty, both Americans and folks abroad are trying to figure out what it all means.
We want to help you make sense of today’s U.S. policies — to be blunt about what’s going on in the White House and on Capitol Hill.
Our goal is to offer headlines with context, a bit of international nuance, and a critical eye shaped by European political traditions and experience.
More importantly, this Substack publication is here to help you understand how U.S. policy impacts the world, no matter where you are.
Why Substack?
We picked Substack because it’s simple, direct, and gives us the freedom to speak honestly — no fluff. Just a space to write, reach readers, and build community around smart, global-minded takes on U.S. politics.
Now let us introduce you to our team.
We're a small but growing crew. Each of us brings a different background, but we're all passionate about what's happening in U.S. politics and why it matters far beyond American borders.
Jakub Leps: Leps joined Newsmatics in 2000 as Chief Editor, overseeing news sites such as Central Europe Online, Inside China Today, and U.S. Politics Today, and was promoted to chief content officer in January 2023. Leps was later promoted to general manager of Newsmatics Data Sciences in May 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Arts in American Studies from Charles University in Prague, and a Master of Arts in Political Science from Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary, and Vienna, Austria. He was also awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in 2002-2003, which allowed him to conduct academic research at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is one of 25 distinguished alumni to receive CEU's Alumni Impact Award. Since 1999, he has taught various political science courses at several universities in Prague. He has also been active in politics, currently serving as a member of the Prague City Government Assembly.
Holly White: White is a senior news index team leader at Newsmatics. She graduated from London Metropolitan University and Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Politics and a Master of Arts in Conflict and Democracy, her academic foundation is tailor-made for dissecting media landscapes and discerning complex narratives. Her previous role as a Democratic Services Officer in local government in England underscores her commitment to democratic ideals and governance. Through her work in the media, she has gained extensive experience in areas such as media analysis, categorizing news sources, and combating misinformation, fake news, and propaganda.
Issac Morgan: A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Morgan has been working for Newsmatics since January 2025. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Florida A&M University's School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. While covering Florida politics as a reporter, he was selected for a journalism fellowship with the National Press Foundation. Morgan covered several presidential campaign events and rallies, including one featuring former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as a MAGA rally with former Vice President Mike Pence. In his current role at Newsmatics, Morgan regularly produces press releases, articles and other content across the company’s digital media products.
Dana Bučková: Bučková has been working for Newsmatics since 2023, currently working as a senior media researcher and analyst. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies and Journalism combined with Political Science, followed by a Master's degree in Media Research and Analytics at Masaryk University. Her research focus is on students' motivations, particularly from a qualitative research perspective. She is also interested in political engagement in the peripheries, which she would like to pursue for her PhD.
Martina Paulenová: Paulenova works as news index team leader at Newsmatics. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Journalism and a Master of Arts in Media Analysis and Research, both from Masaryk University, Brno. Her research experience as a media analyst, with focus on quantitative and qualitative analysis of social media, helps her to understand and dissect contemporary politics.
Paulína Ovečková: Ovečková has been with Newsmatics since 2023, currently working as a senior media researcher and analyst. She complements the team's professional skillset with her master's degrees in China Studies and Economics, and International Relations from Masaryk University. She previously interned at a think tank and the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office Taipei, gaining a comprehensive understanding of international politics and the importance of media framing.