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Abstract An overview is presented of our current understanding and open questions related to magnetic reconnection in solar flares and the near-sun (within around 20$$R_{s}$$ $R_s$) solar wind. The solar-flare-related topics include the mechanisms that facilitate fast energy release and that control flare onset, electron energization, ion energization and abundance enhancement, electron and ion transport, and flare-driven heating. Recent observations and models suggesting that interchange reconnection of multipolar magnetic fields within coronal holes could provide the energy required to drive the fast solar wind are also discussed. Recentin situobservations that reconnection in the heliospheric current sheet close to the sun drives energetic ions are also presented. The implications ofin situobservations of reconnection in the Earth space environment for understanding flares are highlighted. Finally, the impact of emerging computational and observational tools for understanding flare dynamics are discussed. 

Abstract This short article highlights unsolved problems of magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasma. Advanced in-situ plasma measurements and simulations have enabled scientists to gain a novel understanding of magnetic reconnection. Nevertheless, outstanding questions remain concerning the complex dynamics and structures in the diffusion region, cross-scale and regional couplings, the onset of magnetic reconnection, and the details of particle energization. We discuss future directions for magnetic reconnection research, including new observations, new simulations, and interdisciplinary approaches.