The State of It: USA

After threatening Iran with total civilisational collapse, Donald Trump steps back from the brink and agrees to a fragile ceasefire that both sides claim as a win. But how long can it really hold?
And as Hungary heads to the polls, JD Vance lands in Budapest to back Viktor Orbán—a leader often seen as aligned with Moscow. What does it mean when the White House throws its weight behind a pro-Russia candidate in one of Europe’s most consequential elections?

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Fraser Nelson, columnist at The Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images.
Clips: Reuters
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has addressed the nation about the war in Iran for the first time. What did we learn?

This is a bonus episode. For this week's regular episode, click here

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Fraser Nelson, columnist at The Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images.
Clips: Reuters

Email us: [email protected]
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget the fog of war, this is the fog of Donald Trump. How much does he care about the political pressure created by the war in Iran? Is America entering the end game or ramping up operations?
Also, how are the grassroots feeling? Katy has been to the Conservative Political Action Conference to find out. And we look at the secret life (and enormous fake breasts) of Kristi Noem's husband, Byron Noem.

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images.
Clips: Reuters

Email us: [email protected]
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump is in a bind: there's very little appetite in Washington for boots on the ground but will that be the only way to unblock the Strait of Hormuz?
Is there any possible deal that would look and feel like a victory over the Iranian regime?
And why do people start looking more nervously at the president towards the weekend?

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images.

Email us: [email protected]
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are some reasons for the US to be optimistic about the war in Iran, but have the main beneficiaries so far been America's enemies?
The resignation of a counterterrorism official has ignited a debate about antisemitism in US politics.
Could Tucker Carlson really be the next president?
And what on earth is a shamrock shake?

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images.
Clip: CBS News

Email us: [email protected]
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.