Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The State of It: USA

Katy Balls and Gerard Baker bring you the REAL truth about US politics and power. No fake news, no flag waving and no Trump Derangement Syndrome. Just honest, in-depth discussion of what’s really being said inside the White House. 

Join the conversation between two people who know everyone in the USA who matters. Beaming in from NYC, Gerard brings almost 30 years’ experience reporting on America while Katy is the new kid on the block, spending her days chasing news and her nights on the Washington cocktail circuit. 

The series launches on 28 January 2026.

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.

Welcome to the first ever episode of The State of It: USA. An attack on Iran looks imminent: we reveal what senior military and political figures are saying about it.

Also, is Donald Trump taking a softer line on immigration after the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis?

And get ready for Melania, the movie.

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

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

His enemies were hoping that Donald Trump would come out badly from the Epstein files, but he hasn't. Gerry argues that the scandal is a parable about modern capitalism, and remembers the time Jeffrey Epstein tried and failed to make friends with him. Katy tells the inside story of her interview with Peter Mandelson.

Also, what can we expect when the Clintons testify to the Epstein investigation? And what does President Trump mean when he says "nationalise the vote"?

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

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

Polls suggest the Republicans are in big trouble, and people in Washington are getting jumpy about it. It could put JD Vance in a difficult position.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on his way to meet European leaders: what's his message from the White House?

And the antisemitic influencer Nick Fuentes has hundreds of thousands of online followers: how much impact are they having on American politics in real life?

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

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

With the media spotlight on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gavin Newsom, Gerry asks if we should be looking instead at the outsiders to become the next Democratic candidate for the US presidential election in 2028. Is the Dallas Mavericks's owner Mark Cuban a dark horse? And is Stephen A. Smith a brighter, funnier Gary Lineker?

Hosts:

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

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Dan Box

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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’s State of the Union address included berating the Democrats and sweeping claims that America is entering a new golden age. But what were the real successes and missteps in the marathon speech? What trial by fire awaits the incoming British Ambassador to the United States? And why could the upcoming Texas primary prove so pivotal for the current administration?

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

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

What is the plan for Iran? Donald Trump has given 30-second interviews to many different journalists; there are disagreements in the administration and in MAGA about the decision to attack Iran. So it's a fairly confused picture coming out of the White House. And what about the special relationship between the US and the UK? President Trump has said that Keir Starmer is no Winston Churchill. Is the disagreement a blip or a rift?

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

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

In Washington people are talking about an off-ramp, but if the Iranian regime doesn't surrender, can the US really claim any kind of victory? And as sentiment in the US turns against Israel, could this war ultimately leave Israel more rather than less fragile? Meanwhile President Trump seems to be playing Marco Rubio and JD Vance off against one another.

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

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images.

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

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: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

The unpredictability of Trump’s conflict with Iran shows no sign of slowing. Is a genuine peace deal with Tehran actually close — or is the President once again overstating progress? Why did Trump abruptly announce and then abandon “Project Freedom,” the US naval plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz?

Meanwhile, Marco Rubio’s warmly received White House press briefing has sparked fresh speculation about his 2028 ambitions. And despite Trump’s declining national approval ratings, the latest Indiana primary results suggest it still pays for Republicans to stay firmly in line behind the President.

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

Image: 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.

After an assassination attempt on President Trump threatened to derail the Royal Visit, King Charles has gone on the charm offensive -- with some mild and elegant rebukes.

Katy Balls describes the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude inside the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

And as the former FBI director James Comey is charged with endangering the president's life, we discuss the weaponisation of political violence.

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

Image: 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 said he's extending the ceasefire with Iran, and it's still unclear when talks will resume. What could an eventual deal look like and can the US find a radically better one than the deal that President Obama signed in 2015 to so much Republican scorn?

Can the King paper over the cracks in the US-UK relationship?

And did a joke by President Obama sow a seed that led to Donald Trump standing for office?

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

Image: Getty Images.

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.

• Why the US counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an elegant solution
• Will Donald Trump pay a price with voters for his row with the Pope?
• And Gerry tells us what he really thinks about JD Vance.

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: TruthSocial.com/@realDonaldTrump

Clips: Reuters

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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.

• California is "a beautiful state, and they keep electing these terrible people to run it". Any chance of a change now?
• We discuss how polarisation drives the decline of character in political leadership.
• Donald Trump has suffered some political setbacks. His anti-weaponisation fund has been scrapped and his preferred candidate lost out in Iowa. Blips or signs of something more serious for the White House?
• And..."I don't know how more dishonest you can possibly be" — Gerry's excoriating review of Jill Biden's memoir.

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

Image: @spencerpratt on X

Clips: Reuters, Gettym CNN, @spencerpratt on X, @grahamformaine on X

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's pick, Ken Paxton, has won the Republican primary to set up an interesting senate race in Texas. He beat John Cornyn who joins a growing group of Republican senators who are not standing for re-election so have little to lose from standing up to Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Steve Hilton is hoping to become the Republican governor of California and Katy has spent some time with him.

We hear what people inside the Iran discussions are saying about the prospects of a deal.

And finally New York has something sporting to shout about.

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

Image: 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.

• Donald Trump has demonstrated his grip on his party in this week's Republican primaries, and dissent will be punished.
• The president has established a $1.8bn fund to compensate people who've been unfairly investigated. Critics say it's just a slush fund for his allies. We explain how it came into being, how it will work and why people are worrying about it.
• And Britain's deputy ambassador to Washington has been sacked. We have the details.

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

Image: 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.

As Donald Trump lands in China, could he change the US position on Taiwan in exchange for President Xi's help with Iran?

What's at stake in the battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman?

And is it chivalry that prompted the decision to concrete over the rose garden at the White House?

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

Image: 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.

• Welcome to the World Cup. Gianni Infantino spent much time and effort cultivating Donald Trump's friendship. Will it have been worth it? Some are complaining about America's border policies and about the price of the tickets but let's see...
• For a moment President Trump said he was going to bomb Iran, but now he's pulled back. We discuss the dizzying back and forth over the war.
• Donald Trump's birthday is approaching: not your average 80 year old.

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.

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 made a deal with Iran. On Friday, Vice President JD Vance will attend the official signing in Geneva of a 14-point US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding that covers the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear ambitions, the lifting of sanctions, a $300bn reconstruction fund for Iran and a ceasefire.

The deal has gone down badly in the US, and with good reason. Gerry argues that it's a calamity for America and a betrayal of the Iranian people.

Could it also be the undoing of JD Vance? It looks like he's been set up as the fall guy in case this all goes wrong. That could scupper his presidential ambitions.

And where does it leave Israel? Donald Trump was Israel's ally but with this deal, has he abandoned them?

00:00 - Why The Iran Deal is a Calamity

00:37 - Breaking Down the 14-Point Peace Agreement

01:54 - The $300bn Reparations" Fund Explained

03:04 - "An Almighty Raspberry": The Republican Backlash

04:05 - Inside the G7 Victory Lap vs. American Reality

06:26 - A Disastrous Blow to America’s Global Prestige

07:17 - Broken Promises & Betrayal of the Iranian Protesters

09:18 - Reza Pahlavi Interview: A Missed Window of Opportunity

11:04 - A Seismic Rift in the US-Israel Relationship

14:26 - J.D. Vance: Master Architect or Ultimate Fall Guy?

16:41 - The Core Maga Position on "Forever Wars"

17:48 - Economic Silver Linings: Oil Prices, Inflation & Interest Rates

22:33 - How Trump’s Rivals Will Use This in the 2028 Primary

26:12 - Navigating the 60-Day Negotiation Window

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

Video editor: Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images.

Audio: Times Radio, 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.

Find out why President Trump was thrilled to be on a list with Hitler, Mao and Stalin. It's one of many astonishing details in a new book, Regime Change, by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan. We pick some highlights from the book, and Katy has been speaking to authors.

As Andy Burnham prepares to take over as British prime minister, how would a more left-wing government go down in Washington and in Wall Street? Katy has interviewed the US ambassador to London, who did not speak enthusiastically about Ed Miliband. And Gerry has been speaking to senior officials and financiers who were pretty scathing about Britain's prospects.

And in New York, candidates supported by the mayor, Zohran Mamdani, have swept the board in Democratic primaries. We look at the power of the far-left and anti-Israel vote and discuss what that means for the future of the Democratic Party.

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

00:00 - The "Most Powerful Man in History" Note

00:48 - Regime Change: The Explosive New Trump Book

02:03 - Situation Room Leaks: Jeffrey Epstein & JD Vance

03:18 - The Golf Caddy's Note

06:14 - Trump 1.0 vs Trump 2.0: Is He Losing Control?

09:30 - The Secret Internal Fallout of the Iran War

14:15 - Keir Starmer Quits: Is the UK a Laughing Stock in America?

16:03 - Trump’s Ambassador Clashes with the New UK Government

20:49 - Socialists Win Big: The Shocking New York Primary Results

25:39 - The Great Corporate Exodus: Why Billionaires are Swapping California for Texas

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.

Vice-President JD Vance has said there is something very broken about British politics and that he hopes Andy Burnham can figure out how to get Britain back on track. He has spoken exclusively to Katy Balls for the Sunday Times.

They also discussed:

• Social media spats: does he regret the childless cat ladies comment?
• His faith and how it's changed him.
• And has Donald Trump read his book?

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

Read more: https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/jd-vance-interview-katy-balls-gv9z738fc

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters, Fox News

00:00 Introduction: Inside the Exclusive JD Vance Interview

00:38 Is Britain Broken? JD Vance’s Blunt Take on UK Leadership

01:47 The Truth Behind Vance's Fractured Relationship with Europe

03:53 An Anglophile at Heart? Decoding Vance’s True Motives

05:27 Revisiting the "Childless Cat Ladies" Controversy & Regrets

06:39 A Millennial VP: Social Media Fights, Faith and Persona

07:47 A Surprise Turn on Ukraine: Why Vance is Shifting Focus

09:07 Has Donald Trump Read JD Vance’s New Book?

10:30 The Road to 2028: Is JD Vance Too Polarising to Win?

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 has been thwarted by the Supreme Court over his plan to end birthright citizenship, prompting passionate reactions on both left and right. One Maga influencer has called for a ban on pregnant women travelling to the US and for the sterilisation of foreign visitors. Is the Trump v Barbara Supreme Court ruling evidence that the reports of the death of American democracy have been exaggerated?
• As America celebrates its 250th birthday at a time of bitter divisions in US politics, are there reasons to be cheerful about, well, the state of it?
• And another left-wing, anti-Israel candidate wins a Democratic primary. Melat Kiros, who has won her primary in Colorado, has said that calls for the elimination of the Israeli state should not be conflated with antisemitism. What does her win tell us about the direction of travel for the left in America, and about the future of relations between Israel and the US?

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

00:00 - Introduction: The State of It USA

00:43 - Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Ban

05:07 - King Charles, the Magna Carta, and Executive Power

06:14 - The Maga Meltdown and the "USSR" Comparison

11:09 - The Dangerous Precedent of Executive Overreach

13:32 - America at 250: Celebrating a Deeply Divided Nation

18:03 - The American State Fair and Polarised Realities

21:05 - The Rise of Anti-Israel Sentiment on the Left and Right

Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters, 9News

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 has called the Iranians scum, as he calls off ceasefire talks. At the NATO summit in Ankara, his comments on Iran, Ukraine and more have once again put allies on edge. Nigel Farage has just returned from Washington to deepen his ties with Donald Trump – but is he also borrowing Trump's political playbook to distract from increased interests in his undeclared finances ahead of the looming by-election? Gerry unpacks Trump's surprising role in that World Cup red card controversy.

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

Audio: Reuters

00:00 - Will Trump Pull Out of NATO?

00:41 - "They’re Scum" — Is the Iran Ceasefire Officially Over?

05:21 - NATO Summit Chaos: Trump Slams "Weak" European Allies

07:51 - The Absurd Battle for Greenland (Are We Planning for War?)

17:45 - Nigel Farage Resigns: Copied Straight From the Trump Playbook

26:30 - Trump’s Bizarre World Cup Intervention (The Secret FIFA Call)

31:46 - Why Trump’s Strongman Tactics Just Backfired

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.

It's groundhog day in the White House, as Donald Trump reverts back to all out war with Iran, bombing essential targets and threatening escalation if Iran refuses to open the Strait of Hormuz. Is there any genuine optimism in Washington that the regime could fall—or is this 'hit em hard' attitude a cover for a foreign policy running out of options? If there is no appetite for real military action in US politics, are we left with an Iran War being used as a political statement rather than a coherent military strategy?

Also in this episode: the Democratic Socialists of America. Centrist Democrats are making a stand against a group of socialists that include Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, promising 'capitalism not socialism', but are they being pulled leftwards on the economy? Troy Jackson, aka Johnny Cash of the Allagash, is a Democratic Socialist, and is currently favourite to replace the disgraced Graham Platner as the candidate for Maine. 

Finally, Katy Balls and Gerard Baker look ahead to Trump's prime-time address on Thursday. White House aides are increasingly nervous; Trump is expected to use the broadcast to aggressively attack the integrity of US voting system. Is the President laying the ground to nullify the upcoming midterm elections in November?

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: Handout photo by US Department of Defense via Getty Images (US sea drones strike a submarine and a ship maintenance facility on July 13, 2026 in an undisclosed area of Iran)

Audio: Fox News, AP, CBS, https://www.facebook.com/TroyJacksonmaine, Reuters

00:00 - Inside Trump's "Performance War"

01:43 - Bombing Iran: The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz

03:33 - A War with No Clear Way Out?

05:13 - Trump Unleashed & The Legacy of Lindsey Graham

06:36 - Military Strategy vs. Political Illusion in the Gulf

10:51 - Trump's History Obsession & The Shocking Oil Market Reality

15:25 - The Democratic Party's Sudden Lurch to the Left

17:07 - Can Centrist Democrats Survive the Socialist Momentum?

21:42 - The Fierce Battle Over Israel Aid & Speculation for 2028

23:57 - Meet Troy Jackson: The "Johnny Cash of the Allagash"

25:34 - Trump's "Wild Card" Speech on Election Integrity

28:07 - Laying the Groundwork to Nullify the Next Election?

29:44 - "See You In Court" — The Legal War Ahead

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today

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Andy Burnham and Donald Trump have had their first phone call. How did it go? Will President Trump find time to visit Manchester? And how is Ed Miliband's appointment as foreign secretary going down in Washington?

Also, why has the US announced 50% tariffs on goods from Canada? And JD Vance and his wife Usha have had another baby, their fourth child. How is the Secret Service coping with Vance's growing family?

Bonus episode from Times Radio.

Hugo Rifkind, Times Radio presenter

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

Producer: Amelia Melvin

Picture: Getty Images

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.

• As Andy Burnham takes over as prime minister, how will he get on with Donald Trump and what will their relationship mean for US-UK relations? President Trump wrote on Truth Social that the people of Aberdeen are dancing in the streets because Burnham will open up North Sea Oil, and will "make the United Kingdom, from a Poverty Stricken Disaster, to one of the Richest Countries anywhere in the World!" But is Burnham as enthusiastic about drilling as Trump thinks he is? And what other issues could make or break their relationship?
• After three US servicemen died over the weekend, will the US feel obliged to escalate the war with Iran to avenge their deaths? Is there a danger that they get locked into a cycle of escalation with Iran?
• Plus, does Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey set the lights flashing on Gerry's woke radar?

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, Sophie Dolding

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters, The Odyssey trailer

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 is having meetings with both Binyamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. What can we expect?

Also, new footage of Lindsey Graham before his death reveals more about his attitude to Iran.

And how does Donald Trump do when he's delivering jokes that have been written for him?

Produced in partnership with Times Radio

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and Sunday Times

Carolyn Quinn, presenter, Times Radio

Producers: Tom Vigar, Amelia Melvin

Picture: Getty Images

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.

US foreign policy shifts on Ukraine: President Zelensky and President Trump have met in the White House and US-Ukraine relations are on a much friendlier footing than at any time since Donald Trump returned to office.

They agreed that the US will give Ukraine licences to make their own Patriot missile interceptors to protect from Russian attacks, and there's talk that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could make a trip to Ukraine.

Maga influencer Laura Loomer went from saying that Ukraine was full of Nazis to being a cheerleader for President Zelensky. That shift in opinion seems to have filtered through to the Oval Office, but how much has Trump's position shifted? And how has the war in Iran changed his view on Russia and Ukraine?

The Battle for Fifa: after Martyn Ziegler's Times scoop that Fifa's president Gianni Infantino is planning to sell off parts of Fifa to private investors, even Andy Burnham has weighed in to telegraph his disapproval...is the reaction justified or "complete balderdash"?

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

Audio: 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.

What's the best way of avoiding an Iranian assassination attempt? Turns out it's hiding out in a catering truck and using Air Force One as a decoy. Katy Balls takes us inside the clandestine operation.

Produced in partnership with Times Radio

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and Sunday Times

Ed Vaizey, presenter, Times Radio

Producers: Amelia Melvin

Picture: Getty Images

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.

One of America's largest states is set to nominate left-wing candidate Abdul El-Sayed. His victory in the Democratic primary is the latest sign that the party is shifting decisively to the left. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, Francesca Hong has defeated her opponent despite previously arguing that Thanksgiving should be cancelled. Is America on the verge of embracing democratic socialism after 250 years, or can MAGA prove it is still the true standard-bearer of the American spirit?

Plus, just how damaging has the war with Iran become for Donald Trump as US military stockpiles begin to run low? What does it mean for America's ability to project power abroad?

And why is Trump threatening a US attorney and an Olympic swimmer over a body of water?

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

Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters, CNN

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 is a growing sense of blasé indifference within the MAGA movement over Trump's war with Iran. Could that complacency come back to haunt Republicans at the midterm elections?

There's also a growing rift between Donald Trump and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro after she dropped charges in a high-profile vandalism case, prompting fresh questions about loyalty and power inside the administration.

Finally, with democratic socialist candidates on the rise, Katy and Gerry ask whether the Democrats' leftward shift is the key to winning back power—or a gamble that could cost them the midterms.

Produced in partnership with Times Radio

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and Sunday Times

Ed Vaizey, presenter, Times Radio

Producers: Erin Carney

Picture: Getty Images

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.