The State of It: USA

No grand strategy on Iran, just vibes

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 TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis 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 White House's mixed messages on Iran

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 TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis 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 Trump got right and wrong at the State of the Union address

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 TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis 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 Democratic Trump? AOC shapes up to take on JD Vance

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 TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Dan BoxEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis 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.

Is America past peak Trump?

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 TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis 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.