Checks and Balance from The Economist

The outcome of November’s election matters beyond America’s borders. With conflicts raging in Europe and the Middle East and China on the rise, come next January either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will have a stacked foreign policy in-tray. How would their approaches differ?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, and former US ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcast

Immigration has been one of the Democrats’ weakest issues. Now, Kamala Harris is trying to go on the offensive and attack Republicans over border security. Will the political pivot work? And Donald Trump has promised mass deportations if he's elected. Is that even possible? How seriously should that pledge be taken?John Prideaux hosts with Adam O’Neal and Idrees Kahloon. Lanae Erickson of centre-left think tank Third Way, and The Economist’s Aryn Braun also contribute.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Jubilant Democrats gathered in Chicago this week to anoint Kamala Harris as their nominee. But amid the pageantry and praise, what do we know about the policies Kamala Harris would pursue in the Oval Office? And how much will that matter in this election? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by Bharat Ramamurti, former deputy director of the National Economic Council, and The Economist’s James Bennet.Runtime: 53 minsTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

One of the few things Republicans and Democrats agree on is a desire to help America’s “left-behind”. This group was particularly hit by the industrial decline of the second half of the twentieth century and globalisation. But now they’re doing better than they have in years, despite manufacturing jobs still disappearing. Why is this? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Callum Williams, and Mark Muro from Brookings. Runtime: 50 minTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

With suburban voters playing a crucial role in past American elections, attention has turned to how they will influence the 2024 presidential race. These swing voters helped elect Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. What impact will suburban America have on the contest this time around?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Daniella Raz and Stevie Hertz.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

With Kamala Harris all-but-confirmed as the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, attention has turned to who she’ll add to the ticket. It’ll be one of the most important decisions of her campaign. How could her running-mate affect the election?Charlotte Howard hosts with Idrees Kahloon and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by James Hamilton, who has vetted running-mates for four Democratic nominees, and The Economist’s James Bennet. Runtime: 48 minsTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Within hours of Joe Biden announcing he would not run again, Kamala Harris emerged as the Democrat’s presumptive nominee. But despite decades in the public eye, Vice President Harris is still a mystery. What sort of presidential candidate will she be in 2024? And can she win?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s visiting senior editor Steve Coll and political data scientist Owen Winter.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Despite the horrific assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the mood at the Republican National Convention has been joyous and triumphant. Trump’s takeover of the party is complete: the platform sounds like him, former rivals have kissed the ring and his choice for vice-president preaches to the converted. What does the Republican Party stand for now? And where would it take America?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by Kevin Roberts, the President of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Despite calls that he is unfit to serve, Joe Biden is determined to stay in the race for president. He's not the only politician reluctant to let go. America's legislators are the oldest in the OECD, a club of mostly rich countries. What's behind their staying power at the top of politics? And what impact have they had on the country?Charlotte Howard hosts with John Prideaux and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute and Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.