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Checks and Balance from The Economist
Checks and Balance: The 20 year epidemic, part 2
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American authorities confiscated a record amount of illegal fentanyl along the southwest border in 2022. But even so, last year will still likely see the highest number of fatal overdoses in America’s 20-year opioid epidemic. In this episode–our second on the opioid epidemic–we trace the supply chain from China to the southern border, via Mexico. Can that supply route be interrupted? And how do America’s relationships with China and Mexico affect the flow of drugs?
San Diego’s mayor, Todd Gloria, describes the effect fentanyl has had on his city. Alan Bersin, former commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, discusses the state of the southern border. Arturo Sarukhan, former Mexican ambassador to America, talks us through Mexico’s role in stopping trafficking. And Representative David Trone explains how the United States’ relationship with China has changed the supply chain.
John Prideaux hosts with Aryn Braun and Idrees Kahloon.
This is the second part of a short series looking at the opioid epidemic in America. This episode considers the supply for the drugs–a few weeks ago we dove into the demand.
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Is this the end of the Trump era?
45:17|Democrats had an outstandingly good midterms. For a decade now Donald Trump has been the dominant force in American politics: has that come to an end? And where do both parties go from here? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorCharlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefTopics covered:The midterms resultsTrump’s lame-duck presidencyWhat Democrats will do with powerYou can find a filmed version of this episode at economist.com/insider, or click the video tab on The Economist appTranscripts 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+
The midterms preview
51:31|There’s only a few days to go. Will discontent with Donald Trump bring Democrats victory in the midterm elections? We look at the races and voters that will decide power in Washington, and consider why these midterms matter. Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefDan Rosenheck, data editorOwen Winter, data journalist Topics covered:The races that will decide control in WashingtonClosing arguments from both sidesSwing voters 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+
How could Donald Trump interfere with the midterms?
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The data centre backlash
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The Christian vote
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Donald Trump is trying to reshape the media
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How voters feel about Donald Trump’s policies
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Will America’s politicians do something about AI?
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Why Republicans might lose the midterms
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