Checks and Balance from The Economist

“America doesn’t have to constantly police every region of the world,” J.D. Vance said on the 2024 campaign trail. A war with Iran seemed to him a particularly bad idea. Donald Trump attacked Tehran anyway. How much influence does J.D. Vance, and his ideas, have over Donald Trump’s presidency? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, US editorCharlotte Howard, New York bureau chiefJames Bennet, Lexington columnistOren Cass, founder of American CompassJoel K.Goldstein, scholar of the vice presidencyTopics covered:J.D. Vance’s ideologyThe history of the vice presidencyTranscripts 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.

Donald Trump announced a two-week pause to the war with Iran on Tuesday evening. Days later, the agreement seems shaky at best. Where does this leave the president and the rest of America?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, US editor and host of “Checks and Balance”Charlotte Howard, New York bureau chief and executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistTopics covered:Iran war ceasefireIsraelDonald TrumpTranscripts 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.

“Liberal” has become an epithet in American politics. The left wing of the Democratic Party now prefers “progressive”. But author and columnist Adrian Wooldridge argues that classical liberalism—beliefs in individualism, checks on power, and open debate—needs to be tweaked, not abandoned.Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor and host of “Checks and Balance”Adrian Wooldridge, author of “Centrists of the World Unite!”Topics covered:LiberalismPolitical polarisationBig techTranscripts 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.

The relationship between America and Israel has always been close, but seldom easy. Even before the joint attacks on Iran, many Americans were souring on the alliance. Could the war do lasting damage to the US-Israeli bond?Guests and hosts:Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent, former Washington correspondentJames Bennet, Lexington columnistRebecca Jackson, US correspondentAnshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentTopics covered:Divides over Israel within the Democratic and Republican partiesBinyamin Netanyahu’s influence on AmericaThe view from IsraelTranscripts 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.

As a net exporter of energy America should be better placed to weather an oil shock than most. But the Iran war comes at a time when consumer confidence is already languishing at record lows. How will the war affect America’s economy, and Americans’ perception of it? Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, New York bureau chief and executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistArchie Hall, US economics editorJoshua Blank, Research Director of the Texas Politics ProjectAjay Rajadhyaksha, Global Chairman of Research at Barclays,Topics covered:American petro-statesHow energy crises hurt incumbentsThe wider US economyTranscripts 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.

There’s often a rally-round-the-flag effect when a president takes a country to war. But not for Donald Trump: his approval rating is stalling at near 40%. That’s almost identical to the percentage of Americans who support the attacks on Iran. What are the political consequences of the war? Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, New York bureau chief and executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistRobert Guest, deputy editorSam Beal, Washington correspondentAdam Smith, Democratic congressmanTopics covered:MAGA support for the warWhy Iran is less popular than previous conflictsHow Democrats should respondTranscripts 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.

America and Israel are dominating their war with Iran. It’s a stunning operational success, but strategically the picture is more mixed. Although Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, the regime remains; conflict has spread beyond Iran’s borders and Americans, mostly, aren’t on board. Does Donald Trump have a plan? And what would a US victory look like? Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, New York bureau chief and executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistJon Fasman, senior culture correspondent, former Washington correspondentEd Carr, deputy editorRobert Malley, former US Special Envoy for IranTopics covered:The progress of the warDonald Trump’s history with IranThe response at home and abroadTranscripts 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.

The isolationist-in-chief has sent two aircraft carriers to waters near Iran. The moves may intimidate Iranian leadership to make concessions on its nuclear program. But is there a diplomatic off ramp? Trump hasn’t told America his goals; are he and the country ready for another war? Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, New York bureau chief, host of ‘Checks and Balance”James Bennet, Lexington columnistJon Fasman, senior culture correspondent, former Washington correspondentShashank Joshi, defence editor Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentTopics covered:America’s military buildup near IranIran nuclear deal 12 day Israel-Iran warTranscripts 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.

America’s legislature is ineffective, and unsatisfying for the people serving in it. A record number of lawmakers will leave and never return at the end of this term. Congressional leadership has taken over the writing of bills. And fundraising consumes the rank and file’s time. So who still wants the job? And what can make Congress effective again?Guests and hosts: Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent, former Washington correspondentJames Bennet, Lexington columnist, co-host of Checks and BalanceSamuel Beal, Washington correspondentPaul Begala, former adviser to President Bill ClintonTopics covered: CongressTax Reform Act of 1986Political polarisationTranscripts 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.