The State of It: USA

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 RadioKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and Sunday TimesEd Vaizey, presenter, Times RadioProducers: Amelia MelvinPicture: Getty Images

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 TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonPicture: Getty ImagesAudio: Reuters, CNN

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 RadioKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and Sunday TimesEd Vaizey, presenter, Times RadioProducers: Erin CarneyPicture: Getty Images

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 TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty ImagesAudio: Reuters

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 RadioKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and Sunday TimesCarolyn Quinn, presenter, Times RadioProducers: Tom Vigar, Amelia MelvinPicture: Getty Images

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 presenterKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesProducer: Amelia MelvinPicture: Getty Images