The State of It: USA

Why the US counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an elegant solutionWill Donald Trump pay a price with voters for his row with the Pope?And Gerry tells us what he really thinks about JD Vance.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: TruthSocial.com/@realDonaldTrumpClips: ReutersEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

After threatening Iran with total civilisational collapse, Donald Trump steps back from the brink and agrees to a fragile ceasefire that both sides claim as a win. But how long can it really hold?And as Hungary heads to the polls, JD Vance lands in Budapest to back Viktor Orbán—a leader often seen as aligned with Moscow. What does it mean when the White House throws its weight behind a pro-Russia candidate in one of Europe’s most consequential elections?Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesFraser Nelson, columnist at The TimesProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty Images.Clips: Reuters

President Trump has addressed the nation about the war in Iran for the first time. What did we learn?This is a bonus episode. For this week's regular episode, click hereKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesFraser Nelson, columnist at The TimesProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty Images.Clips: ReutersEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

Forget the fog of war, this is the fog of Donald Trump. How much does he care about the political pressure created by the war in Iran? Is America entering the end game or ramping up operations? Also, how are the grassroots feeling? Katy has been to the Conservative Political Action Conference to find out. And we look at the secret life (and enormous fake breasts) of Kristi Noem's husband, Byron Noem.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 Images.Clips: ReutersEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

Donald Trump is in a bind: there's very little appetite in Washington for boots on the ground but will that be the only way to unblock the Strait of Hormuz? Is there any possible deal that would look and feel like a victory over the Iranian regime?And why do people start looking more nervously at the president towards the weekend?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 Images.Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

There are some reasons for the US to be optimistic about the war in Iran, but have the main beneficiaries so far been America's enemies?The resignation of a counterterrorism official has ignited a debate about antisemitism in US politics.Could Tucker Carlson really be the next president?And what on earth is a shamrock shake?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 Images.Clip: CBS NewsEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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 GuinnessPicture: Getty ImagesEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

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 GuinnessPicture: Getty ImagesEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk