Danielle Stephens

Jonathan Freedland speaks with New York Times journalist Jonathan Swan about how Donald Trump’s second term differs from his first. They examine the disappearance of political and legal constraints on Trump, his consolidation of executive power, and the potential consequences for the US economy, immigration policy, the presidency and the wider world.

The video examines how Donald Trump’s second term differs from his first, arguing that political opponents and institutional checks have weakened. New York Times journalist Jonathan Swan discusses with Jonathan Freedland how Trump has expanded executive power to reshape the economy, immigration policy and the presidency, and considers the consequences for the United States and the wider world.

Cameroon’s 93-year-old president, Paul Biya, has not been publicly seen for weeks after spending 59 days in Switzerland, prompting a government spokesperson to affirm that he is alive and will return soon. The podcast examines who is governing the country in his absence, why public discussion of his health is constrained, and what succession could look like as Cameroonians consider the country’s next chapter.

Calvin Duncan spent 28 years in a Louisiana prison for a murder he did not commit before being exonerated. At 64, he sought an administrative position intended to help inmates access their criminal records, but Republicans allegedly prevented him from assuming the role, ending his brief political career. The story presents Duncan’s experience as an example of racial and criminal-justice injustice and of what Olly Laughland describes as “competitive authoritarianism” in Trump’s America.

A Guardian Audio Long Read episode revisits Maya Goodfellow’s 2019 investigation into the increasingly difficult and expensive process of navigating Britain’s immigration system. The episode argues that government hostility is reflected throughout the system and includes a new introduction from the author, with narration by Lucy Scott.

Donald Trump has announced a landmark nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia while seeking to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Jonathan Freedland and New York Times congressional correspondent Robert Jimison discuss what the agreement contains, why it matters, and how it may be received in the United States and across the Gulf, including the political obstacles it could face.

Mark Lawson and Nosheen Iqbal examine the BBC’s funding crisis after director general Matt Brittin warned that the rapid decline in licence fee payments places the broadcaster in “real jeopardy.” The discussion considers the BBC’s public value, its renewed campaign to justify the licence fee, and possible alternatives for sustaining the national broadcaster in an increasingly competitive media market.

Tim Burrows returns to Epping, Essex, one year after an alleged sexual assault involving an asylum seeker staying at the Bell hotel triggered violent protests by local demonstrators and far-right activists. The podcast examines the impact of the unrest on residents, counter-protests against racism, Elon Musk’s involvement, what happened to the hotel and its asylum-seeking occupants, and how the town recovered after a summer of conflict.

A Politics Weekly America discussion examines the US strikes on Iran and Donald Trump's declaration that a fragile ceasefire had ended. It also considers his renewed threats to take Greenland and his contrasting display of unity and affection at the NATO summit in Ankara, asking how diplomatic progress can be achieved when the president repeatedly reopens settled disputes.

The podcast examines the US launch of strikes on Iran and Donald Trump’s declaration that a recently co-signed ceasefire was over. It also discusses Trump’s renewed threats to take Greenland and his more conciliatory public tone at the NATO summit in Ankara. Jonathan Freedland and Susan Glasser consider how diplomatic progress can be achieved when the US president appears to be repeating earlier confrontational patterns.

The podcast reviews an extraordinary World Cup match in which Cape Verde pushed Argentina to extra time before Argentina advanced to face Egypt. It also covers Egypt’s penalty-shootout victory over Australia, which ended despite Harry Souttar’s strong defensive display, and Colombia’s win over Ghana. The hosts preview upcoming matches and answer listener questions.

Jonathan Freedland discusses with Atlantic writer Yoni Appelbaum how Donald Trump is positioning himself at the center of celebrations marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The conversation examines why many Americans feel less patriotic and considers the political implications of turning a national anniversary into a vehicle for Trump's personal image.

Jonathan Freedland speaks with Atlantic writer Yoni Appelbaum about the United States’ 250th anniversary and argues that Donald Trump is using the celebrations to center himself. The discussion examines why many Americans feel less patriotic and considers how Trump’s political influence is reshaping the meaning of the national occasion.

France’s dominant World Cup performance against Sweden raises questions about whether any team can challenge them, with Mbappé, Barcola, Dembélé and Olise leading relentless attacks. Haaland’s late goal sends Norway into the last 16 to face Brazil, while Mexico continue to look formidable. The panel previews upcoming matches, including England versus DR Congo, and answers listener questions.

France strengthened their status as World Cup favourites by beating a much-changed Norway 4–1 and preserving a 100% tournament record, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring a hat-trick. Senegal moved close to the round of 32 after a 5–0 victory over Iraq, while Cape Verde reached the knockout stage at their first World Cup after drawing Saudi Arabia for a third consecutive match. The episode also previews the final group fixtures, including England without Reece James, alongside listener questions and discussion.

The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington, DC, must be drained again after failing to remain the intended American-flag blue. Donald Trump has blamed vandalism, but the costly project is presented as an embarrassing failure that reflects the administration’s focus on image and its difficulty escaping political accountability.

The podcast reviews the latest 2026 World Cup matches, highlighting Ecuador’s late win over Germany to reach the last 32 and Australia’s qualification after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay. It also covers the United States-Turkey match, the Netherlands winning Group F, Japan and Sweden advancing after a 1-1 draw, Tunisia’s poor tournament, and previews the next six fixtures while answering listener questions.

The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington, DC, must be drained again after efforts to keep its water “American flag blue” failed. Donald Trump has blamed vandalism, but the podcast argues that the costly project exposes the limits of his image-focused politics and his inability to avoid uncomfortable realities.

Donald Trump has signed a 14-point agreement with Iran aimed at ending a war he helped start and is now turning his attention back to peace efforts in Ukraine. Jenna Amatulli discusses with Guardian journalist Andrew Roth whether the Iran deal can succeed and how realistic Trump's renewed focus on Ukraine is.