logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
30m 31s

A power vacuum in Washington and chaos i...

GLOBAL
About this episode

Just one week ago Kevin McCarthy was booted unceremoniously out of his job as House Speaker.

No one could have foreseen then how different the world would look four days later when Hamas wreaked tragedy across Israel. Now there’s a power vacuum in Washington and an unfolding catastrophe in the Middle East. What power does America have to help?

Biden U-turns and starts to build more border wall in the South - with cries of hypocrisy from the right and anger from parts of his own party in the left.

And later - the rise of another Kennedy? Robert Kennedy Junior - conspiracist and now independent candidate for the presidency - thinks he can win. Blimey.

Editor: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents USA".

Up next
Aug 20
Do Dems have to sound like Trump to beat him?
We start with the fallout from the unorthodox, perhaps undignifying diplomatic spectacle at the White House earlier this week. We are a million miles away from any peace deal in Ukraine, let alone any concrete shape of the 'security guarantees' Donald Trump has suggested may hypo ... Show More
33m 30s
Aug 13
Trump's Cultural Revolution: the dismantling of truth
Why is a Texas politician camped out in an undisclosed location, hiding from the FBI, and fearing that democracy is on the line? Jolanda Jones tells us about the extraordinary standoff taking place in her state.But first - what is Trump doing to crime figures, jobs numbers, museu ... Show More
41m 19s
Aug 6
Why don't Americans trust Trump on Epstein?
Trump's inner circle are heading to the Vice President's residence for what was supposed to be a secret summit to discuss the administration's strategy regarding the Epstein crisis that has engulfed the President.Polling shows that the American public are increasingly convinced t ... Show More
34m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
Christiane Amanpour on Biden's Iran Dilemma
The world waits to see how the United States will retaliate to a drone strike that killed three American troops in Jordan, after an Iran-backed militia group claimed responsibility for the attack.Christiane Amanpour, the Iranian-British Chief International Anchor for CNN, is our ... Show More
47m 22s
Jan 2023
Chaos at the Heart of US Government
The House of Representatives tries (and so far fails) to elect a Speaker. The US House of Representatives has been in deadlock for days after the new Republican majority failed to elect their leading contender Kevin McCarthy as the new Speaker. Americast chats to one of the Repub ... Show More
44m 16s
Jan 2023
A Crisis of Kevin McCarthy’s Own Making
This episode contains strong language.  Republicans are set to take control of the House of Representatives for the first time in four years. The transition is shaping up to be chaotic. Today, the 118th Congress will gather for the first time in the Capitol, yet there is still a ... Show More
33m 19s
Oct 2023
Leaders Of The Free World?
President Biden wanted to show America’s global strength during his flying visit to Israel this week, but does the United States still call the shots internationally? The Americast team reviews Biden’s high-stakes 30 hours in the region, talks about the misinformation swirling ar ... Show More
33m 37s
Sep 2023
Michael Heseltine on Suella, Enoch Powell and saving Liverpool
Michael Heseltine is a politician with a long political memory. He heard Neville Chamberlain declare war on Germany in 1939. He saw Suez unfold. He attended Churchill’s funeral. He’s served Conservative prime minister after Conservative prime minister and became the man who event ... Show More
38m 3s
Sep 2023
Why the Government is About to Shut Down
A showdown between House Republicans and their leader, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is heading toward a government shutdown.Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for The Times, explains the causes and consequences of the looming crisis.Guest: Carl Hulse, is chief Washington corre ... Show More
25m 3s
Aug 2022
A dizzying week in global politics
China’s live fire drills in the Taiwan strait have provided an explosive finale to a dizzying week in global politics. Beijing is making good on its promise that Taipei would pay the price for hosting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this week, a visit that came just after the ... Show More
54m 55s
Apr 2024
Will Labour just be another version of the Tories?
It is a truth near-universally acknowledged (amongst pollsters at least) that Labour will be the largest party at the next election. But how would they actually differ from the Tories in terms of what they do once in power?They've pledged not to raise taxes and not to remove the ... Show More
36m 39s
Nov 2023
Is there hope for peace in the Middle East?
In an extended interview, Jon speaks to Layla Moran, the only MP with Palestinian heritage and the Lib Dem MP for West Oxford and Abingdon.She talks about her family in Gaza, peace talks and how hope gets her through everyday.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Me ... Show More
32m 26s
Oct 2023
The UK politics of Israel-Palestine
Over the weekend, Palestinian flags flooded central London as thousands marched for 'Free Palestine'. But has legitimate support for the rights of Palestinian citizens been merged with more sinister support, or acquiescence of, the presence of Hamas, a deeply illiberal, misogynis ... Show More
37m 14s