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The State of It: USA
The Times
Is Iran getting reckless?
OCT 6, 202629 MIN
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Description
The threat from Iran
The Trump administration has given mixed messages about exactly why US jets have been moved from RAF Fairford. It's still unclear whether there was a terror plot and whether Iran was involved and no one has been charged, but there's speculation that Iran could be activating terror cells around the world.
Midterm U-turn
Donald Trump has made a rare U-turn. He has said he plans to pay for controversial television ads using funds from his Maga Inc. super Pac rather than the federal government after being accused of using taxpayers' money for campaign ads.
America's death penalty problem
The Pentagon has announced that the Fort Hood attacker, Nidal Hasan, will be executed by firing squad. Hasan fatally shot 13 unarmed US soldiers in 2009, injuring another 32. The announcement comes just after Tennessee's botched execution of Christa Pike. We look at the history of the death penalty in America and ask if there really is any way to kill someone without violating the US constitution, which bans cruel and unusual punishment.
What went wrong with Doge?
Katy has interviewed Michael Lewis whose new book Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State tells the story of the people who stood up against Doge. Elon Musk and his team of young cost-cutters would even set up camp in government buildings.
Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal
Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness
Picture: Getty Images
Audio: Reuters, @WhiteHouse on X
00:00 - Is Iran’s Strategy a Sign of Strength or Weakness?
00:18 - B-1 Stealth Bombers Pulled After RAF Fairford Arrests
01:35 - Washington Weighs the Iranian Drone Threat
04:38 - Are U.S. Bases Worldwide Becoming Easy Targets?
08:44 - Soaring Diesel Prices & Trump's Midterm Nightmare
10:53 - Trump Backs Down On Federal-Funded Campaign Ads
13:55 - The Death Penalty: Botched Executions vs. Firing Squads
21:42 - Michael Lewis Exposes What Really Happened Inside DOGE
23:32 - Why Elon Musk’s Government Cuts Completely Failed
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
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