1 big thing

The Trump administration announced yesterday they would withdraw around 2,000 troops from Afghanistan by Jan. 15, 2021. This comes after President Trump’s Pentagon shake up last week when he fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and a few other officials. Plus, corporate America's failure to retain Black employees. And, a new group wants to jumpstart electric car sales. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler, Erica Pandey and Ben GemanCredits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Trump to cut troops in Afghanistan, but not to zero Corporate America's revolving door for Black employees Corporate heavyweights ramp up electric vehicle lobbying push

Yesterday, the biotech company Moderna announced their coronavirus vaccine was nearly 95% effective at preventing illness during its preliminary testing. This comes a week after Pfizer announced a similarly successful vaccine. Plus, big tech's post-election woes. And, how sports media is adapting to a new generation. Guests: Axios' Sam Baker, Sara Fischer, and Kendall Baker.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Moderna's chief medical officer on its blockbuster vaccine news Tech's election post mortem: Better than 2016, but lots of new woes Cable TV's slow, painful death

President Trump has 10 weeks left in office. In that time, we can expect to see him crackdown on China to try to cement his contentious foreign policy with the Asian nation. Plus, AI in the military. And, why investors are excited about AirBnb going public. Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Dan Primack and Bryan Walsh.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Scoop: Trump plans last-minute China crackdown The military is calling in AI for support

We are a moment in American history where there is a reckoning and awareness about the way things have been done. The widespread protests this summer have injected further urgency - and change. That’s true when it comes to community policing. But it’s also now affecting police who work in nearly half of America’s public schools.Guests: Jackie Byers, executive director of the Black Organizing Project, and Clarence Cox, former chief of Clayton County Public Schools Police Department.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper:

The pandemic has taken a toll on how much working parents are able to contribute to their jobs and the economy - and now businesses are facing a reckoning - fill the gap and help working parents with childcare or risk hurting their own bottom lines. Plus, President Trump’s post-election endgame. And, how a future vaccine could be good news for the airline industry. Guests: Axios' Erica Pandey, Margaret Talev and Joann Muller.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: The business case for child care Department of Homeland Security calls election "the most secure in American history" Vaccine offers hope for airlines - and a big logistical challenge How to watch SpaceX's next crewed launch

Joe Biden currently leads President Donald Trump in the popular vote by more than 5 million ballots cast. And news organizations have projected he'll capture 290 electoral college votes, 20 more than needed to win the presidency. But, Donald Trump is actively resisting the results - which begs the question - does he actually have a constitutional path to prevent Joe Biden from taking the oath of office on January 20th. Plus, Biden’s tall task when it comes to climate change. And, an El Paso nurse's story from the COVID frontlines. Guests: Axios' Amy Harder, Harvard University constitutional law professor Noah Feldman and registered nurse Arianna Lucio from Del Sol Medical Center.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: The Electoral College play Trump’s Desperate Assault on American Democracy Election likely hardens political limits of Biden climate agenda Defense Department sends medical teams to El Paso as COVID-19 cases surge

The pandemic, a historic election and all of 2020's other events have caused a huge amount of stress. That's why today, we're bringing you a special deep dive about the physiological affects of that prolonged anxiety - and the ways in which we can maintain a sense of normalcy during this abnormal time.Guests: Yale psychology professor and host of "The Happiness Lab" Dr. Laurie Santos.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: The Happiness Lab Otis' Dream: The right to vote

Yesterday, the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer announced its coronavirus vaccine trial was effective at preventing infections in 90% of previously uninfected people.As of now, there don't yet appear to be any serious safety concerns associated with the vaccine. This could be a major breakthrough in the fight against the virus, but there's still a lot left to figure out. Plus, Trump loyalists tell federal employees the election isn’t over yet. And, pollster problems post-vote. Guests: Axios' Sam Baker, Jonathan Swan, and Sara Kehaulani Goo.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Pfizer CEO says he would've released vaccine data before election if possible Leaked call audio shows Trump officials denying election results Scoop: Trump privately discussing 2024 run Worried pollsters admit huge problem

It has been 54 hours since the election was called for President-elect Joe Biden which means the pressure is already on for him to name his cabinet appointees. That pressure comes both from the moderates who supported him in the election, and from the left to acknowledge the progressive wing of the Democratic party. Plus, how president-elect Biden plans to combat coronavirus. And, why Twitter stopped labeling many misleading tweets. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Caitlin Owens, and Ashley Gold.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: 1 big thing ... Scoop: Biden may keep Warren, Sanders out of Cabinet Scoop: Biden to announce COVID-19 task force Monday Joe Biden's uphill climb to control the coronavirus Twitter pares back some election labels after race is called

This is an Axios Election 2020 special. President-elect Joe Biden will enter office with some of the biggest challenges any American leader has ever faced. Axios’s Margaret Talev, Mike Allen, and Jim VandeHei join us break down what he’s up against.