Americast

Eric Schmitt, New York Times national security correspondent with decades covering the Pentagon, breaks down Pete Hegseth’s rise from Fox News to Defence Secretary. He discusses Hegseth’s religious rhetoric, sweeping leadership changes, DEI rollbacks, tightened press access, and whether this role could be a springboard for bigger political ambitions.

Tense talk on threats against Iran and how those threats led to a fragile two week ceasefire. Discussion of who in the Republican sphere is pushing back and what that means for political stability. A look at Trump’s talk of charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider strategic uncertainty about uranium, regional influence and US options going forward.

A fast-paced look at Venezuela’s changing politics, Maduro’s trial and why US strikes at sea stay under the radar. A debate over who could steer Venezuela next and whether outsider politicians can win. An early check on Zohran Mamdani’s first weeks in office and whether big campaign promises can survive city budgets. Plus a chat about why high-speed rail never took off in the United States.

Jim Messina, political strategist who ran Obama’s 2012 re-election, tackles Democratic prospects for November. He discusses recent local wins, why taking back the House is crucial, the surprising Senate map, worries about election integrity, and the need for a unifying affordability message. He also previews early 2028 jockeying and why electability and authenticity will shape future candidates.

A deep dive into the Supreme Court showdown over ending birthright citizenship. They unpack the constitutional fight over the 14th Amendment and the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction." The program explores real-world effects on immigrant families, wealthy birth tourism, and how the case reshapes immigration politics and party divides.

They unpack Trump's threat to seize Kharg Island and the ambiguity around his messaging. The conversation covers the US military buildup versus talks, and whether China or Israel could be drawn in. They probe allegations of suspicious oil trading and ask who might be held accountable for decisions that could escalate the conflict.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from making big changes to vaccines for children in the United States. It’s a blow to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy - RFK Jr - a longtime vaccine sceptic who was given free rein by Donald Trump to “go wild with health”.Since taking office a year ago, Kennedy has sought to slash the number of recommended shots for children from 17 to 11. The American Academy of Paediatrics and other large medical groups have sued, saying Kennedy's changes violate federal law and are based on ideology instead of science. In this episode, Marianna and Justin unpack what this means for Donald Trump’s big plan to - as he puts it - "Make America Healthy Again” with Dr Debra Houry, the former director of the CDC (Centre of Disease Control and Prevention) who resigned in August 2025. HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent GUEST: • Dr Debra Houry, former Medical Director of the Centres for Disease Control and PreventionGET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #AmericastAPPLY FOR CASTFEST TICKETS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026This episode was made by Emma Close and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm

A deep dive into the proposed SAVE Act and its push for national voter ID and proof of citizenship. Discussion of how the bill ties to homeland security funding and causes airport security delays. Debate over who would gain or lose politically from tighter voting rules. A recent Democratic flip in a Palm Beach district and its implications for midterm momentum.

They probe claims of secret US‑Iran talks and why Tehran publicly denies them. The discussion looks at who might be relaying messages and how realistic US demands are. They also dig into political stakes at home, including effects on oil prices and Trump’s inner circle.

Dean Ball, former AI adviser to the Trump administration, now a commentator critical of some Pentagon moves. He discusses Anthropic’s stand against DoD demands, the company’s two red lines about surveillance and autonomous weapons, and the legal and political fallout around a major defense contract. The conversation also covers how policymakers misunderstand AI and the risks of heavy-handed government pressure.