Leaders in crisis: A Keir Starmer inquiry and embattled Friedrich Merz

Robin Lustig and Alex von Tunzelmann discuss the American troop drawdown in Germany and Mark Carney joining a summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan. Plus: Joe Luc Barnes’s book, ‘Farewell to Russia’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller and Rob Bound return for a quiz on the week’s headlines. Then: Charlotte McDonald-Gibson joins from Washington to dissect King Charles’s visit, pageantry and speech before US Congress. Plus: music from Corb Lund and Hayes Carll.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the latest call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, who both find themselves in wars with no obvious end. Then: Greece and Ukraine hit a stumbling block on drone co-operation. Plus: can anonymity on the internet be banned?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the drivers behind Putin scaling back this year’s Victory Day commemorations. Then: The Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire teeters and former FBI director James Comey faces fresh charges from the Trump administration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keir Starmer’s days as PM might be numbered as MPs vote on an inquiry into his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Then: Friedrich Merz nears one year as German chancellor with historically low approval ratings. Plus: breaking news with Manus Cranny as the UAE leaves Opec.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles III goes to Washington to rescue the special relationship and France is talking about Jordan Bardella’s love affair with a Sicilian princess. What is it with our royal fascination? Plus: how Germany’s Bundeswehr plans to lead Europe’s military rearmament and ‘madman theory’ with James D Boys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Nelson takes on Rob Bound in the weekly quiz and Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton round up their week at Salone del Mobile. Plus: An alternative look at the recent news cycle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more ships are seized in and around the Strait of Hormuz and an uneasy ceasefire continues, our panel assesses which countries are best equipped – politically and economically – to withstand the shocks that continue to reverberate around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore US president Donald Trump’s ceasefire extension and how Iran has seemingly managed to control much of the narrative without even attending talks in Islamabad – and also through an extraordinary amount of memes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hungary is poised to end its blockade of an EU loan for Ukraine while Sweden suggests that Russia is hiding its economic troubles. Plus: auditions for the next United Nations secretary general begin in New York. Then: an interview with Venetian chef Simon Piovesan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.