The Trump administration wants wholesale change in Cuba. Since America cut off oil supplies to the island earlier this year life there has become increasingly difficult. How much longer can Cuba’s regime stagger on?

Guests and hosts:

• John Prideaux, US editor and host of “Checks and Balance”
• Charlotte Howard, executive editor
• James Bennet, Lexington columnist
• Sarah Birke, bureau chief for Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean
• Hugo Cancio, Cuban-American businessman

Topics covered:

• Conditions within Cuba
• The history of US-Cuba relations
• What might happen next on the island

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Next week a ferocious primary battle will come to an end when voters have their first say on who will be California’s next governor. Policy decisions made in America's largest state can ripple across the rest of the country, for good or ill. What does the battle in California mean—for the future of the state and for national politics?

Guests and hosts:

• Charlotte Howard, executive editor
• James Bennet, Lexington columnist
• Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent
• Steve Hilton, candidate for governor of California

Topics covered:

• Election issues in California
• The Democratic primary
• Republican views of the state

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Maine is different. It’s the only state in America that Kamala Harris won in 2024 which has a Republican senator. It should be one of the easiest seats for Democrats to flip in the midterms: will it be?

Guests and hosts:

• John Prideaux, US editor and host of “Checks and Balance”
• Charlotte Howard, executive editor
• James Bennet, Lexington columnist
• Dan Rosenheck, data editor
• Graham Platner, presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate in Maine

Topics covered:

• The Senate race in Maine
• Graham Platner’s campaign
• Susan Collins’ Senate career

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.