As Russia expands its campaign for hybrid warfare, what can Britain and Europe do to respond? Recorded onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales docked in Oslo, host Lucy Fischer is joined by FT UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and defence correspondent Charles Clover.

Together, they assess Europe’s response to Moscow's grey-zone tactics and the strategic role of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) - a grouping of northern European countries led by Britain including the Nordics, Baltics and the Netherlands. Is it a focused response to the threat of Russia in the north, or could it weaken the power of Nato?

And we hear from the secretary of state for defence, Wes Streeting, who told the FT this week that the UK and Russia need new back channels to avoid “miscalculation”. Plus, how does Britain balance its ambitious defence spending commitments against tight domestic budgets and political pressure?

This week’s episode is supported by Equinor. Everything we discuss is editorially independent.

Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Charles Clover on X

@charles_clover; Robert Shrimsley on X @robertshrimsley

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What’s wrong with my gilet? By Robert Shrimsley

Secretary of State on the need for new back channels between the UK and Russia.

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Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Presented by Lucy Fisher.

The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa & Kate Ford.

Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner.

Location crew is Sam Osbourne.

The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump received a body blow to his presidency as the Republican Party was routed in the US midterms this week. What will be the impact on this side of the Atlantic — and the wider world? Is a weakened Trump good news for a progressive, left-leaning government? Or could the results encourage Trump to lash out via foreign policy, especially regarding Iran and Ukraine? And what does it mean for Nigel Farage and his long-term links with Trump? Host Lucy Fisher discusses the fallout of this monumental week for global politics with deputy political editor Jim Pickard and deputy comment editor Miranda Green. Plus, the panel gets into Labour’s shift in immigration policy and the dispute over reparations for Britian’s historical role in the slave trade which dominated the Commonwealth summit.

Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social

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A weakened Trump still leaves Britain on edge

Democrats look to reshape America after historic midterm victories

How corruption became a top voter issue in the US midterms

The beginning of the end of the age of Trump

MPs summon Poundland’s owner to select committee grilling

Giving 16-year-olds the vote is only half the job

Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giordgiades and Bianca Wakeman. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham’s chancellor John Healey delivered his maiden budget on Wednesday. With ballooning debt, poor growth and rising inflation, the mantra was very much ‘steady as we go’ – with only modest announcements on tax and spending. Households have been helped with energy costs while banks, landlords and savers have been hit. Healey insisted he was doing his best to help, but was it enough to secure long-term economic health and security for the UK? Host Lucy Fisher discusses these questions and lots more from FT subscribers with UK political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin and economics editor Sam Fleming.

This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers’ webinar.

Follow Lucy @lucyfisher.ft.com & @LOS_Fisher; George @georgewparker.bsky.social & @GeorgeWParker and Sam @Sam1Fleming

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John Healey hits banks and savers to fund modest Budget handout

UK Budget 2026: Healey defends Budget as economic warnings grow

Budget in brief: what you need to know

Healey fiddles while the UK stagnates

Property tax rise will push more landlords to sell, Healey warned

Britain’s Budget buys time but ducks the hard choices

Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Colleen Velle and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.