Speed Round Returns!

Episode #249

This week, Bill and Phil are heading into a speed round — quick hits on big topics: the 2026 midterms and election legitimacy, Trump’s latest social media controversy, the expiration of the last U.S.–Russia nuclear arms treaty, the pace of democratic backsliding, America’s declining soft power, tensions with Canada over a new border bridge, and yes… even a little Bad Bunny. 

Links related to this week’s episode:

• “Why Trump’s Calls to ‘Nationalize’ Voting Have Raised Midterm Fears” by Nick Corasaniti in The New York Times

• “Nukes Without Limits? A New Era After the End of New START” by Erin Dumbacher for The Council on Foreign Relations

• “How Steep is Trump’s Democratic Backsliding?” by John Burn-Murdoch in The Financial Times

---

Subscribe to The Politics Lab on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.