It's been three years since the last British troops and diplomats left Afghanistan in the chaotic withdrawal of Western forces. Ed Vaizey finds out what's happened to the country since, with guests including Sunday Times chief foreign correspondent Christina Lamb.

Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the shoplifting epidemic, a hidden note found at the National Gallery, and whether former Cameron adviser Steve Hilton could be the next governor of California.

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Keir Starmer uses his speech in the Downing Street rose garden to warn of a turbulent time ahead, with a 'painful budget' on the way. Ed Vaizey unpacks it with former cabinet minister Jack Straw and Times Radio's Theo Usherwood.

Plus: What can the Tory leadership hopefuls learn from when the party was in opposition under Hague, Duncan Smith, Howard and Cameron?

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Michael Cockerell is one of the UK’s most experienced political film-makers, and has interviewed prime ministers from Macmillan to Johnson. He joins Ed Vaizey to reflect on his career and the art of making a political documentary.

Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Robin Brant discuss Keir Starmer's call for a decade of national renewal, whether Labour will change the way it elects its leader, and a new book assessing Liz Truss's (short) time in office.

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Is it ever possible to keep politics out of sport? Ed Vaizey looks at times when the two have collided, as well as how AI could change the world of athletics and whether we'll all be watching e-sport in the metaverse.

Plus: Columnists James Marriott and India Knight discuss the extravagance of US politics, freedom of speech in universities, finding joy in YouTube comments, and why group holidays are terrible.

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It's culture week here on the podcast, and today we're looking at the theatre - does politics still have a place on the stage?

Ed Vaizey hears from playwrights including David Edgar, who’s been writing for the theatre for 50 years, and discusses some of the best political drama including James Graham’s This House.

Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Bell talk about the pressure on the government to give big public sector pay deals, why there's a culture war over 20mph zones, and Keir Starmer's choice of crisps.

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Was Barack Obama's speech to the Democratic Convention a reminder that great orators don't come along very often? Columnists Robert Crampton and Jane Mulkerrins discuss the speech by the former US president, the role of political spouses, and why Tories are all taking Ozempic to lose weight.

Plus: We continue Ed Vaizey's culture week with a look at whether the golden age of the British TV and film industry has come to an end.

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We're looking at how music can shape politics, from Kamala Harris and Beyoncé's Freedom to Tony Blair and Things Can Only Get Better. Ed Vaizey is joined by guests including D:Ream co-founder Al Mackenzie.

Plus: Columnists Miranda Green and Henry Hill discuss why we're obsessed with America, Keir Starmer missing his summer holiday and whether Labour has caved in to the unions.

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Bill Clinton once said that regulating the internet would be like ‘nailing jello to a wall’, but in the UK new rules are on the way. Ed Vaizey looks at whether they can end the Wild West on the web with a former tech minister and one of Ofcom's online safety directors.

Plus Columnists: Libby Purves and Tim Montgomerie discuss the government's plans to let workers disconnect, the Tory leadership contest and the death of the theatre interval.

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25 years ago Vladimir Putin began his Russian reign in continuous positions as president or prime minister. How did the man in Moscow build his powerbase, how has he changed Russia since being there, and what should the UK look out for next? Theo speaks with those who've spent time dealing with the leader waging war on Western Europe.

Plus: Columnists Timandra Harkness and Scarlett Maguire discuss how social media can radicalise, the influential female MPs on the Labour benches, and why maths is back in fashion.

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How do people like Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin really hold onto power? The Pulitzer-prize winning historian and author of 'Autocracy Inc', Anne Applebaum, gives her take on how dictators like the Russian president prop themselves up, and the approaching inflection point in American politics.

Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Jimmy McLoughlin discuss the new deal to stave off rail strikes, the tug of war for Labour's affections between big business and union bosses and today's record-breaking A level results.

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