The Economist Asks

Since last year’s election Senator John McCain has criticised Donald Trump’s freewheeling approach to foreign policy. In this episode, he speaks to Anne McElvoy about his role in the "nuclear option" stand-off over Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court confirmation, Rex Tillerson's mishandling of Syria - and why the US should stand up the "gangster" in the Kremlin. And he shares his advice to the President on curing Trump's Twitter habit.

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Many firms pay lip service to diversity but beyond recruitment quotas and good intentions how many can boast about having a varied and thriving workplace for all employees? Anne McElvoy speaks to company executives at The Economist's second annual Pride and Prejudice event about the changes they have witnessed in the attitudes towards LGBT and minority employees over the years.

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Can Brexit be stopped? 29th March is the trigger day for Britain leaving the EU. Former British prime minister Tony Blair has put himself at the helm of a fightback. But can he succeed and are "liberal elites" an answer or the problem? Anne McElvoy hosts.

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Are the new players in the art world opening it up or destroying it? Economist Richard Davies profiles one dealer accused of creating turmoil in the market. Also on the show: Artist Schandra Singh ponders the intricate relationship between art and money. And senior director at the auction house Sotheby's, Philip Hook, on the dealers who made art history. Anne McElvoy hosts.

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In this special episode, Anne McElvoy interviews best-selling author Rutger Bregman in front of a live studio audience at the RSA in London. His book, "Utopia for Realists" advocates that we re-embrace grand dreams of progress. But history has its share of dangerous utopian fanatics - so why revive idealism at all?

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Where does human consciousness arise from? Was there an evolutionary moment when the light switched on? Are animals conscious, too? We ask the philosopher and cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett

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Many assume the shift in economic and political power from West to East is inexorable. Historian and Asia expert Michael Auslin disagrees - and sees potential for conflicts in the region. Our Asia Editor Edward McBride hosts.

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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has given away grants of over $36 billion in the past decade. But under a new presidency, philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates faces stiff challenges on vaccine programmes, promised clampdowns on federal aid and a mood of distrust toward technocrats. He tells host Anne McElvoy why he still believes in engaging with Donald Trump.

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A deal with Russia could help President Trump’s administration contain China and crush Islamic State. But is a declining economic power like Russia capable of delivering? Mr Trump may not realise that President Putin's aims run counter to America's interests, from recognising Crimea as Russian to ending economic sanctions. Anne McElvoy hosts

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John Judis, author of The Populism Explosion, joins our US Editor John Prideaux to explore what lies behind the surge of political revolts in Europe and America and the difference between left and right-wing populism. Can President Trump turn his brand of disruption into a recipe for government?

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