President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first official State of the Union address since returning to office on Tuesday night. But as he heads to the Capitol, he is at odds with nearly every branch of his government — even with members of his own party. Trump has said affordability will be a centerpiece of his speech, but whether he can stick to the script is always a question. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns preview Trump's primetime speech.

The immense buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East has the world on edge waiting for a decision from President Donald Trump on whether he will take action against Iran. As negotiators discuss a potential nuclear agreement, Trump and his top aides have seemingly set this week as the critical stretch to reach a deal. But the prospect of a limited strike on the country remains. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the latest signs from the White House and what might come next.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joins POLITICO’s Dasha Burns to discuss the United States’ role in ending the war, where Europe fits into the equation, and his frank thoughts on Russians living abroad.

Then, CNN’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward calls in from Ukraine to discuss the current climate in the country and how the Ukrainian people are doing.

The Supreme Court is due for a decision day. Court watchers are waiting on two looming rulings that will have major implications for President Donald Trump's agenda and the midterm elections this fall. At issue is whether the high court will strike down Trump's sweeping tariffs, and whether it will gut the Voting Rights Act and pave the way for more mid-decade redistricting. Playbook's Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the potential fallout. Plus, an extraterrestrial exploration.

President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is convening for its first meeting in D.C. But the countries gathering are doing so against the backdrop of a major buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East, as Trump continues piling pressure on Iran and mulls options in the region that could include a prolonged military entanglement. After the meeting wraps, Trump will shift gears from foreign to domestic policy when he visits Georgia to deliver the White House’s message on affordability to voters. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the juxtaposition of Trump’s agenda and what could come next.

The Democratic Senate primary in Texas lit up on the first day of early voting after state Rep. James Talarico's interview on Stephen Colbert's show was pulled at the last minute. The late-night host said the decision was made after pressure was put on by CBS. The result was an explosion of attention for Talarico, as he remains locked in an intense race against Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren discuss what the dramatic episode means for the race ahead of Election Day on March 3.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s top peace negotiating team, is in Switzerland today focused on Iran and Ukraine. The two will first speak with Iranian officials as the Trump administration continues to build up a military presence in the region, and the duo is prepared to move on to speak with Russian and Ukrainian officials to seek an end to the war in Ukraine. Back stateside, early voting in Texas begins on Tuesday, as both parties await the results of their respective primaries ahead of Election Day on March 3. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren dig into the state of peace talks and the stakes for each primary.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) sat down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns on "The Conversation" for a wide-ranging discussion covering his stance on immigration and ICE, voter ID, Israel and where he sees himself within the Democratic Party.

The Munich Security Conference kicks off on Friday — and it has turned into the marquee venue for Democrats with eyes toward 2028 to burnish their foreign policy bona fides. At least half a dozen Democrats who are tabbed as potential presidential contenders are descending on the conference that has become known as the Davos for the defense world. The rush to Munich follows last year’s gathering, where VP JD Vance stunned attendees — and the world — by torching European leaders in a sharp speech from the stage. Playbook’s Adam Wren and POLITICO’s Chief EU Correspondent and host of the Brussels Playbook Podcast Zoya Sheftalovich break down everything to know about this year’s Munich Security Conference.

The House voted to block President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, with six Republicans joining Democrats in the symbolic rebuke. While the future is unclear in the Senate, it amounts to a sharp political slap on Trump’s wrists as Democrats line up more votes against Trump’s tariffs with the midterms approaching and a consequential Supreme Court decision still looming. Meanwhile, Trump offered a fresh threat to Republicans who voted against the tariffs. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the vote ramifications.