The Politics Lab

Bill and Phil break down the Russian invasion of Ukraine, discuss China’s use of social media to shape global opinion on the Olympics, and play a game of ‘Whose Home State is Dumber?’

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on the thinking behind the US’s intelligence disclosures on a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, whether Republicans are living within a lie, and if Trump’s mishandling of documents might prove to be a big problem. Then we wrap up with a game of “What’s More Stupid?”

This week, Bill and Phil ponder whether the Olympics bring the world together or inflame nationalism, what this Olympics reveals about China’s rise, new data on the declining competitiveness of congressional districts, and Trump’s relentless habit of destroying documents. 

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss a potential new law in New Hampshire that demands teacher loyalty, recent developments in Ukraine and what it means for the future of US foreign policy, Trump’s place in the Republican Party, and the future of the filibuster. 

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on Biden’s first year of foreign policy, escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, why more inexperienced candidates are running for office, and what to make of the GOP’s idea to create a voter fraud police force. 

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the changing politics of Covid and whether Donald Trump just launched his reelection campaign.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on the anniversary of January 6th and new research on the prospect of civil war, a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Novak Djokovic’s efforts to play some unvaccinated tennis in Australia.

This week, Bill and Phil take a look back at 2021, including some of the major political stories you may have already forgotten, as well as a big picture look at what the year taught us about the state of our political world.

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil take a deep dive into democracy and disinformation, including what we learned from Mark Meadows text messages and January 6th powerpoint presentations, the extensive use of disinformation in political emails, and China’s attempt to troll Biden’s democracy summit. Then we close by pondering whether the next political coup is already underway.

Bill and Phil take a lighter look at the wacky week of politics, including stories of an ultra-nationalist presidential candidate in France being put in a headlock, a male senator in Australia growling at a female colleague during her speech, Mark Meadows calling his own book “fake news” after Trump told him so, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposing his own military force for Florida, and Representative Thomas Massie’s Christmas card showing his family gathered around the tree with assault rifles.