The podcast to understand the United States
An international perspective on American politics, foreign policy and culture
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Why listen?
Understand the developments shaping American politics, foreign policy and culture – presented especially for an international audience.
Listen to the voices and perspectives which are shaping debates inside and outside the United States about America and its place in the world.
Get the story behind the story – we’re topical but always focused on the big picture.
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Latest Episodes
- Primaries: what’s the deal?It always seems to be election season in America, and one reason is the system of primary elections, in which each party picks its candidate before the general election. But why do primaries exist, and are they a good idea?Continue reading “Primaries: what’s the deal?”
- Biden up, Trump downWhat a week. Joe Biden passed the most significant piece of federal climate legislation ever, topping off a streak of recent wins including the lowering of drug prices for working Americans and efforts to revive American manufacturing. Donald Trump, meanwhile,Continue reading “Biden up, Trump down”
- Pelosi in TaiwanNancy Pelosi has touched down in Taiwan for a visit which has generated huge pushback from Beijing and divisions in Washington, where Republicans are supportive but the Biden White House wishes she would have just flown home instead. How didContinue reading “Pelosi in Taiwan”
Meet your host
America Explained is hosted by Andy Gawthorpe, a historian and political commentator. British by birth, Dutch by residence, and American-in-waiting by marriage, Andy teaches and researches the United States at Leiden University. He also writes frequently about American politics, foreign policy & culture for U.S. and international media, particularly Guardian U.S. In the past, he’s been a research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, a civil servant in the Cabinet Office, and an instructor at a British military academy.
“Great content”
Great for non-Americans who want to understand the United States.
Lisa
“Thanks!”
Fantastic if you are studying the United States at school or college.
Listener from USA
“Really nice snapshot!”
A really nice snapshot of politics in the United States.
Chris
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