A fragile ceasefire and JD Vance's moment in Budapest

About this episode

The episode discusses a fragile ceasefire involving Iran and JD Vance's support for Viktor Orbán in Hungary's elections.

After threatening Iran with total civilisational collapse, Donald Trump steps back from the brink and agrees to a fragile ceasefire that both sides claim as a win. But how long can it really hold? And as Hungary heads to the polls, JD Vance lands in Budapest to back Viktor Orbán—a leader often seen as aligned with Moscow. What does it mean when the White House throws its weight behind a pro-Russia candidate in one of Europe’s most consequential elections? Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times Fraser Nelson, columnist at The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images. Clips: Reuters This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Katy Balls, Fraser Nelson

Guest: JD Vance

Topics covered

• ceasefire
• Iran
• Hungary elections
• JD Vance
• Viktor Orbán
• US foreign policy

Keywords

• ceasefire
• Iran
• JD Vance
• Viktor Orbán
• Hungary
• US politics
• foreign policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Reuters, Acast

More episodes of The State of It: USA

• Why the naysayers are wrong about the Maga World Cup · June 11, 2026 · 28 min
• Why America's leaders keep getting worse · June 3, 2026 · 32 min
• Republicans find their spines · May 27, 2026 · 31 min
• No dissent: Donald Trump's revenge tour · May 20, 2026 · 29 min
• Trump in China: Iran for Taiwan? · May 13, 2026 · 23 min
• Trump's Iran problem deepens as a new king moves into view... · May 7, 2026 · 28 min