On Friday, Giorgia Meloni will break Italy’s record and become the longest-serving continuous prime minister since the Second World War. Her sceptics predicted she would only last a few months. So how has she managed it? And with Britain going through four prime ministers in the same period, does she have a lesson for the rest of us?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Kington, Italy correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Leo Danczak.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: 1,413 days and counting… can Meloni become Italy’s Merkel?

Further listening: How Giorgia Meloni became Europe’s political superstar

Clips: Atlantic Council, CNN, Giorgia Meloni / YouTube, @GiorgiaMeloni / X, EUDebates.tv

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham faced parliament for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday. He’s spent the summer projecting a sunny, optimistic vision of Britain’s future – but how long can the good vibes last as Burnham faces the cold, hard realities of governing?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Leo Danczak, Jennifer Kennedy.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Keir Starmer’s final U-turn gives Andy Burnham an early headache

Further listening: The impossible dilemma of early release

Clips: BBC, Parliament TV, Andy Burnham via TikTok, Number 10, Channel 4, Sky News, CNBC, The Mirror.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been six months since President Trump announced the US and Israel had launched a military campaign against Iran. And despite some early military successes, the conflict has had financial and political costs for the United States. Will a change in strategy turn the tide? Or has the US already lost the strategic battle?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Jennifer Kennedy.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: How six months of war could make US rethink Middle East role for ever

Further listening: How war is changing Iran from within

Clips: Forbes, CNN, AP.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.