Alexandra Sewage Bass, a senior correspondent for The Economist, dives into the high-stakes recall election of California's Governor Gavin Newsom. She reveals the political significance of this vote for both state and nation, stressing the importance of voter engagement. The discussion also touches on Russia's military exercises, comparing their implications to historical contexts. Finally, the enduring relevance of Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy is explored, highlighting its lessons of despair and hope that resonate even today.