The White House has accused Saudi Arabia of helping Russia fund its war in Ukraine by pushing up oil revenues after the OPEC+ group of oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, decided to cut oil output by 2 million barrels per day. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby accused the kingdom of strong-arming other oil producing countries to agree to the cut.And a controversy in Los Angeles is roiling the city's politics: city councilors were caught making racist and otherwise bigoted remarks in a leaked recording. President Biden has called on them to resign.This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam, and national desk correspondent Adrian Florido.Learn more about upcoming live shows of The NPR Politics Podcast at nprpresents.org.Support the show and unlock sponsor-free listening with a subscription to The NPR Politics Podcast Plus. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics Connect:Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.orgJoin the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jackie Northam, a seasoned journalist, sheds light on the brutal realities faced by artists and activists in Iran amid ongoing government crackdowns. She discusses the striking case of writer Hossein Shambhazada, who received a 12-year prison sentence for a seemingly innocuous punctuation mark. Northam also highlights the chilling stories of dissidents, including a rapper confronting execution, revealing the growing anger and resilience among Iranians rising against oppressive forces.

Danielle Kurtzleben, an NPR political correspondent, analyzes Trump’s escalating campaign rhetoric aimed at extreme-right voters. Anya von Wagten-Dank discusses the closely contested Wisconsin Senate race, underscoring its importance for Democrats. Jackie Northam reports on the recent Hezbollah drone attack on an Israeli military base, revealing the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the implications for U.S. military response. Together, they explore the polarized political landscape and its influence on voter sentiment.

In a speech at the White House Thursday afternoon, President Biden reiterated that the United States would not deploy troops to Ukraine, though he did bolster troop presence in neighboring countries. The economic impact of the invasion and subsequent sanctions will take time to determine. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and international correspondent Jackie Northam.Connect:Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.orgJoin the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Find and support your local public radio station.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

8,500 U.S. troops are on heightened alert for deployment to Europe after Russia stationed more than 100,000 military personnel on its border with Ukraine. Europe's considerable economic links to Russia have complicated the response to the Kremlin's threats against Ukraine.This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Scott Detrow, and international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam.Connect:Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.orgJoin the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Find and support your local public radio station.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy