POLITICO Tech

To understand how essential critical minerals are to our world, we turn to a case study: cobalt. This mineral is proving key to the future of green energy, defense and high tech manufacturing — not to mention electric vehicles. But cobalt has its challenges. Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath look at China’s dominant role in global cobalt mining and the serious problems that can arise if other countries can't get enough supplies.Luiza Savage is the host of "Global Translations".Ryan Heath is a host of "Global Translations". Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.Nedal T. Nassar is Chief of Materials Flow Analysis Section at the U.S. Geological Survey.Bryce Crocker is the CEO of Jervois MiningAimee Boulanger is the executive director of Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite warnings from the CDC, air travel soared over Thanksgiving week — and even more people are expected to travel in the coming weeks ahead of the holidays. POLITICO’s Sam Mintz breaks down what we know — and don’t know — about the safety of airplanes during the pandemic. Plus, Trump extends the National Guard’s Covid funding. And Fauci defends the FDA’s vaccine approval process.Sam Mintz is a transportation reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Sign up for POLITICO's Weekly Transportation newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a split-screen response: President Trump is virtually silent on the pandemic, while President-elect Biden is preparing to take office during the darkest period of the outbreak. POLITICO’s Dan Diamond breaks down how the two leaders’ teams are coordinating — and not — as the transition approaches. Plus, Obama urges people to trust a vaccine once its approved by health top officials. And Sen. Dianne Feinstein backs California Secretary of State Alex Padilla in filling Kamala Harris’ Senate seat after she takes over as Vice President.Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Sign up for the POLITICO Pulse newsletter to stay up on the latest on the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can’t please everyone … especially when you’re putting together a team to run the federal government. POLITICO’s Megan Cassella looks at why Biden’s promise to have a cabinet that “looks like America” hasn’t turned out the way advocates had hoped — and what sort of turbulence his nominees could face in the Senate. Plus, lawmakers finally move on Covid relief, but a deal remains elusive. And a Georgia election official condemns Trump after an election worker receives death threats.Megan Cassella covers the Biden for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Lawmakers to Biden: 'Step it up' on Cabinet diversitySign up for POLITICO's Transition Playbook newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When he ran for president in 2016, Trump promised he would revisit America's role in NATO and the World Health Organization, as well as the Iran nuclear deal. And true to his word, he rattled the world's biggest organizations — often pulling the US from its ranks. POLITICO's Nahal Toosi reports on how Trump reshaped US relations in the Middle East and shook up global alliances — and what challenges Biden faces.Listen to Part One of this series on Trump's foreign policy legacy here.Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs reporter for POLITICO.Carlos Prieto is a podcast producer for POLITICO.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the 1980s, Donald Trump has enjoyed criticizing American presidents and ruminating on how he might do things better. It probably won't be too different once President-elect Biden takes office in January. POLITICO's Michael Kruse breaks down what to expect from Trump after the White House — and why his refusal to admit defeat could be a launching point for a possible 2024 run.Michael Kruse  a senior staff writer for POLITICO and POLITICO Magazine.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more:Trump’s Crazy and Confoundingly Successful Conspiracy TheoryDonald Trump Confronts a New Label: Loser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's win in 2016 sent American allies and adversaries to a panic, not knowing what to expect when dealing with the United States over the next four years. But was his term at the White House as messy as world leaders expected? POLITICO's foreign affairs reporter Nahal Toosi analyzes Trump's policy with China, Russia, and North Korea.Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs reporter for POLITICO.Carlos Prieto is a podcast producer for POLITICO.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Biden turns to familiar faces to grapple with a changed world Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Covid cases are soaring, businesses are staring at a gloomy winter, millions of Americans are struggling and Congress ..... well, they’re on recess. POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris breaks down why there’s still no deal on another round of coronavirus relief — and what role President-Elect Biden will play in future negotiations. Plus, the Trump administration lets Biden move forward with the transition. And the CDC urges overwhelmed contact tracers to prioritize certain cases.Sarah Ferris is a congressional reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Stay up on the latest congressional news in POLITICO's Huddle newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the virus rages across the country, schools are shutting down again — or remain shuttered — even though they haven't turned out to be the super-spreader sites experts feared. At the same time, many bars and restaurants remain open for business. POLITICO's Nirvi Shah explains how the situation is reigniting a heated debate over pandemic priorities. Plus, the CDC recommends travelers get tested before and after international flights. And President-Elect Biden is expected to release some Cabinet picks Tuesday.Nirvi Shah is a senior deputy editor for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: It's starting to sink in: Schools before bars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The technologies that protect us, move us and power our daily lives require mining minerals and metals in distant places. But access to these essential materials is increasingly under threat. Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath talk with experts who are sounding the alarm. Luiza Savage is the host of Global Translations.Ryan Heath is a host of Global Translations.Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.Sharon Burke is a senior advisor for the International Security Program and Resource Security Program at New America. Nedal T. Nassar is Chief of Materials Flow Analysis Section at the U.S. Geological Survey.Tom Duesterberg is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He is an expert on trade and foreign policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices