Clodagh and Alex talk with Steve Sarson, Professor of American Civilisation, University Jean Moulin, Lyon. This was a fascinating conversation about how to interpret the Declaration of Independence. Steve argues that the Declaration needs to be contextualised by its time and place, revealed in its opening lines, rather than just being seen as an abstract statement of principles. Only then can its relevance for today be properly understood.

Ok, the title of the pod is ambitious but Clodagh and Alex do their best to work out what recent events mean for the US, NATO and the wider relationships between the US and its allies. Providing the wisdom is Dafydd Townley, a lecturer in the University of Portsmouth's Military Education Team

Clodagh and Alex are joined by Tim Galsworthy to discuss the evolution of Civil War memory within the Republican Party. President Trump likes to remind people that the GOP was the party of Lincoln. How do we make sense of Trump's supporters embracing the confederate flag?

Clodagh and Alex dig deep with Professor Eliga Gould from the University of New Hampshire. We look at the American revolution, thinking about the nature of the conflict and how it set the framework for future development. We do mention cage fights on the White House lawn!

I this episode returning guest Professor Andrew Rudalevige talks with Clodagh and Alex about President Trump and the resilience of constitutional safeguards. There's a lot to discuss!

Clodagh and Alex talk with Professor Gary Gerstle about whether we now live in a post neo-liberal world. If so, what does that actually mean? And, as ever, what is Trump's role in all of this?

Clodagh and Alex talk with Professor John White about an American Pope and the decline of civility in public life

Clodagh and Alex talk to Professor Niels Bjerre-Poulsen from the University of Southern Denmark about why Greenland has become a focus of transatlantic tension and ask what this means for what used to be known as the western "alliance"