What will Starmer’s defence spending buy from Trump?

Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that he is increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP has defence experts taking a sigh of relief, whilst humanitarian workers are left despairing. Nick and Amol are joined by former US military strategist Rachel Ellehuus, the new director general of defence think-tank RUSI, to explore how the UK – and Europe – will contain Russia without so much American support.

Plus, Theresa May’s former chief of staff Fiona Hill remembers an awkward first meeting between the PM and a newly elected President Trump.

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The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Tom Smithard with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.