Dear Ido,

It promises to be an exceptional, and exceptionally partisan, election year in America. For a fair-minded guide to US politics, listen to Checks and Balance, a new weekly podcast from The Economist, launching on January 24th.

Published every Friday, each episode will draw on the rigour and expertise of The Economist’s network of US correspondents to analyse the stories behind the headlines: from what President Donald Trump has actually done in office to how America might look if his eventual opponent wins in November. If you want a podcast that takes a view but doesn't take sides, listen to Checks and Balance.