Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann reflect on where America is at, 250 years in. The team discusses a visit to the Great American State Fair in Washington DC, gauges the mood with the latest polling, and evaluates what the American dream means as we look ahead to the future.

Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: [email protected] Senior Producer: James Kraft Editor: James Kraft Executive Producer: Anna Holford

Wimbledon is under way and some of the sport's biggest names are increasingly becoming media businesses in their own right. Jamie Murray has joined the BBC's Wimbledon coverage as an analysis expert while launching a new YouTube channel, The Set, with his brother Andy. Jamie Murray explains why they decided to create their own platform, and Catherine Whitaker, co-host of The Tennis Podcast, looks at what more player-led media means for broadcasters and sports journalism.

Netflix has added two more seasons of the Russian children's cartoon Masha and the Bear, prompting criticism from Ukraine. The country's Centre for Countering Disinformation says the programme is a form of Russian soft power, while its producers have previously said they receive no funding from the Russian state. Oleksandra Zhylina, a master's student at Charles University specialising in propaganda and disinformation, outlines the concerns. Clare Denning, Russia specialist at BBC Monitoring, explains why the debate has grown.

More journalists are leaving traditional news organisations to build their own subscription businesses. Lachlan Cartwright has reported for the New York Post, Vanity Fair and The Hollywood Reporter before launching Breaker Media. Lachlan Cartwright explains why he went independent and how he is building a media business around exclusive reporting.

This audio was edited on 2 July to add: “Since the programme was recorded, a spokesperson for the producers of Masha and the Bear has been quoted in news coverage as saying that their client ‘categorically rejects the false and defamatory suggestion that Masha and the Bear is associated with propaganda’.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producer: Tim Bano Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Akik Rahman Sound: Robin Schroder

Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at the preparations and events to mark America’s 250th anniversary. As the country looks to the big day, there are questions around just who is throwing the party – and what this milestone looks like, in the context of big current political divisions. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics - in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: [email protected] Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the factors behind the latest resignation of a British prime minister, explores the state of US politics and society on the eve of the country’s 250th birthday, and analyses the results of the Colombian presidential election.

Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall