After 16 years as prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán – often credited with shaping the populist playbook – could be voted out in next week’s parliamentary elections. It could be one of the most consequential contests of 2026.

Among claims of Russian interference, staged assassination attempts and threats to release a sex tape, the campaign has taken a series of dramatic and unexpected turns.

Ahead of an expected visit by US Vice President JD Vance, we ask the BBC’s Europe editor, Katya Adler, how such a small country became a pivotal geopolitical battleground - and whether a defeat for Orbán could signal a shift for the populist right worldwide.

Producers: Samantha Chantarasak and Valerio Esposito

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Renee Park

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: US President Trump meets with Hungary's Prime Minister Orbán at the White House. Credit: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Washington DC this month at a time when the transatlantic relationship is at its lowest point in decades.

The King is facing a difficult time at home in the UK too, with significant public opposition to the visit and anger over his brother Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Can the King and Queen sprinkle some royal magic on President Trump and improve the royal image at the same time? Asma and Tristan are joined by the BBC’s senior royal correspondent, Daniela Relph.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Xandra Ellin

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Renee Park

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: President Donald Trump and King Charles III at a state banquet at Windsor Castle, in September 2025.

Roughly 10,000 additional US troops have now arrived in the Middle East, giving President Trump options ranging from an invasion of Kharg Island to an elaborate special forces operations to seize Iran’s ‘nuclear dust’.

For years, the Pentagon has run war games to try and plan for what might happen if the US went to war with Iran. Our guest, Ilan Goldenberg, was in the room during the Obama years, taking part. Ilan Goldenberg is Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at J Street. Previously, he was an adviser on Iran for President Barack Obama, and for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Producers: Lucy Pawle and Viv Jones

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: President Donald Trump. Credit: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

When Donald Trump was re-elected on a ‘no more wars’ promise, his vice-president was his staunchest ally, criticising previous US foreign interventions, most notably in Iraq, as well as the US’ recent financial support for Ukraine. And yet, the vice-president, who has substantial MAGA support and is expected to run for the 2028 presidency, now finds himself among Trump’s team negotiating an end to the US-Israel war on Iran, a war he was reportedly skeptical of launching.

What tactics will Vance use to secure both the interests of the president abroad, and his own domestic popularity among MAGA supporters who do not support the war? BBC Washington correspondent Daniel Bush joins us to discuss. Producer: Hannah Moore and Xandra Ellin Sound engineer: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins