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The national debt reached a new high of $40 trillion this week and continues to accumulate at an increasingly difficult pace. Meanwhile, Trump has seemed preoccupied with giving Washington a makeover by focusing on helipads, ballrooms, flagpoles, and landscaping.

President Trump faced scrutiny over rising national debt, despite having campaigned on reducing it. The national debt reached $40 trillion this week. This increase was cited partly due to the ongoing Iran war.

In a recent news wrap, the defense rested its case in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy. The editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes reported that the Pentagon had fired an individual, while President Trump paused ground beef tariffs in an effort to lower prices.

A proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery was challenged by California's attorney general and 11 other states, leading to a roadblock. Following this, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison threatened to move operations out of California if the deal is not approved.

The Israeli military bombed an airbase in Syria, prompting condemnation from Syria, Turkey, and the Trump administration. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack subsequently accused Israel of an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.

An investigation by the Center for Investigative Reporting revealed that glyphosate is being sprayed at record levels in California forests. The chemical weedkiller, which is an active ingredient in Roundup and kills competing vegetation, has been targeted by lawsuits alleging exposure causes cancer.

The Supreme Court temporarily cleared the way for construction of President Trump’s White House ballroom to continue while the justices consider his administration's appeal. Additionally, white house correspondent Liz Landers reports on the ballroom and the president's IndyCar race coming to the nation's capital this weekend.

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics. Their discussion covered this week's midterm primary results, the focus on the economy taking center stage, President Trump lashing out at key allies, and a controversy concerning a Trump aide.

The U.S. military has depleted its stockpile of advanced weapons due to months of war with Iran. This diminished arsenal limits defense options and the ability to protect allies, raising concerns about potential exploitation by adversaries. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin will discuss these limitations for readiness with Bill LaPlante, Randy Schriver, and Celeste Wallander.

This article details coverage of the full broadcast titled Washington Week with The Atlantic. The material presented covers an episode aired specifically on August 21, 2026.

The mosquito is a major global threat that kills more people than any other animal, with warming climates extending its season and allowing it to spread dangerous diseases. Scientists are actively fighting this growing problem, an issue reported by Ben Tracy of Climate Central.

A federal trial against Meta began, featuring four states who argue the company's social media platforms harm children. Separately, crews are working in Hawaii to restore power and clear roads after Hurricane Lala. In other news, President Trump stated that no talks between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled.

President Trump has strained an alliance by scaling back joint military exercises with South Korea. He cited cost concerns, his relationship with Kim Jong Un, and Seoul’s refusal to join the Iran war as reasons for this shift. This action is presented as a transactional approach to international alliances.

The Iran war is casting a shadow over President Trump and the Republican Party. Reports from sailors and families describe concerning conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea since last November. A panel will discuss the political impact as the conflict continues.

Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One by a catering truck because the aircraft was allegedly being targeted by Iranian agents. This event raises questions regarding Iran’s continued ability to wreak havoc on the U.S. and its friends.

Greece is attempting to stop boats crossing from North Africa to the Greek island of Crete amid an ongoing migration crisis. Separately, five European Union countries achieved a breakthrough in efforts to deport migrants across the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, Uganda in East Africa agreed to accept these migrants, although that deal has yet to be signed.

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Kimberly Atkins Stohr of the Boston Globe joined William Brangham to discuss the week in politics. Their discussion covered various topics, including the result of Wisconsin's Democratic primary, the status of 'woke' politics in America, and the stalemate between the U.S. and Iran.

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after admitting he stalked and shot him in 2024 outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan. The 28-year-old faces potential life in prison and is also dealing with state murder charges for Thompson’s death in New York.

Reports from sailors and their families describe concerning conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The ship has been at sea since last November, marking a record-length deployment. These concerns were addressed by Trump, who dismissed them over the long-deployed carrier.

A heat wave is currently breaking records across Europe, while record-breaking rainfall has triggered flooding in several cities in Japan. Meanwhile, authorities in Italy successfully recovered three stolen artworks by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, and Hawaii is preparing for significant rain and strong winds from Tropical Storm Lala.