From Switzerland to Texas

The Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

News, Daily News, Politics, Government

3.9 • 699 Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s top peace negotiating team, is in Switzerland today focused on Iran and Ukraine. The two will first speak with Iranian officials as the Trump administration continues to build up a military presence in the region, and the duo is prepared to move on to speak with Russian and Ukrainian officials to seek an end to the war in Ukraine. Back stateside, early voting in Texas begins on Tuesday, as both parties await the results of their respective primaries ahead of Election Day on March 3. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren dig into the state of peace talks and the stakes for each primary.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Today's episode is presented by American beverage.
0:03.0	When it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know your choices matter, and getting it right starts with good information.
0:10.0	That's why America's beverage companies are sharing clear information about the ingredients in their beverages at good to know facts.org.
0:17.0	Because when it's time to decide what goes on your table, facts are the first ingredient.
0:21.7	No spin, no judgment.
0:23.5	Visit good to know facts.org.
0:32.0	Today on the Playbook podcast, it's a big day for peace talks.
0:36.1	Steve Wiccoff is doing Iran and Ukraine in Switzerland
0:39.6	this morning. The affordability tour is back. Trump is headed to Georgia later this week,
0:45.0	and all eyes are on Texas as early voting begins in perhaps the most consequential primaries
0:50.3	of 2026. Hello, I'm Jack Blanchard. And I'm Adam Wren, and it's Tuesday, February the 17th.
0:58.7	Adam, it's great to have you back with us. How you doing, man? I'm doing well, Jack. Thanks for having me.
1:03.4	Did I see former President Barack Obama hitting out at your beloved Indiana paces on President's Day weekend?
1:10.6	Yeah, apparently after he won the state of Indiana in November of 2008, he no longer needed to pander to Hoosiers.
1:18.1	And now it's all coming out.
1:20.4	That's right. He did great disrespect to our basketball team.
1:23.7	I hope you took it very personally.
1:25.4	I did. I did.
1:26.5	Actually, I CC'd on X, his former state director in
1:31.3	Indiana, Kiptu, and he told me that he's never said this before, but he said a very un-podcast-friendly
1:38.5	word about the former president. So it did not land well here. This is a family podcast,
1:43.3	and we'll stay off that. Well, Indiana is one thing. We're actually going to start the podcast in Switzerland today,
	...

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