Over the weekend, the American government narrowly avoided - by only a matter of minutes - a total shut-down. This might not be uncommon these days. It’s happened numerous times over the last decade.

But this time it’s different. Because a virtual civil war has erupted within the Republican party, one that, according to some commentators, is unprecedented.

So, what will this mean for the United States? And the rest of us?

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on how this chaos could imperil Ukraine’s war effort. And threaten other American allies.