"America has entered one of its periods of historic madness, but this is the worst I can remember"

John Le Carre's quote speaks with the existing state of the United States. He thinks that the country remains in the midst of a duration of "historic madness," which this is the worst he has actually ever seen. This could be analyzed as a commentary on the existing political environment, with the country divided and stress running high. It might also be analyzed as a commentary on the existing state of the economy, with the pandemic triggering extraordinary levels of unemployment and economic difficulty. It might also be analyzed as a commentary on the present state of social discontent, with demonstrations and riots occurring in many cities throughout the nation. Whatever the interpretation, it is clear that John Le Carre thinks that the United States is in a state of chaos which this is the worst he has ever seen.