After decades of overpopulation worries, the country now has the opposite concern. We examine India’s unusual demographic turn , and why it is a wider warning to the world. Vegan substitutes have broadly improved in recent years—so why is there no good vegan cheese ? And remembering Sonny Rollins , an absolute colossus of the saxophone. Watch extended clips from Insider here . Guests and host: Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief Sam Colbert, senior series producer, Economist Podcasts Jon Fasman, ...
Jun 05, 2026•24 min
Nigel Farage, leader of the populist-right Reform UK party, wants Britons to be enraged by a killing in the street. We ask why his tone has changed from “colour-blind” to race-baiting. NATO must now take seriously the idea that America is pulling back; we ask how it is adjusting . And why skipping title sequences is forgoing some of television’s magic . Guests and host: Hugo Gye, British political correspondent Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent Andrew Miller, “Back Story” columnist...
Jun 04, 2026•24 min
Now that America has stepped back, Europe is at last stepping up. We examine the bloc’s tactics (if not yet a strategy) and how steady its support is likely to be. With the coming public listings of SpaceX and Anthropic, we ask whether stockmarkets can handle a string of “ giga-IPOs ”. And our World Cup series looks at Iran’s side. Guests and host: Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondent Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Jason Palmer, co-host...
Jun 03, 2026•21 min
The AI world’s go-to chipmaker is blazing a trail toward your personal computer. We ask what moving out of the cloud indicates about the future of computing. The three candidates for mayor of Los Angeles could not be more different, and they are running neck and neck. And updating generic filler text for the business-jargon era. Guests and host: Shailesh Chitnis, global business writer Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent Andrew Palmer, executive editor and “Bartleby” columnist Jason Palmer (no ...
Jun 02, 2026•21 min
Aid is ramping up to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and vaccine work is progressing. But what the Ebola response most lacks is trust of the community. European governments and businesses are wary of their dependence on America’s tech giants; we examine a spate of home-grown efforts . And sticky toffee pudding, a staid British classic, gets a sweet social-media boost . Guests and host: John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Christian Odendahl, European economics editor Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa...
Jun 01, 2026•21 min
Our outgoing defence editor reflects on how war has changed during the eight years of his tenure. Wars have become easier to start and harder to finish , and the little guy has a better chance than ever before. And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Barney Frank , a trailblazing Democratic congressman. Watch extended clips from Insider here Guests and host: Shashank Joshi, defence editor Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: war, technology, U...
May 29, 2026•26 min
The American administration’s next round of sabre-rattling has been directed at Cuba. But more military adventures there would probably prove disastrous . We profile the three starkly different contenders in Colombia’s hyper-polarised presidential election . And our series looking at World Cup squads goes to Mexico. Guests and host: Sarah Birke, bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Jason Pal...
May 28, 2026•23 min
Economic support, drone capability, defence under new management: the tide may have turned for Ukraine. But domestic politics and perceptions will define what kind of win the country might hope for. We examine how Home Depot, the world’s largest DIY chain, is a window into America’s ailing housing market. And what is pinching the supply of England’s famed cricket bats. Guests and host: Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent Vinjeru Mkandawire, news editor Andrew Rummer, Britain contributor Jason ...
May 27, 2026•19 min
More mixed messages from President Donald Trump and air strikes that seem to violate the ceasefire: all that is remotely in prospect is a deal to keep on dealmaking . China’s “superapps” are pioneering the use of agentic AI —with some odd outcomes. And the curious reason that grouse harm themselves on ski lifts (and how to save them ). Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Don Weinland, China business and finance editor Matt Kaplan, science correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host...
May 26, 2026•21 min
What do we mean by a “good book”? Some people choose a holiday read that demands time and attention. Others pick rip-roaring novels that require little thought. Our bookworms discuss whether art has to be improving to be praiseworthy, and give genre fiction some much-needed air time. This is a full list of the books mentioned in the show: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen “Red Rising” by Pierce Brown Jack Reacher series by Lee Child “The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy “Riders” and the ot...
May 25, 2026•29 min
Elon Musk has launched the largest stockmarket listing in history. The accompanying space mission remains grounded. Our correspondent weighs SpaceX’s extraordinary ambitions. The Republican party trades on its masculine image, but some young men are turning away. And, after a blind tasting 50 years ago unleashed a new wave of wine drinking , the market is drying out. Watch extended clips from Insider here Guests and host: Tim Cross, senior science writer Robert Guest, Economist deputy editor Ale...
May 22, 2026•25 min
Within the space of a week Chinese president Xi Jinping has welcomed both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Beijing. Our correspondent explains the significance of these consecutive meetings. How the Premier League got its kick – and became one of Britain’s most successful businesses. And, some relax on holiday, others relish adrenaline-fuelled activities. Guests and host: Jeremy Page, chief China correspondent Sonny Loughran, Britain writer Caitlin Talbot, culture correspondent Rosie Blau, co-...
May 21, 2026•21 min
Is Binyamin Netanyahu ’s time up as Israel’s prime minister? As a vote in parliament triggers the election campaign, our correspondent – and Netanyahu’s biographer – analyses what comes next. We join a US-backed counter-terrorism training exercise in Africa and question whether such missions will outlast Trump. And how Cape Verde came to take part in its first World Cup . Guests and host: Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspond...
May 20, 2026•20 min
The latest Ebola emergency is different from previous ones: there is no vaccine, and the kind of community-level work that stops the spread has been thinned by aid cuts. Britain is likely to get a new prime minister soon; we profile Andy Burnham , the Labour party’s polling favourite. And celebrity book clubs abound—but useful criticism in them does not . Guests and host: John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Joel Budd, social affairs editor Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent Jason Palm...
May 19, 2026•22 min
Atef Najib, a former security chief, is the highest-profile member of the Assad regime to go on trial. We ask why the speed, uneven spread and murky legal basis of justice troubles many Syrians . Our series leading up to America’s 250th birthday continues to plumb our archive. Today: the cold war and Vietnam . And why whiskymaking is booming in China. Guests and host: Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent Annie Crabill, senior digital editor Don Weinland, China business and finance editor Jas...
May 18, 2026•25 min
Tommy Robinson is an influencer who has shaped views on Britain, particularly among his American supporters and funders. A rally this weekend will show how his worldview is reaching the mainstream. A merger in the oligopoly of liftmakers will reshape an industry known for its ups and downs. And remembering Raghu Rai , whose photographs captured the intensity of India’s people. Watch extended clips from Insider here . Guests and host: Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent Simon Wright, industry ed...
May 15, 2026•24 min
Perhaps the AI “boomers” are right about a sweeping labour-market revolution. But a careful look at history shows just how unprecedented their bullish scenarios would be. Africa’s bounty of minerals has drawn tremendous recent interest; will the continent see the benefits this time around? And our World Cup profile series continues with a look at Japan’s squad. Guests and host: Callum Williams, senior economics writer John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspo...
May 14, 2026•22 min
The meeting between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will set the tone for three more this year. We examine what and what not to expect. Pepsi has been losing ground to Coca Cola recently; to catch up, it may have to become more like its rival . And this year’s Venice Biennale is uncomfortably besieged by geopolitics. Guests and host: Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor Rosie Blau, co-ho...
May 13, 2026•22 min
Artificial intelligence could help terrorists develop new dangerous pathogens . Our correspondent asks how humanity can protect itself from machine-assisted biological weapons. Stock markets are soaring, despite the oil shock. What does this tell us about investor confidence in traditionally safe assets ? And the doughs and don’ts of German bread . Guests and host: Arthur Holland Michel, emerging tech writer Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent Lily Meckel, audience fellow Rosie Blau, hos...
May 12, 2026•21 min
After catastrophic local-election results, Britain’s prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life. One airline has folded and others may follow: jet-fuel prices are crimping carriers the world over, but the pain is not spread evenly. And could San Andrés , a popular Colombian tourist island, ever declare independence? Guests and host: Owen Winter, Britain political correspondent Simon Wright, industries editor Claire McQue, Americas writer Rosie Blau co-host of “The Intelli...
May 11, 2026•20 min
The Kremlin planned to provide Iran with unjammable drones, plus training in how to use them, according to leaked documents seen exclusively by The Economist. Meanwhile there are nearly 20,000 merchant seamen stranded in the Gulf . And a tribute to Craig Venter , dark horse of the Human Genome Project. Watch extended clips from Economist Insider here . Guests and host: Shashank Joshi, defence editor Joshua Spencer, Asia news editor Geoffrey Carr, senior editor, science and technology Rosie Blau,...
May 08, 2026•27 min
An egregious attack in a Jewish neighbourhood in London is just the latest example of a troubling trend . We investigate the claim that antisemitism is becoming normalised in Britain. While many of the world’s luxury brands are struggling, American ones seem to be flourishing . And our series of profiles of teams contesting the World Cup continues with Argentina. Guests and host: Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent R...
May 07, 2026•20 min
Germany’s chancellor came to office making big promises. A year later they are unfulfilled, his government is squabbling and he has drawn President Donald Trump’s ire. The advertising industry is, inevitably, starting to peddle its wares quietly in AI chatbots. And a historical look at the oratory around war and how it has taken a sharp turn for the worse . Guests and host: Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondent Tom Wainwright, media editor Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent Rosie Blau, co...
May 06, 2026•22 min
The Trump administration’s “ Project Freedom ” has done and will do little to boost traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. We examine an unsustainable standoff. A fashion influencer’s post addressed to President Vladimir Putin has brought Russians’ wider grumbling into the open. And how India’s notorious street noise comes with costs to human health . Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent Rosie Blau, co-h...
May 05, 2026•22 min
In Iran, America is using expensive weaponry against cheap local drones. Can upstart tech companies change the economics – and nature — of conflict? As part of our ongoing series on the US at 250 , we examine the impact of the two world wars. And should you ever use an emoji at work? Listen to “ Money Talks ” on defence tech upstarts. Guests and host: Henry Tricks, US technology editor Annie Crabill, a senior digital editor Andrew Palmer, host of “Boss Class” podcast Rosie Blau, host of “The int...
May 04, 2026•22 min
Can peace hold in Lebanon while Hizbullah remains? Our correspondent weighs the balance of power between government forces and the Iran-backed militia. The resale value of Labubus is falling – who cares? And remembering Swedish death-clearer, Margareta Magnusson . Watch extended clips from “ The Insider ”. And listen to our “ Weekend Intelligence ” episode on “Kidulting: why adults are turning to toys”. Guests and host: Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent Josh Roberts, capital markets corre...
May 01, 2026•23 min
Oil prices are at their highest since 2022, as a swift end to the Iran conflict proves elusive. Yet, our commodities editor says, markets do not yet yet recognise how deep the supply shock is. Who will contest next year’s pivotal election in France? And great expectations in Brazil ahead of the World Cup. Watch “ The Insider ”: How high will the oil price go Guests and host: Matthieu Favas, commodities editor Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Rosie Blau, ...
Apr 30, 2026•20 min
Artificial Intelligence is becoming ubiquitous, but the industry that powers it is struggling to keep up with demand. The host of our award-winning podcast series “ Scam Inc ” says fraudsters in Asia are becoming more sophisticated. And after Allbirds stops selling shoes, what comes next? Guests and host: Shailesh Chitnis, global business writer Sue-Lin Wong, host of Scam Inc Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The intelligence” T...
Apr 29, 2026•23 min
The “special relationship” between Britain and America is at its weakest since the Suez crisis of 1956. Will a state visit by King Charles III to America salvage the tie? Why Japanese automakers may be running out of road. And fish from New York’s Hudson river are now safe to eat. Guests and host: Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Daniel Franklin, senior editor, Britain Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor Stevie Hertz, US policy correspondent Topics covered: King Charles III, state v...
Apr 28, 2026•22 min
After a gunman stormed Donald Trump’s dinner with the press, questions are being revived about the president’s security. Germany’s top general explains the country’s new defence strategy. And listeners respond to our Weekend Intelligence episode on the passport bros who go abroad to find “a good woman”. An earlier version of our lead story stated that the gunman shot a Secret Service agent. Subsequent reports indicate it is unclear whose shot struck the agent.We have now edited the start of the ...
Apr 27, 2026•25 min
