Ukraine is intensifying cross-border attacks in a strategic and psychological effort to make ordinary Russians take notice of the war. We have been collecting reports from the ground on shifting attitudes as occupied Crimea comes under fire. Why the valuation of Elon Musk’s SpaceX affects us all. And celebrating the life of former Fed chair Alan Greenspan . Guests and host: Matt Steinglass, Europe editor Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Rosie Blau, co-host ...
Jun 26, 2026•28 min
Americans are becoming more anxious about how artificial intelligence will affect jobs, society and even human existence. Republican and Democrat voters are unusually united in their concerns. Divorce rates are rising in China and the Communist party cannot stop them. And the politics of air-conditioning in a scorching Europe. Guests and host: Robert Guest, Economist deputy editor Sarah Wu, China correspondent Lane Greene, senior digital editor Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence” Jason Pal...
Jun 25, 2026•21 min
Our correspondent joins an embed in Lebanon , where Israel claims that Hizbullah’s continued strength justifies its campaign. If Israel’s goals diverge from America’s, how does this affect peace talks over the Iran conflict? The impact of the oncoming “ Godzilla" El Niño . And why Japan’s popular princess will never take the throne. Guests and host: Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent Catherine Brahic, environment editor Moeka Iida, East Asia correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligen...
Jun 24, 2026•22 min
On June 23rd 2016, Britain voted to leave the European Union, triggering years of argument, lost economic opportunities and political malaise. Our correspondents look back on the seismic moment and its aftershocks. And, as Britain prepares to get its seventh prime minister in a decade, we ask how the government can look forward to new opportunities . Guests and host: Daniel Franklin, senior editor John Peet, associate editor Tom Carter, Britain economics correspondent Georgia Banjo, Britain corr...
Jun 23, 2026•29 min
After winning a resounding victory for Britain’s Labour party two years ago, Sir Keir Starmer has announced his departure. As the country gets ready for its 7th prime minister in ten years, our correspondent asks if it has become ungovernable. A Trump-loving right winger wins Colombia’s presidency . And “ Toy Story 5 ” sets the toys against technology. Guests and host: Hugo Gye, Britain political editor Hal Hodson, Americas editor Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor Rosie Blau, co-host of “The ...
Jun 22, 2026•21 min
When Alexis de Tocqueville visited America from France in 1831 he saw a new kind of society. Not just a country, but an idea that would change the world. His book “Democracy in America” was a big influence on later generations of writers and thinkers, including The Economist ’s US Editor John Prideaux. Now, 250 years after its birth, the vitality of that democracy is under question. In this series, John retraces the route Tocqueville took to find out how much of what inspired Tocqueville about A...
Jun 19, 2026•3 min
Andy Burnham won a by-election he needed in order to challenge Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s prime minister. We look at the path ahead for him. The Iran deal seemingly promises a financial windfall for the country and its regime—one that its battered economy sorely needs . And the mythmaking of presidential libraries, as seen in the latest one: Barack Obama’s . Watch extended clips from Insider here . Guests and host: Hugo Gye, British political correspondent Fraser McIlwraith, foreign corresponde...
Jun 19, 2026•24 min
As expected, the new Federal Reserve chairman kept rates steady. More interesting were what he did and did not say. How will he handle inevitable pressure from President Donald Trump? After nearly disappearing altogether, Germany’s left-wing Die Linke party is roaring back —particularly among the young. And a selection of our readers’ examples of upward-management tips and tricks. Guests and host: Archie Hall, US economics editor Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief Andrew Palmer, Bartleby columnist...
Jun 18, 2026•25 min
Geopolitics has dominated this year’s G7 political meeting in Evian, France. Donald Trump offered scant detail on the Iran peace deal but leaders promised to boost support for Ukraine . Though prostitution in Japan has a long history, recent scandals have drawn it into the spotlight. And Britain’s Country Life magazine has a winning formula: ignore the news. Guests and host: Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent Rosie Blau, host o...
Jun 17, 2026•23 min
The World Cup may seem to be proof that the digital commons centralises a global audience. We find that entertainment is in fact fragmenting , with big implications for soft power. Our series examining America’s 250 years of history tackles the AIDS crisis and the war on terror . And mosquitoes may in fact be attracted to a gold-standard repellent. Guests and host: Tom Wainwright, media editor Annie Crabill, senior digital editor Matt Kaplan, science correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Int...
Jun 16, 2026•23 min
Despite exchanges of missiles and drones between Israel and Lebanon, the start of a deal was struck overnight. What exactly has been agreed, and will it hold? We examine the idea that part-nationalisation could be a way to share the coming onslaught of AI wealth. And our series on World Cup contenders concludes with a look at England’s side. Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Alex Domash, economics correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Rosie Blau, co-hos...
Jun 15, 2026•23 min
Tocqueville saw America’s faith in its own democracy as a vital force. But these days the majority of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. Can a group of maximum security prisoners in Sing Sing offer a vision of how to get back on track? Guests and Hosts John Prideaux, The Economist ’s US Editor Sean Pica, executive director of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Jean Frantz, prisoner at Sing Sing Correctional Facility Topics Alexis de Tocqueville’s views on volun...
Jun 13, 2026•44 min
John Prideaux, The Economist ’s US Editor, embarks on a roadtrip to see how America’s democracy is faring in the era of Trump. His companion is a long-dead French aristocrat called Alexis De Tocqueville, author of arguably the best book ever written about America. When Tocqueville arrived in New York in 1831, it was a small, low-slung city where pigs roamed the streets. But he was able to see past that—to a vision of the future. Arriving in Manhattan today, John finds cause for concern, even amo...
Jun 13, 2026•51 min
An interview with Lee Jae Myung , South Korea’s president, a year into his role. Though he has stabilised a turbulent polity and overseen a stock market rally, the path ahead may be bumpy. Can India’s cockroach party become a powerful political movement? And celebrating the creator of “Persepolis”, Marjane Satrapi . Watch extended clips from Insider here Guests and host: Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Rosie Blau, host of “The I...
Jun 12, 2026•26 min
Millions of people will tune in when the World Cup starts today. But demonstrators in Mexico, which hosts the first match, are using the international spectacle to draw attention to their causes. Commercial enterprises are on the cusp of making money in space: who will tax the heavens ? And Narendra Modi is unsettling India’s middle class. Guests and host: Hal Hodson, Americas editor Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent Leo Mirani, Ashoka columnist Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence” Ja...
Jun 11, 2026•22 min
The British government tightened immigration in response to public demand. Yet that policy damaged both the country and the Labour party. Our correspondent embeds on a US nuclear submarine to find out how China and Russia are vying for dominance in the Pacific. And what anti-ageing products actually work? Guests and host: Joel Budd, Britain social affairs editor Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor Ainslie Johnstone, science correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence” Jason Palmer, co...
Jun 10, 2026•23 min
Xi Jinping’s first visit to North Korea in seven years has been marked by pomp and shows of friendship. But what does the Chinese leader really want from the trip? Our correspondent visits Goma in Congo to see what life is like under Rwanda-backed rebel group M23. And why curry may soon be off the menu in Japan. Guests and host: Jeremy Page, chief China correspondent John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Moeka Iida, Japan correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: ...
Jun 09, 2026•25 min
The fragile ceasefire between America and Iran is threatened by an exchange of ballistic missiles overnight between Iran and Israel. Our correspondent examines the consequences. China’s BYD cars are losing ground to other electric vehicles. And why hit TV shows inspire “ companion podcasts ”. Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Don Weinland, China business editor Elizabeth Peet, researcher Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligenc...
Jun 08, 2026•24 min
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
