Italy’s longest-serving prime minister has died aged 86. He inspired as much derision as devotion, and for all his gaffes and scandals he helped to shape the country’s media—and its economic malaise. Unfettered by the abandoned nuclear deal, Iran is now making its bomb programme unassailable . And bringing the 20th-century idea of “ Smell-o-vision ” into the 21st. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.econom...
Jun 13, 2023•25 min
Hints of the long campaign ahead are emerging, but all the operations so far are just drawing the eventual, full-scale battle lines. Cheap vaccinations could save millions of lives lost to cervical cancer; we ask why and where jab rates are falling . And why airlines have more money tied up in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffe...
Jun 12, 2023•25 min
He is expected to be charged for failing to return classified documents and obstructing justice. The former president denies wrongdoing, and any possible convictions are still a long way away, but how does this affect his election campaign? Wildfires raging across Canada are choking New Yorkers. We take a closer look at the air quality data. And Putin’s alleged birth mother dies in Georgia. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscrip...
Jun 09, 2023•26 min
The country’s military is renowned for political overreach. Now, its leaders are taking on former prime minister Imran Khan . Is violent unrest on the horizon? Why a new Polish law to rid the country of Russian influence could threaten its democracy. And, the Japanese are taking a new approach to funerals . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
Jun 08, 2023•25 min
Fertility rates are falling to worrying levels, and an older, smaller, global population is bad news for economic growth. Apple’s new headset could revolutionise the virtual reality world, but only if it sells. And, despite being in decline for decades, the tide is turning for Britain’s seaside towns . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
Jun 07, 2023•26 min
After months of waiting, probing attacks have begun. A destroyed dam in Kherson suggests that Russia is upping the ante in response. But what else is in store? Uyghurs are still suffering in Xinjiang, and those who managed to escape China are being gagged. And, our columnist has some advice on keeping it together when the office is driving you mad . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelli...
Jun 06, 2023•24 min
At a meeting of defence ministers from the Asia-Pacific region, heightened tensions between Beijing and Washington were all too apparent. A naval spat in the Taiwan Strait looms large over relations. What will it take for both sides to talk? In Brazil, Lula faces an uphill battle to undo his predecessor’s policies . And are British boarding schools worth it? For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.co...
Jun 05, 2023•25 min
Over two decades in office, the prime minister and her Awami League party have overseen impressive growth and reforms in a notoriously corrupt country—but that same firm hand may now be limiting Bangladesh’s progress . Our correspondent visits the frontier of a potentially transformative technology for reducing atmospheric carbon: direct air capture . And a listen to the astonishing boom in Spanish-language music. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free...
Jun 02, 2023•27 min
The country’s homophobes claim that homosexuality is a malign foreign import; in reality it was anti-LGBT groups from abroad who helped lay the ground for vicious new legislation. Starlink, a satellite-internet constellation, has given Ukraine a battlefield advantage; we ask why that has China’s army so concerned . And the unlikely resurgence of pinball , thanks to some canny marketing. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription...
Jun 01, 2023•23 min
Many of the continent’s economies are hamstrung by debt—much of it held internationally. We look at the growing need for closer co-operation between China, Western creditors and multilateral institutions. A city on Ukraine’s front line has become an unlikely locus for love stories . And unpicking the link between workers’ productivity and their drugs of choice . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economis...
May 31, 2023•26 min
The global digital-payments shift is more than just a matter of convenience. We examine the cashlessness push in different economies and potential effects on different currencies. The Golden Mile, a pioneering multi-purpose architectural experiment in Singapore, is crumbling. We discuss efforts to spare it from the wrecking ball. And a reading list to learn about, and from, history’s greatest hoaxes . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digit...
May 30, 2023•28 min
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again retained the presidency . We ask how the best chance in a generation to unseat him came unstuck—and what to expect from an emboldened autocrat. South Korea’s suicide rates have turned a dark corner, with deaths among women driving rising numbers . And Paul Simon’s new album prompts a look at musical hits first conceived in dreams . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economis...
May 29, 2023•22 min
From infantry to air defences and even electronic warfare, improved strategies and engineering could threaten Ukraine’s counter-offensive plans. How can these ramped-up defences be breached? What would a world of superintelligent AI look like? We use economic theory to conduct a thought experiment. And a tribute to the British novelist Martin Amis . Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free ...
May 26, 2023•27 min
After a glitchy announcement on Twitter, the Florida governor’s campaign is off to a shaky start . And despite strong donor backing, he will struggle to secure the Republican party nomination. Airlines are under increasing pressure to decarbonise but their journey to net zero is going to be long and pricey. And, how British shows can make hay while the Hollywood writers strike. Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions o...
May 25, 2023•25 min
Although Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ party fell short of a majority in parliament, meaning there will be a second vote, the incumbent prime minister did much better than expected. Will he be able to continue the country’s rebound story? America’s clean energy investments are spurring green lobbyists to action. And, how might simple nets protect Ukrainians from drones? Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist ,...
May 24, 2023•24 min
In attempts to amass more wealth, these organisations are dabbling in newer narcotics and even taking on the mining sector . The result is taking a toll on the country’s economy. Can a 100-year-old discovery solve the problem of antibiotic resistance? And we celebrate the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s first folio . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted on Acast. ...
May 23, 2023•28 min
Today, the president will meet with the Republican leader in the house of representatives to try and prevent the country from defaulting . But what if they cannot come to an agreement? Britain is reviewing its surrogacy laws which could ease the process for gay parents. And come with us on a foraging adventure. Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to...
May 22, 2023•27 min
Henry Kissinger was one of the most influential and controversial diplomats of the 20th century. He was National Security Advisor and Secretary of State to two American presidents. Now, with China’s growing influence and the prospect of powerful technology that could change the nature of war, his ideas on great power conflict are more relevant than ever . On the eve of his 100th birthday, The Economist spent over eight hours in conversation with Mr Kissinger. In this podcast special, we focus on...
May 20, 2023•53 min
Over the last couple of decades, the state has been making significant investments into its armed forces in an attempt to challenge America’s dominance. We ask how much further they will go. When the Ukraine war sent energy prices soaring, the consequences for Europe proved fatal . And, a tribute to the father of Tibetan film. Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscrip...
May 19, 2023•27 min
Tomorrow, Syria’s president will be welcomed back into the Arab League as regional leaders meet in Jeddah. Is this the dictator’s first step in a journey to restore ties with the rest of the world? America’s small banks are capturing rural communities in a way that the big ones can’t. And, the world’s largest sporting tournament features some rather niche events. Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist...
May 18, 2023•24 min
In a conversation that lasted eight hours over two days, the statesman discussed paths to peace in Ukraine, his evolving view on their NATO membership, and where China comes into play. Our crony-capitalism index is back, and the chart-topping culprits haven’t changed so much. And, the toymaker, Lego , is facing roadblocks in China. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted ...
May 17, 2023•30 min
Largely thanks to young, liberal citizens, a reformist third party won the most seats in Thailand’s general election. But a powerful army and influential incumbents could look to prevent its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, taking charge. Bureaucracy is getting in the way of America’s international aid programme . And, with the help of DNA sequencing, a new ocean survey is on the hunt for 100,000 new species. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day dig...
May 16, 2023•25 min
Despite the opposition’s lead in the pre-election polls, the incumbent president seems to have performed better than expected. What does a run-off mean for the nation? The mental health of teenage girls is plummeting and according to our data, social media might be to blame. And, have you ever wondered what it takes to be a spy? Start with our reading list . Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey And for full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist ...
May 15, 2023•25 min
The past few years have proved tumultuous both for American consumers and for retailers selling to them. The end result is a curious slump for middle-of-the-road brands. Artificial intelligence like ChatGPT stands to disrupt everything from art to coding; we self-interestedly explore probable effects on journalism . And remembering Ranajit Guha , a historian who saw a different India by looking bottom-up. Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey And for full access to pri...
May 12, 2023•26 min
It is probably this year’s most important election—and for the first time in a long time, the country’s strongman leader has a plausible adversary . Our correspondent heads along to the Hollywood writers’ strike , finding an age-old conflict centred on the technologies that shape the film-and-television industry. And the books to read to become a better home bartender . Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey And for full access to print, digital and audio editions of Th...
May 11, 2023•29 min
A jury unanimously found Donald Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation. We examine his first major legal loss . Thailand’s opposition looks set to prevail in this weekend’s election—whether it ends up in office is another matter. And, Ukraine is blowing up tanks, but not in the way you might think; we explore the battlefield value of inflatable decoys . Take our listener survey at www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey And for full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economi...
May 10, 2023•27 min
Our Russia and defence editors travelled to the capital, finding a city largely back to normal. They ask both civilians and the country’s top brass about Ukraine's position —and its future. China’s population-control measures worked perhaps too well, yet even an incipient labour-market crisis is not changing resistance to immigration. And the issues with America’s springtime rattlesnake round-ups . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital ...
May 09, 2023•30 min
Their return to rule is unequivocally bad for the country’s women and girls. But wholesale collapse has not come and some aspects of government have improved ; it turns out threats of grotesque violence change behaviours. We investigate the curious case of Morocco’s absent king —and his unlikely mixed-martial-artist pals. And how the mobile phone has shaped cinema for half a century. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by...
May 08, 2023•29 min
He has been king since September; now it is time for the pomp . We examine the modern monarchy—and the ancient frippery of coronations. Despite prior reluctance to do much about climate change, America is set to become a clean-energy superpower . And reflecting on the life of Carolyn Bryant , whose testimony led to a lynching that set off America’s civil-rights movement. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www...
May 05, 2023•30 min
Florida’s governor has made a headline-grabbing rightward lurch as part of a presumed bid for the White House. But both Mr DeSantis’s critics and his donors are starting to think he has overplayed his hand . Our correspondent finds that jihadist violence has, as was long feared, come to Burkina Faso . And rural America’s love affair with Japan’s tiny Kei trucks . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economi...
May 04, 2023•24 min
