Join Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau for noise-cancelling news and analysis from The Economist's global network of correspondents. Every weekday this award-winning podcast picks three stories shaping your world—the big shifts in politics, business and culture, plus things you never knew you needed to know. On Saturdays, download The Weekend Intelligence to dive deep into a single story, vividly told.
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With little time to spare before a threatened civilisation-ending attack, America agreed a pause in fighting with Iran. We ask how the temporary deal was reached and how likely a permanent one is. China has an ever-expanding, state-led IVF programme : can that actually reverse a deepening demographic crisis? And the right way to think about AI’s entry into literature . Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Carla Subirana, news editor Andrew Miller, special correspondent Ros...
President Donald Trump’s rhetoric has grown yet more bellicose—and sweary. His stated ploy to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants would be ruinous for Iran, and Iran’s planned retaliation ruinous for the region. AI-driven job losses predicted for India’s IT sector are looking more likely to be job gains. And why Gen Z is taking up boomers’ hobbies. Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Gavin Jackson, South Asia business and economics correspondent Caitlin Talbot, digita...
Viktor Orban , Hungary’s prime minister, is an idol to the global nationalist conservative right. Losing the next election would have far-reaching consequences. Could tourists help boost jaguar populations in South and Central America? And the number of Catholic saints is soaring. Guests and host: Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence” Matt Steinglass, Europe editor Ana Lankes, Brazil correspondent Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent Topics cover...
A giant leadership reshuffle is underway in China, but one job will stay the same: Xi Jinping is almost certain to secure another five-year term at next year’s party congress. Reasons to be optimistic about Europe’s tech future. And the life of controversial winemaker, Michel Rolland . Guests and host: James Miles, global China writer Guy Scriven, global business writer Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence” ...
NASA has successfully launched its first crewed space mission in over a decade. Our correspondent explains why America wants to build a moonbase. AI models underperform in languages other than English. And meet China’s social-media stars: influencer-officials . Guests and host: Oliver Morton, senior editor Deena Mousa, science writer Gabriel Crossley, China correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Artemis II, moon, NASA AI, LLMs, language China, Chinese Communist Part...
Ukraine’s resistance to Russia relies on the clever use of drones . Much of that strategy is down to a single person, a former grain trader with a great idea. Our correspondent meets him. Since the Brexit vote a decade ago, Britain has become more like Europe. And why American universities are abandoning the notorious swimming test . Guests and host: Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editor Doug Dowson, data journalist Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Inte...
An Economist investigation reveals that Iran is profiting from the war as it evades sanctions and oil prices surge. India’s government has promised to crush the country’s Maoist insurgency . Our correspondent visits a former rebel stronghold. And why understudies , a theatre’s insurance policy, are underestimated. Guests and host: Rachana Shanbhogue, business affairs editor Kira Huju, Asia correspondent Hamish Clayton, culture writer Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Oil, Ir...
The Iran conflict is escalating with little prospect of an end in sight. Our correspondent explains why a US ground invasion is likely. In an ongoing history series , we look at how America’s attitude to migrants changed as it got richer. And “ Project Hail Mary ” is a sci-fi film drawing wide audiences. Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Annie Crabill, a news editor in New York Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, ...
Even before America crimped Cuba’s oil, the country was teetering . We ask what is to blame for the Cuban people’s plight, and whether anything better is in prospect. The craze of injecting peptides is not only scientifically unsupported—it is potentially dangerous. Chuck Norris once got mad at dinosaurs. Just once. Our obituaries editor recounts his unlikely rise to international manly stardom. Guests and host: Sarah Birke, Central America and Caribbean bureau chief Natasha Loder, health editor...
A jury in California agreed with a plaintiff who argued that Meta and Google, two social-media giants, designed their platforms to be addictive. That opens the floodgates to more litigation and perhaps to regulatory change. We examine the world’s maritime chokepoints and how they shape geopolitics—littorally, not figuratively. And how digitally animated films came to dominate the box office. Guests and host: Tom Wainwright, media editor Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor Alex Selby-Boothroyd, h...
In the daily tea leaves one might read that President Donald Trump would prefer a deal with Iran to a continuing military campaign. Where would that leave Israel and its goals ? Cryptocurrencies have gained a particular foothold in Asian economies; will they become real financial infrastructure or just tools of fraud? And tracing the history of mafias through the ages. Guests and host: Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent ...
Air strikes and border raids have turned cross-border tensions into hot conflict . We ask what raised the temperature, and whether the Iran war may act to lower it. Meanwhile that war’s oil shock brings with it fears of rising inflation; we examine how recent disruptions might inform policy decisions. And “ listening parties ”, once for music-industry insiders, are becoming the norm. Guests and host: Tom Sasse, south Asia bureau chief Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent Caitlin Talbot,...
As the war in Iran progresses, none of the options available to Donald Trump looks good. We examine each of them. Thailand’s Buddhist monks are implicated in lots of lawless and dodgy behaviour—but clearing out the bad apples is more complicated than it seems. And gene-editing comes to the fruit bowl : we look at what science is serving up next. Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Alizée Jean-Baptiste, Asia senior podcasts producer Maria Lisik, news editor Rosie Blau, co-...
As attention has focused on war in Iran, Israel sees an opportunity to crush a weakened Hizbullah in Lebanon. Our correspondent says it would be far better for the Lebanese state to do so. As south-east Asia is modernising, Islam is counterintuitively gaining greater primacy in civic life. And a tribute to Jürgen Habermas , Germany’s and perhaps Europe’s most prominent intellectual. Guests and host: Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent Ann Wroe, obituaries ed...
A rash entry into a war of choice exposes President Donald Trump in a number of ways—and he may prove more dangerous as he becomes weaker . Turkey’s foreign entanglements mask the democratic backsliding at home; that is bad news for an opposition figure whose trial just began . And Americans seem to be taking their anger out on food-delivery robots . Guests and host: Robert Guest, deputy editor Piotr Zalewski, Turkey correspondent Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent Jason Palmer, co-host of ...
Cancelled flights, longer routes, higher prices: the war in Iran is taking its toll on the airline industry. The conflict may force lasting change on the big Gulf carriers. We ask why the once-frothy fake-meat industry is losing its bite . And why PDFs, one of technology’s most pervasive file types, may meet their end thanks to AI. Guests and hosts: Simon Wright, industry editor Hollie Berman, news editor Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co...
The Intelligence investigates Aliko Dangote's enormous oil refinery in Nigeria, examining its impact on the nation's energy security and his broader vision for African industrialization, alongside criticisms of his business model. It then shifts to the Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles, known as "Tehrangeles," highlighting their varied perspectives on US involvement in Iran. Finally, the episode discusses a Danish study revealing an unexpected correlation between cancer diagnoses and a subsequent rise in criminal activity, exploring economic and social factors at play.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the focus of the war in Iran. The options available point to an acute risk of a broadening regional conflict. China is making great strides in building humanoid robots —but so far they are more about entertainment than utility. And a look at the science to help you get power naps right. Guests and hosts: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Don Weinland, China business and finance editor Harry Taunton, audience editor Rosie Blau, co-host of “The I...
The podcast examines the divergence between US and Israeli goals in the ongoing conflict, with Israel seeking regime change in Iran while the US prioritizes oil flow control, raising questions about a joint exit strategy and Israel's precarious future. It also offers surprising investment advice, suggesting that "low-quality" stocks may be a better option than "quality" ones amidst market uncertainty driven by rising oil prices. Finally, the episode pays tribute to Philippe Gaulier, a legendary clown and teacher known for his harsh but transformative methods aimed at helping students find their authentic comedic selves and critique society.
Iran continues to retaliate against attacks with ferocity. Though many of its ballistic missile facilities have been razed, its vast drone armoury is powerful and destructive. Who will benefit from India’s boom in data centres ? And why giant board games are not child’s play. Guests and host: Shashank Joshi, defence editor Gavin Jackson, South Asia business and finance correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence” Topics covered: Iran, Americ...
Overnight, the Pentagon said it “eliminated” 16 Iranian mine-laying ships, raising further jitters about the global impact of the war in Iran. Fifteen years after a tsunami caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster , Japan is restarting reactors. And our correspondent meets Jafar Panahi , the Iranian director whose film is nominated for two Oscars this weekend. Guests and host: Rachana Shanbhogue, business and finance editor Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief Andrew Miller, “Back Story” columnist ...
After oil prices climbed to nearly $120 a barrel yesterday, Donald Trump signalled a possible abrupt end to the conflict in Iran. Markets calmed, but the course of the war remains unclear. Why China’s government has said little about Iran. And how a hippy grocery store became America’s swankiest supermarket . Guests and host: Edward Carr, deputy editor of “The Economist” Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief Avantika Chilkoti, global business correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence...
After Iran appoints a new supreme leader , what does the choice tell us about the resilience of the regime and how the war will progress? Scientific research in America has taken a battering in Donald Trump’s second term. And why British choirs face a shortage of tenor voices. Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Daniella Raz, US correspondent Joel Budd, Britain social affairs editor Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, oil prices ...
After a momentous week , our editors reflect on how uncertainty about the goals of the war in Iran will affect its course. Iran’s retaliation has been fierce and wide ranging. How long can Gulf stocks of missile interceptors last? And our obituaries editor looks back at the life of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei . Guests and host: Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor Josie Delap, Middle East editor Shashank Joshi, defence editor Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligen...
As America continues to batter Iran, what are the domestic implications of the war for Donald Trump? The widening conflict has prompted some European countries to deploy defensive forces. France has also announced a bigger shift in policy: to bolster its nuclear arsenal. And the politics of beer and nappies . Guests and host: Adam Roberts, foreign editor Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The inte...
As America and Israel continue to bombard Iran, much of Iran’s retaliation is directed against energy infrastructure . With tankers blocked and oil prices rising, our correspondent discusses the impact on the global economy. Why do student debts weigh heavily on Britain’s graduates? And is line dancing really becoming sexy? Guests and host: Rachana Shanbhogue, business affairs editor Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent Hollie Berman, news editor, US bureau Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Int...
The Intelligence unpacks the intensifying Middle East conflict, including Israel's ground offensive and Hezbollah's involvement, alongside the US military's controversial deployment of AI in strikes against Iran and its policy clash with AI firm Anthropic. Finally, the episode explores the enduring global phenomenon of Pokemon, marking its 30th anniversary and its profound cultural and commercial legacy.
Following the US-Israel attacks that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Middle East plunged into a regional war. Iran retaliated with widespread strikes across Gulf states, challenging their stability and forcing them to re-evaluate their alliances. The episode explores Iran's succession challenges, the polarized public response, and President Trump's shifting, often unclear, objectives for the conflict amidst low American public support.
The episode delves into the paradox of artificial intelligence, questioning why its rapid advancements haven't translated into significant economic productivity gains, drawing historical comparisons to previous technological revolutions. It also provides an in-depth report on the complex and spreading security crisis in Nigeria, highlighting the various armed groups involved and discussing national and international response strategies. Finally, the podcast celebrates the extraordinary life of Virginia Oliver, who dedicated nearly a century to lobstering in coastal Maine.
The Intelligence examines the significant US military buildup in the Middle East, analyzing President Trump's ambiguous stance on Iran and the unlikely prospects for a nuclear deal. It then continues its series on America's 250th anniversary, exploring the tensions leading to the Civil War, from the Dred Scott ruling to Reconstruction. Finally, the episode offers cultural recommendations, reviewing the timely film "Dreams" and critiquing the latest season of "Bridgerton."
