The Intelligence from The Economist
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Wake-up haul: an Ozempic moment for the brain
19 augustus 2026 · 22 min
Orexins are peptides involved in the body’s sleep-wake system—and are big pharma’s next big thing. Like multi-purpose GLPs, they may have far more uses than just regulating shuteye. We ask why Japan’s post-war innovation boom petered out, and what must be done to breed more unicorns. And why procrastination seems to be on the rise, and how to beat it. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Shailesh Chitnis, global business correspondent
Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor
Benjamin Sutherland, science writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
orexins, peptides, sleep disorders, pharmaceuticals
Japan, innovation, startups
procrastination
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Settler bet: a West Bank flashpoint
18 augustus 2026 · 22 min
Israeli settlers have been clashing more and more with Palestinians in the West Bank, often with government backing. We examine the forces at play in what could soon be yet another battlefront. India’s proliferating civil codes are creating insuperable legal contradictions for a multi-faith people. And answering some letters addressed to our “agony uncle” columnist. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Andrew Palmer, executive editor
Jason Palmer (no relation), co-host of “The Intelligence”
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
West Bank, Palestinians, Israeli settlers, Israel election
India, civil codes, Hindu nationalism
management, advice
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It’s not easy being Green: Zack Polanski
17 augustus 2026 · 24 min
To critics, the Green Party leader is dangerous, even a con man. To fans, he is a national saviour-in-waiting. Our correspondent meets him to see what is behind the hype. So-called SpudCells have just seven bespoke DNA loops, but represent a revolutionary step toward life made from scratch. And the many ways travel agents still beat the bots. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Oliver Morton, planetary affairs editor
Caitlin Talbot, culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Zack Polanski, Green Party
SpudCells, synthetic biology
travel agents, luxury travel
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Afghanistan, five years on: our correspondent visits
14 augustus 2026 · 26 min
Five years after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban show little sign of moderation. Our correspondent reports from the country on what life is like for ordinary people. A giant earthquake reveals two very different Colombias. And celebrating the life of Gurkha climber, Nirmal Purja, who died in an avalanche. Lees meer
Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interview.
Guests and host:
Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief
Claire McQue, Latin America writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Afghanistan, Taliban, sanctions
Colombia, earthquake, Espriella
Nirmal Purja, mountaineer, Everest, avalanche
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Caracas under pressure: democracy in Venezuela
13 augustus 2026 · 21 min
After American troops snatched Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a dawn raid in January, democracy did not seem like a priority. Yet this week, talks between the regime and opposition ended with small, positive steps. Why US consumers’ love of fast food may be slowing. And how many hours of Wagner opera would you sit through? Lees meer
Guests and host:
Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
Brook Unger, senior digital editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Venezuela, Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, Machado
Fast food, McDonalds, burgers
Wagner, “Ring” cycle, classical music
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Pump and circumstance: is China the new OPEC?
12 augustus 2026 · 20 min
The Iran war triggered the largest supply shock in the history of petroleum, yet prices never rose as high as feared. Our correspondent explains how action taken by China steadied global oil flows. Why Brazil has such strict laws on racist language. And the legendary lager of Laos. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
Ana Lankes, Brazil bureau chief
Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
China, Iran, oil supplies, OPEC, crude
Brazil, hate speech, racism
Laos, Beerlao, beer, lager
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Spring, then fall: a weakened Muslim Brotherhood
11 augustus 2026 · 22 min
The Muslim Brotherhood won power and influence in the Arab Spring of 2011. Now autocrats are resurgent and its leaders are in jail or exile. Elon Musk says Europe is more dangerous than America. Is he right? And the puzzling popularity of padel. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent
James Fransham, data journalist
Hamish Clayton, Britain writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Muslim Brotherhood, Islamism, Arab Spring
Elon Musk, Insider, Europe, crime,
Padel, tennis, racket sports
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Under strAIn: breaking the British state
10 augustus 2026 · 25 min
Britons are turning to artificial intelligence to file objections to state institutions, and claim their dues. The resulting deluge of complaints and demands may overwhelm bureaucracies. Should Catholic priests have to report child abuse disclosed in confession? And the perfect height gap in a relationship. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editor
Rebecca Jackson, US Southern correspondent
Doug Dowson, data journalist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
AI, agentic flooding, bureaucracy
Catholic church, confessions, child abuse
Short kings, short men, height differential
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Outsider chance: ending Sudan’s proxy war
7 augustus 2026 · 28 min
We look at the peace that has settled over Khartoum, the ruined capital. War rages on elsewhere, and a slim chance at a settlement rests largely with the belligerents’ foreign patrons. We ask why President Donald Trump has picked a fight over a new bridge between Canada and America. And remembering Betye Saar, who provided profound second lives for discarded objects. Lees meer
Watch extended clips from Insider here.
Guests and host:
Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Sudan war, proxy war, geopolitics
Canada-America relations, Gordie Howe Bridge
Betye Saar, art
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Socialist mobility: a telling Michigan vote
6 augustus 2026 · 22 min
We examine one of America’s primary races, in which a sharply lefty candidate beat the establishment figure. What does that reveal about changes in the Democratic Party? For decades China’s Yangtze River was a polluted, overfished mess. We look at the wins from cleaning it up—and who loses. And a fond look back at postcards as they fade from use. Lees meer
Guests and host:
John Prideaux, executive editor and host, “Checks and Balance”
Gabriel Crossley, China correspondent
Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
America’s primary season, Democratic Socialists of America, Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed
China, Yangtze River, remediation
postcards, second world war, British history
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Taking the shine off: albedo and global temperatures
5 augustus 2026 · 23 min
Fewer clouds, shrinking ice caps, changing pollutants: all result in less of the sun’s energy being reflected back into space. Which is more bad news for a changing climate. Our correspondent explains why so much more of the world’s cocaine is passing through west Africa. And the data that reveal Americans’ discomfort about wives earning more than their husbands. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Oliver Morton, planetary-affairs editor
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Doug Dowson, data journalist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
climate change, albedo, global temperatures
Africa, cocaine, smuggling
wage equality, gender pay gap
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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In arms’ way: Gaza-deal sticking points
4 augustus 2026 · 21 min
President Donald Trump’s claim that Hamas had agreed to disarm in Gaza was, at best, premature. We examine the sticking points of a lasting deal. New-business applications are on a tear in America. We ask why so many people are working for themselves—but not doing much hiring. And the enduring popularity of radio in Africa, aided rather than degraded by social media. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
William Finlator, contributor to The Economist
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Board of Peace
American business, entrepreneurship
Africa, media, radio
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Taken littorally: Spain’s sudden crisis in Ceuta
3 augustus 2026 · 24 min
The deadly rush of migrants into the Spanish exclave has deep roots in a wider North African conflict—and implications for a far wider European fight about immigration. Our India columnist presents an incomplete list of falling objects as a way to examine public-safety failures. And a data dive that reveals how AI writing is forever shifting. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Michael Reid, Spain correspondent and writer at large
Leo Mirani, Ashoka columnist
Caitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Ceuta, migration, Spain, EU, Schengen
India, public safety
AI writing, waning human primacy
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Omission accomplished: why the Iran-war cycle spins on
31 juli 2026 · 26 min
From impasse in Iran to still-unresolved conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, a trend is clear: President Donald Trump’s scant, early plans for peace do not actually forge a path to it. Our correspondent says that in the driverless-car future, it will often be Chinese AI behind the wheel. And remembering Wally Funk, who never relinquished her ambition to become an astronaut. Lees meer
Watch extended clips from Insider, plus our full Elon Musk interview, here
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, diplomacy
China, AI, driverless cars
Wally Funk, astronauts
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Working memory: the surprising decline of dementia
30 juli 2026 · 25 min
A dive into the data reveals that, despite dire past predictions, the prevalence of dementia is actually waning. We take a look at Pix, a beloved Brazilian digital-payments system, and why it so bothers President Donald Trump. And we attend one of the concerts that reveals how the appeal of emo music is holding strong across generations. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent
Carla Subirana, news editor
Sarah Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
dementia, global health statistics, ageing
Brazil, Pix, payment systems, Donald Trump
emo music, My Chemical Romance
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Brave New whirl: Turkey’s opposition overhaul
29 juli 2026 · 20 min
An ousted former opposition leader started a new party—called the New Party. We assess its chances at the ballot box, and under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s thumb. A surrogacy scandal in Germany has prompted a government reshuffle, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz left holding the proverbial baby. And how traditional career advice is falling short for Gen Z. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Piotr Zalewski, Turkey correspondent
Vendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondent
Tom Wainwright, culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Turkish politics, New Party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
German politics, Jens Spahn, Friedrich Merz
Gen Z, careers
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Burning questions: a more fire-prone world
28 juli 2026 · 24 min
Wildfires in France and Spain are only growing worse by the day. We examine what can be done as a future of more fires, and worse ones, becomes more assured. A dig into data on women at work shows several indicators starting to move in the wrong direction. And the American cities rethinking how to handle their after-dark economies. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Oliver Morton, planetary affairs editor
Vinjeru Mkandawire, Britain correspondent
Daniella Raz, US corespondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
fires, France, Spain, fire ecology
women in the workplace, equality
America, night-time economy
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Cockroaches 1, Modi 0: India’s remarkable protests
27 juli 2026 · 23 min
The resignation of India’s education minister was a stunning capitulation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The Cockroach Janta Party, a fast-growing youth movement, has the upper hand for now. So-called macro trading is hard: even with advance knowledge of events, neither man nor machine seems to make much money. And hunting the mosaics of Invader, an anonymous French street artist. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Caitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
India, Cockroach Janta Party, protest, Narendra Modi
macro trading, retail investing
Invader, Flashinvader, street art
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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The Elon game: Musk’s vision of the future
24 juli 2026 · 28 min
After Elon Musk’s first extended interview since SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO, The Economist editor-in-chief reflects on what he told her: that AIs will be in charge in ten years, his dark view of Europe and the inevitably of civil war in Britain. At what age is a child responsible for their crimes? And remembering Mona Khalil, Lebanese protector of turtles. Lees meer
Watch extended clips from Elon Musk on “Insider” here
Guests and host:
Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist
Maighna Nanu, editor of foreign newsletters
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Elon Musk, AI, killer robots, far right, The Insider
child criminals, criminal responsibility, gangs
Mona Khalil, Lebanon, turtles, conservation
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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An interview with Elon Musk
23 juli 2026 · 1 uur 21 min
Elon Musk may be the most powerful man in the world. For his first extended interview since SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO, he sits down with Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief, for The Insider, our video show for premium subscribers. They discuss the timeline for AI overtaking human intelligence, the rapid progress of China, the reasons for his interest in Europe and why he thinks he “got a little too involved” in politics. Lees meer
Watch the full show—and sign up to the Insider newsletter.
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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For bucks’ sake: the rise of self-made billionaires
23 juli 2026 · 25 min
Many people, including politicians, love to hate the super-rich, and assume they have gamed the system. Yet our correspondent reports that a growing share of today’s wealthiest earned their money providing goods and services we all want. A new crackdown on scam compounds in Cambodia. And lessons from the ultimate political animal, Downing Street’s Larry the Cat. Lees meer
Watch “The Insider” interview with Elon Musk from 6pm BST, 1pm EST.
Listen to our podcast series “Scam Inc”.
Guests and host:
Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent
Chris Impey, co-editor of “The Intelligence”
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Billionaires, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Taylor Swift
Scams, scam compounds, Cambodia
Larry the Cat, Andy Burnham, Downing Street
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Kyiv brawl: Ukraine’s top general fired
22 juli 2026 · 22 min
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has fired the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky. That follows days of protests at his sacking of the defence minister. Our correspondent analyses the fallout. America’s murder rate is falling, so why are cops killing more people? And a shift in the Japanese taboo on living in homes where people have died. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Shashank Joshi, defence editor
Daniel Knowles, US Midwest correspondent
Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Fedorov, Syrsky, Zelensky, Ukraine
Police killings, gun crime, murder
Japan, haunted houses, jiko bukken
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Hard cedar: Lebanon seeks Trump’s help
21 juli 2026 · 22 min
Today, Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun visits the White House to ask for Donald Trump’s help rebuilding the country. Our correspondent reports from his recent trip to Lebanon on the challenges it faces. Threats to Red Bull’s magnificent marketing machine. And why the age gap between the wealthiest men and their wives is shrinking. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Vendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondent
Doug Dowson, data journalist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Lebanon, Beirut, Joseph Aoun, Hizbullah
Red Bull, energy drinks, extreme sports
Trophy wives, age gap, misogyny
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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A firm Andy: what are new British PM’s plans?
20 juli 2026 · 26 min
Andy Burnham faces tough challenges as Britain’s new prime minister, both within his party and the country at large. Our correspondent analyses his prospects. After years of strife, how can Syria be rebuilt? And food markets have changed New York. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Hugo Gye, Britain political correspondent
Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer, prime minister
Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, Assad
New York, street markets, farmers’ markets
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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You’ve come a long way, Bibi: Israel’s crucial election
17 juli 2026 · 24 min
Binyamin Netanyahu’s government will, unusually, serve out its full term. What comes after October’s election will decide what kind of Israel will emerge. Our correspondent asks whether the World Cup will be remembered more for the dramas on the pitch or off it. And a tribute to A23a, the world’s largest iceberg, after it melts away at last. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Josie Delap, Middle East editor
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Israeli election, Binyamin Netanyahu
World Cup
icebergs, climate
Watch extended clips from Insider here. And listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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In it to bin it: Nigel Farage v Count Binface
16 juli 2026 · 23 min
We take a peek into a quirk of British politics as the country’s populist-right polling leader goes up against a man who wears a bin on his head. It is more serious than it sounds. Africans tired of shoddy internet services are turning to Starlink—for a price. And our culture editor reviews an anachronism-laden take on a classic epic. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Hugo Gye, British political correspondent
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Nigel Farage, Count Binface, British politics, farce
Africa’s internet infrastructure, Starlink
“The Odyssey”, Christopher Nolan
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Strait and narrowing: the Iran deal crumbles
15 juli 2026 · 22 min
The sketch of a deal to end the war is all but dead; oil is up as strikes rain down. We look at the options available to America—all of them bad. India’s government websites are almost universally impossible to use; we look at the structural reasons behind the bad IT. And the growth of summer camps for adults. Lees meer
Listen to our “The Weekend Intelligence” episode on kidulting.
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Leo Mirani, Ashoka columnist
Rachel Mayman, senior audience editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, Strait of Hormuz
India’s government, IT
summer camps, kidulting
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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The case of the missing totem: Aung San Suu Kyi
14 juli 2026 · 23 min
Myanmar’s jailed leader has not been seen since 2022. We ask if she is in fact alive, and what might happen if the military junta acceded to demands for her release. We examine Turkey’s plan to turn the war in Iran to its advantage. And delving into the research on just how much sleep is enough—and too much. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Aaron Connelly, Asia diplomatic editor
Cerian Richmond-Jones, international economics correspondent
Sam Wikeley, science correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar
Turkey, economics, Iran war
sleep, science
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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A hawk who flew on political winds: Lindsey Graham
13 juli 2026 · 20 min
The longtime South Carolina senator died suddenly at the weekend. His political arc mirrored that of his Republican party in the Trump era. We ask what his death leaves behind. Frontier AI models opaquely embody a worldview and set of values; we poke the big ones, asking what they believe. And why Old Master paintings are again so popular. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Adam Roberts, foreign editor
Sondre Solstad, senior data journalist
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Lindsey Graham, Republican party, American foreign policy
AI frontier models, values
art market, Old Masters
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Putin’s options: an oligarch speaks out
10 juli 2026 · 25 min
This week Andrey Melnichenko, Russia’s biggest industrialist, warns in The Economist that disaster is looming for his country as the war in Ukraine continues. What does it mean when members of the elite risk broadcasting their discontent? Our correspondent describes life in Kyiv as attacks intensify. And our week-long journey down Route 66 reaches the end of the road. Lees meer
Watch extended clips from Insider here.
Guests and host:
Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Russia, Putin, Andrey Melnichenko
Ukraine, Kyiv, drone, interceptor
Route 66, car culture
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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Peace fire: further US-Iran strikes
9 juli 2026 · 21 min
As America hit 90 targets in a second day of attacks on Iran, the fragile truce is in jeopardy. Our correspondent explains how power shifts within Iran may affect the war. Asian governments are trying to force children to care for ageing parents. And day four of our journey down Route 66 traverses a darker side of the road. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent
Farah Cheah, Asia reporter
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran, ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz, Ayatollah
Filial piety, ageing, elderly care
Route 66, Oklahoma, race relations
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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Marine warfare: Le Pen runs for president
8 juli 2026 · 24 min
Last night, the populist-right leader announced that she will run in the French presidential election next year. Our correspondent analyses the Le Pen dynasty and explains how this decision will shape the campaign. The world’s first refuge for whales once held in captivity. And our journey down America’s Route 66 takes us into its commercial history. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Sam Colbert, senior podcast producer
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Marine Le Pen, National Rally
Whales, beluga, animal rights
Route 66, America
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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Continental rift: NATO’s tense summit
7 juli 2026 · 20 min
As NATO leaders gather for the annual summit in Turkey today, the thorniest issue is off the agenda: fractures within the alliance. Our correspondent travels to the Baltics, where a strategic shift is already evident. First there was vibe coding, now vibe lawyering is coming to courtrooms. And day two of our great American roadtrip down Route 66. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor
Anna Kerr, senior audience editor
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
NATO, Ukraine, Ankara
Vibe lawyering, vibe coding, courtroom
Route 66, California
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The mourning show: the politics of Khamenei’s funeral
6 juli 2026 · 21 min
The Iranian regime hopes the massive crowds gathered for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral will demonstrate its strength. Our correspondent says they could also reveal its weakness. Why Japan wants to change its divorce laws and custody arrangements. And the first part of our week-long road trip down America’s iconic Route 66. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent
Moeka Iida, East Asia correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Ayatollah, Khamenei, Iran, Supreme Leader
Japan, divorce, custody
Route 66, Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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The 250-year experiment: America’s birthday
3 juli 2026 · 36 min
Big birthdays are often a time for reflection. Our editors and correspondents chat through the state of American democracy as seen from inside and outside the country, the country’s perennial paroxysms of immigration policy, and its undimmed power to export its culture to the world. Lees meer
Watch extended clips from Insider here.
Guests and host:
Robert Guest, deputy editor
Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent
Daniel Knowles, Midwest correspondent
Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
American history, American democracy
immigration policy
American cultural exports
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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Roaring trades: oil majors’ secret success story
2 juli 2026 · 23 min
Big oil firms keep one part of their business hush-hush: trading. Amid an almighty oil shock, the majors’ trading arms are raking it in. But competition is mounting. We look at the Trump administration’s messy attempts to regulate frontier AI models, and how that may cost America its AI edge. And why the biggest music tours are going to fewer places. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
Shashank Joshi, incoming Washington bureau chief
Vicky Jessop, culture writer
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
oil majors, oil trading
AI, frontier models, American regulation
music business, concert tours
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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Fault lines: Venezuela’s paltry earthquake response
1 juli 2026 · 22 min
Government help was thin on the ground just after the country’s worst quakes in a century. The America-backed regime is thus on literal and figurative shaky ground. A food-delivery robot trial in England represents the future of the service. And why Harlan Coben’s proliferating thrillers are cheesy but gripping. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent
Alex Hern, AI writer
Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Venezuela earthquakes, disaster response
delivery robots
Harlan Coben
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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Gulf-co-operation counsel: what next for the region
30 juni 2026 · 24 min
With Iran emboldened and America an ever more capricious security partner, Gulf countries face several post-war challenges. They should put their divides aside to tackle them. We dig one last time into our archive to chronicle American history, bringing our series up to the present day. And the mounting evidence that plants can “hear”. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Matt Kaplan, science correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, Middle East geopolitics
American history, semiquincentennials
plants, biology, science
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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Latin lessons: the Donroe-doctrine boost
29 juni 2026 · 17 min
For all the Trumpian chaos in Latin America, no other developing-world regional economy has done so well in the past year. We examine the Donroe dividend. The cost to make jollof rice, a staple dish in Nigeria and Ghana, is a window into the countries’ economies. And the BBC waves goodbye to its long-wave radio service. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Cerian Richmond-Jones, international economics correspondent
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Bo Franklin, senior editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Latin America, Donroe doctrine, mining
Nigeria, Ghana, cost of living, jollof rice
BBC, long-wave radio
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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Far Crimea: war comes to Russia’s door
26 juni 2026 · 28 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Matt Steinglass, Europe editor
Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Ukraine, Crimea, Zelensky, Putin
SpaceX, Elon Musk, trillionaire, valuation
Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve, monetary policy
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Fear-jerker: America’s AI backlash
25 juni 2026 · 21 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. Lees meer
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 Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”
Topics covered:
Artificial intelligence, midterms, Alex Bores
Divorce, China, fertility
Heatwaves, Europe, air-conditioning
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Missing peace: will Israel imperil Iran deal?
24 juni 2026 · 22 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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Catherine Brahic, environment editor
Moeka Iida, East Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Lebanon, Hizbullah, IDF, Majdal Zoun
El Niño, climate change, famine
Japan, Naruhito, Aiko, Princess Toshi
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
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Keep qualms and carry on: a decade after Brexit
23 juni 2026 · 29 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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Daniel Franklin, senior editor
John Peet, associate editor
Tom Carter, Britain economics correspondent
Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”
Topics covered:
Brexit, European Union, EU
David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Andy Burnham
AI, defence
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
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Starmergeddon: British PM resigns
22 juni 2026 · 21 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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Hugo Gye, Britain political editor
Hal Hodson, Americas editor
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence”
Topics covered:
Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, Britain, Labour
Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, cocaine
Toy Story 5, tech, screen time
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
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Trailer: Tocqueville Road Trip
19 juni 2026 · 3 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 America remains—and how worried we should be about what’s changed. Lees meer
Out now
Find the show on The Economist app | On Spotify | On other apps
On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/tocqueville-road-trip-from-the-economist/id1896918330
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Coming in Andy: Britain's prime minister-in-waiting
19 juni 2026 · 24 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. Lees meer
Watch extended clips from Insider here.
Guests and host:
Hugo Gye, British political correspondent
Fraser McIlwraith, foreign correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
British politics, Andy Burnham, Labour party
Iran war, Iran deal, Iran’s economy
Barack Obama, presidential libraries
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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First rate: Kevin Warsh’s Fed debut
18 juni 2026 · 25 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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Archie Hall, US economics editor
Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief
Andrew Palmer, Bartleby columnist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Federal Reserve, interest rates, monetary policy, Iran war
Germany, Die Linke, left-wing politics
management, managing management
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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View from the summit: what did the G7 achieve?
17 juni 2026 · 23 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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter
Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
G7, Donald Trump, Iran, Ukraine
Prostitution, Japan, sex work
Country Life, publishing, Britain
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
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Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun
16 juni 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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Tom Wainwright, media editor
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Matt Kaplan, science correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
global media, World Cup, culture
American history
mosquitoes, science
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
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On the home strait? A path to peace in Iran
15 juni 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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Alex Domash, economics correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, Middle East, America
AI, wealth redistribution
World Cup, England
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.