The Intelligence from The Economist
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Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot
7 april 2026 · 21 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Gavin Jackson, South Asia business and economics correspondent
Caitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, America
India, IT work, AI
Gen Z, hobbies
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Hungary for change? A challenger to Orban
6 april 2026 · 26 min
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. Lees meer
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 covered:
Hungary, Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, Fidesz
Jaguars, climate change
Saints, Catholic
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Xi says: who will succeed him?
3 april 2026 · 24 min
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. Lees meer
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”
Topics covered:
Xi Jinping, China, Party Congress
Tech, quantum computing
Michel Rolland, wine, obituary
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Over the moon: Artemis II launches
2 april 2026 · 23 min
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. Lees meer
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 Party, influencers, social media
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Drone wolf: Ukraine’s missile mastermind
1 april 2026 · 22 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editor
Doug Dowson, data journalist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”
Topics covered:
Ukraine, drones, Russia, Putin
Britain, Europe, European Union, single market
American universities, race, discrimination, swimming
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Refine and dandy: Iran’s war bounty
31 maart 2026 · 22 min
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. Lees meer
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, Iran, Kharg Island, sanctions
India, Modi, Maoists
Culture, theatre, understudies
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The bog of war: week five begins
30 maart 2026 · 25 min
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. Lees meer
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, co-host of “The intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran, Houthis, geopolitics, oil
America, migration, colonialism
“Project Hail Mary”, sci-fi
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Hasta la victoria, quizás: Cuba’s broken economy
27 maart 2026 · 24 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Sarah Birke, Central America and Caribbean bureau chief
Natasha Loder, health editor
Tim Cross, senior science writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Cuba, Trump administration
peptides, wellness, pseudoscience
Chuck Norris
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Algorithm and blues: a watershed social-media verdict
26 maart 2026 · 22 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Tom Wainwright, media editor
Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor
Alex Selby-Boothroyd, head of data journalism
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
social-media sites, internet use, online addiction
geopolitics, chokepoints, Strait of Hormuz
animated films
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On goal difference: are America and Israel diverging on Iran?
25 maart 2026 · 24 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, Israel, America
cryptocurrency, Asia
mafias, crime families, history
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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(Another) all-out war: Afghanistan and Pakistan
24 maart 2026 · 20 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Tom Sasse, south Asia bureau chief
Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Caitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Afghanistan, Taliban, Pakistan, TTP
Iran war, oil shock, inflation
music, albums, listening parties
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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From bad to awful: Trump’s four options in Iran
23 maart 2026 · 23 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Alizée Jean-Baptiste, Asia senior podcasts producer
Maria Lisik, news editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, Donald Trump
Thailand, Buddhist monks
gene-editing, fruit
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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Who will deal the final blow? Israel, Lebanon and Hizbullah
20 maart 2026 · 25 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent
Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Lebanon, Hizbullah, Israel, Iran war
Islam, south-east Asia
Jürgen Habermas, obituaries
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An act of self-harm: Trump’s latest war might be his undoing
19 maart 2026 · 25 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Robert Guest, deputy editor
Piotr Zalewski, Turkey correspondent
Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Donald Trump, war in Iran
Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu
America, delivery robots
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Flagging carriers: war shuffles the Gulf-airline flight deck
18 maart 2026 · 19 min
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. Lees meer
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-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
airline industry, Iran war
meat substitutes, plant-based meats
PDFs, AI
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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Barrel vault: a Nigerian refining giant rises
17 maart 2026 · 21 min
Nigeria sorely needed the enormous oil refinery built by Aliko Dangote, who was already Africa’s richest man. We ask what that new capacity means for him, for Nigeria and for the continent. We speak to the surprisingly large and diverse Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles. And how a cancer diagnosis seems to drive some people to a life of crime. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi – Africa correspondent
Aryn Braun – West Coast correspondent
Ainslie Johnstone – data journalist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Aliko Dangote, Nigeria, oil, energy security
Iran’s diaspora, California
cancer, crime, data
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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Let me get this strait: the Iran-war escalation risk
16 maart 2026 · 23 min
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. Lees meer
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 Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, Middle East
China, humanoid robots
power naps, wellness
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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Lone goals: will US-Israel war aims diverge?
13 maart 2026 · 25 min
As Israel continues to pound Iran and expands its offensive against Hizbullah in Lebanon, there are rumblings of disunity with America over the path and goal of the conflict. Why now is the time to buy rubbish stocks. And celebrating the life of grand-clown Philippe Gaulier. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Netanyahu, Trump, Hizbullah, refuelling plane
Markets, oil prices, quality stocks, junk stocks, investment
Philippe Gaulier, clowns, obituary
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Blood from a drone: Iran’s deadly arsenal
12 maart 2026 · 21 min
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. Lees meer
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, America, Shahed drones, Geran, Ukraine, Zelenksy
India, data centres, Amazon, Meta, Google, Nvidia
Monopoly, board games, toys, kidults
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Strait of shock: Iran economic fallout
11 maart 2026 · 25 min
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. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Rachana Shanbhogue, business and finance editor
Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief
Andrew Miller, “Back Story” columnist
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran, oil prices, Donald Trump, Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude, International Energy Agency, Russia
Japan, nuclear, Fukushima, tepco
Oscars, “It Was Just An Accident”, Jafar Panahi
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Oil rise: Trump gets the jitters
10 maart 2026 · 23 min
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. Lees meer
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”
Topics covered:
Iran, Donald Trump, Brent Crude, financial markets, Asia, oil shock
Chinese foreign policy, Wang Yi
Erewhon, food prices, supermarkets
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Follow the leader: Iran picks the son
9 maart 2026 · 27 min
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. Lees meer
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
Scientific research, National Science Foundation, renewable energy
Tenors, choirs, Oxford University
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The third Gulf war: one week on
6 maart 2026 · 30 min
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. Lees meer
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 Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran, Donald Trump, third Gulf war, war goals
Interceptor missiles, military strategy
Ali Khamenei
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Spars and strikes: Who backs Iran war?
5 maart 2026 · 22 min
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. Lees meer
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 intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran, Donald Trump, senate, Turkey
France, Macron, nuclear warheads, NATO
MAGA, marketing
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Crude awakening: Iran oil shock
4 maart 2026 · 21 min
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? Lees meer
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 Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran, oil, gas, global economy, Dubai, Gulf, stockmarkets
Britain, universities, student loans, tax
Line dancing, New York, bar culture
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Escalation: Middle East war widens
3 maart 2026 · 25 min
The war in Iran has entered its fourth day with further American and Israeli strikes, and Iranian retaliation across the region. Now Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has launched a ground offensive in Lebanon. Attacks on Tehran involved the use of Artificial Intelligence, so why is the Pentagon picking a fight with Anthropic, its supplier? And Pokémon turns 30. Lees meer
Watch “The Insider” on Iran: Economist experts ask what will happen next
Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Henry Tricks, US technology editor
Moeka Iida, Japan correspondent
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
War in Iran, America, Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, Middle East
Anthropic, OpenAI, Claude, Artificial Intelligence
Pokemon, media
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War with Iran: Middle East in flames
2 maart 2026 · 29 min
This weekend, America and Israel launched long-anticipated attacks on Iran, killing Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader. Our correspondents analyse what his death means for the country and the strategy behind Iran’s retaliation. We report how Gulf States are dealing with unprecedented instability within their borders. And we assess Iran’s military capability and what might happen next. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Gareth Browne, Middle East reporter
Shashank Joshi, defence editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran attacks, military capability
Ali Khamenei, succession
Donald Trump, foreign policy
Gulf States, Dubai
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Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data
27 februari 2026 · 23 min
For all the promise of transformation that artificial intelligence offers, a close look at macroeconomic data shows little change. Sit tight. A brutal attack in Nigeria reveals how the security crisis is spreading ominously. And a tribute to Virginia Oliver, who cut an unusual figure on the lobster boat she skippered for decades. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Alex Domash, economics correspondent
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Artificial intelligence, macroeconomics
Nigeria, security, jihadism
Virginia Oliver, Maine, lobsters
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Poised and confused: the will-he-won’t-he of Iran strikes
26 februari 2026 · 25 min
As a military build-up continues in the Middle East, President Donald Trump’s messaging remains ambiguous. What could, at this stage, head off conflict? Our series on America’s 250th birthday continues with a dive into our archive on the era leading up to civil war. And a couple of recommendations for the silver and the small screen. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Iran, nuclear deal, military build-up
American history
entertainment, “Dreams”, “Bridgerton”
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Chapo, Mayo, Mencho: another Mexican kingpin falls
25 februari 2026 · 24 min
The targeting of “El Mencho”, the leader of one of the country’s two biggest gangs, has resulted in a predictable spate of violence—more of which is virtually assured. We take a rare look inside Russia to see how four years of war has changed the country. And some surprising advice on how to get your best marathon time. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Sarah Birke, Mexico City bureau chief
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
Tim Cross, senior science writer
Ainslie Johnstone, data journalist
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Mexico, cartels, gang violence
Russia, economy, Ukraine war
Running, training, marathons
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A world-changing war: four years in Ukraine
24 februari 2026 · 21 min
On the fourth anniversary of a war that many predicted would last mere days, much has changed—even beyond the unthinkable misery in Ukraine itself. Alliances have weakened, Europe is rearming like never before and the very nature of modern war has been redefined. Our correspondents take stock and consider what kind of peace is even possible. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Edward Carr, deputy editor
Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Shashank Joshi, defence editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
war in Ukraine, Russia, defence, diplomacy
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When the levy brakes: Trump’s tariffs struck down
23 februari 2026 · 21 min
The smackdown by America’s Supreme Court was resounding: the bulk of Donald Trump’s tariffs were instituted illegally. He will try to rebuild his tariff wall, brick by brick—creating a new crop of winners and losers. Australia’s surging One Nation party threatens a conservative coalition that was already looking slightly shaky. And why Agatha Christie’s prolific output is so enduringly popular. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Rachana Shanbhogue, business-affairs editor
Aaron Connelly, Asia diplomatic editor
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
America’s Supreme Court, Donald Trump, tariffs
Australian politics, Pauline Hanson
Agatha Christie
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The arrest is history: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
20 februari 2026 · 22 min
The detainment of King Charles’s brother is almost without precedent in Britain’s long royal history. He denies wrongdoing, but damage to “The Firm” is already assured. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have fallen into a very public spat that may have grave implications far beyond the region. And our obituaries editor reflects on the life of Jesse Jackson. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Sonny Loughran, Britain writer
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Ann Wroe, Obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Britain’s royal family, Jeffrey Epstein
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, diplomacy
Jesse Jackson
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The splitting image: Yoon verdict will deepen divisions
19 februari 2026 · 26 min
Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s ex-president, has been handed a life sentence for insurrection. That is by no means the end of the story of division in the country. Nervous AI-watchers fret about which workers might be replaced; our analysis suggests white-collar workers can breathe easy. And the memoir of Gisèle Pelicot, a rape survivor turned global symbol of strength. Lees meer
Guests and hosts:
Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief
Alex Domash, economics correspondent
Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol
AI, white-collar jobs
Gisèle Pelicot, memoir
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The Robin Hood state: taxes are getting more progressive
18 februari 2026 · 22 min
Income inequality abounds and today’s rich are staggeringly rich, implying that tax regimes are giving the wealthy more and more of a pass. Our dig into the numbers suggests the opposite. We ask why so many of the world’s international mercenaries hail from Colombia. And despite the signs, Spanish may be reaching its peak in America. Lees meer
Guests and hosts:
Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Carla Subirana, news editor
Lane Greene, senior digital editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Taxation, welfare state, inequality
Colombia, international mercenaries
Spanish
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Ice, ice, maybe: should the Arctic be refrozen?
17 februari 2026 · 22 min
Many scientists are considering the notion of actively cooling the region that is warming fastest. We examine the merits and the risks—both environmental and geopolitical—of messing with the polar climate. We ask why the kind of gig economy that has struggled in many markets is booming in India. And an unsettling peek into the first social network for AI agents. Lees meer
Guests and hosts:
Oliver Morton, senior editor
Catherine Brahic, environment editor
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Alex Hern, AI writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
The Arctic, climate change, geoengineering
India, gig economy
Agentic AI, social networking, Moltbook
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Check in the mail: our analysis of Epstein’s correspondence
16 februari 2026 · 26 min
Our data journalists trawled through the vast email archive of Jeffrey Epstein, a dead sex offender. It is a revealing look at how and with whom he communicated. As interest grows in banning young people’s use of social media, we argue there are better ways to mitigate harms. And a blindfolded introduction to “blouge”, a new, more climate-resilient wine variety. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Dan Rosenheck, data editor
Tom Wainwright, media editor
Tom Standage, deputy editor of The Economist
Topics covered:
The Epstein files
Social-media bans
“Blouge” wine
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Stock options: how to hedge an AI bubble
13 februari 2026 · 22 min
Tech firms are spending so much on artificial intelligence that investors are getting nervous. Our correspondent explains whether it is possible to protect your portfolio from a crash. Turkey’s ruler has become increasingly autocratic–and increasingly old. Who might succeed him? And celebrating the life of literary agent Georges Borchardt. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Piotr Zalewski, Turkey correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Topics covered:
Hedging against an AI bubble
Turkey after Erdogan
Obituary of literary agent Georges Borchardt
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Check in Kyiv: prospects for peace?
12 februari 2026 · 23 min
As Russia’s war in Ukraine nears four years, there has been no let up in the fighting on the battlefield. Yet there is some optimism that negotiations could yield a ceasefire. Our correspondent joins a Colombian drug raid to destroy a cocaine laboratory in the Amazon. And is crime in London really soaring? Lees meer
Guests and host:
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Claire McQue, Latin America writer
Sonny Loughran, Britain writer
Topics covered:
Ukraine peace prospects
Colombia’s war on drugs
Crime in London
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Dhaka matters: an election for Bangladesh
11 februari 2026 · 21 min
The toppling of authoritarian leader Sheikh Hassina in Bangladesh in 2024 was celebrated as a triumph for democracy. Tomorrow the country finally heads to the polls. Our correspondent weighs the choice. Can Mars and other bleak planets be made fit for human habitation? And why AI bots are applying for human jobs. Lees meer
To find out how to have sex in space, listen to this episode of “The Weekend Intelligence”.
Guests and host:
Rosie Blau and Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The Intelligence”
Mark Johnson, senior writer
Oliver Morton, senior editor
Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
Topics covered:
Bangladesh’s election
Astrobiology
How AI changes job recruitment
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A Keir-death experience: Britain's PM clings on
10 februari 2026 · 21 min
Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls for his resignation from a senior party member. He has survived – but Britain’s prime minister is now fighting for his political survival. Assisted dying legislation is catching up with public opinion in America. And what happens when skiing meets rodeo? Lees meer
Guests and host:
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Sacha Nauta, Britain editor
Stevie Hertz, US policy correspondent
Aryn Braun, West Coast corrrespondent
Topics covered:
Keir Starmer’s political future
Assisted dying in America
The sport of skijoring
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Snap judgement: Japan PM’s electoral landslide
9 februari 2026 · 23 min
Takaichi Sanae’s gamble to call a general election has paid off. How will the prime minister’s thumping victory change Japan? New legislation in Republican states could imperil academic freedom. And why “Taxi Driver” resonates 50 years after the film’s release. Lees meer
Guests and host:
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief
Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent
Andrew Miller, author of The Economist’s Back Story column on culture
Topics covered:
Japan’s election
University censorship in America
Fifty years of “Taxi Driver”
For more on Japan’s economy, listen to last week’s episode of Money Talks
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Elon shot: will Musk’s mega-merger work?
6 februari 2026 · 23 min
This week Elon Musk announced the merger of two of his companies: SpaceX and xAI, which makes chatbots. Is the new firm viable? As migrant workers return home for lunar new year, the Chinese Communist Party tells migrant workers not to stay for too long. And our culture editor’s hot take on “Heated Rivalry”. Lees meer
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Nukes of hazard: US-Russia arms treaty expires
5 februari 2026 · 25 min
The New START nuclear deal was signed in 2010 to restrict the number of strategic warheads and missiles America and Russia could amass. Will there be a new deal – and what will happen if not? How social media has helped fuel recruitment to cults. And our baldness correspondent bristles at some hairy questions. Lees meer
Listen back to "The Bomb", our Babbage series on America's quest to modernise its nuclear arsenal.
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Peter and the wolves: Mandelson falls but Epstein scandal spreads
4 februari 2026 · 20 min
Peter Mandelson was a totem of Britain’s Labour party for decades. The newest Epstein files mark the end of his political career. What are the consequences for the country’s prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer? Ryanair is controversial and widely hated—yet strangely successful. And why so many animals engage in same-sex relationships. Lees meer
To get 15% off Economist Education’s new business writing and storytelling course, register with the code ECONWRITING-15.
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Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?
3 februari 2026 · 20 min
After months of speculation, Donald Trump has picked Kevin Warsh to run the Federal Reserve. Our correspondent explains what this means for America–and the world economy. What matters more in Thailand’s election: the will of the people or the power of the monarchy? And why Hong Kong’s humble tram network could help keep tourism on track. Lees meer
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Survival Modi: Indian PM’s fortunes revive
2 februari 2026 · 21 min
After Narendra Modi’s setback in the 2024 Indian elections, many thought his star was falling. Our correspondent explains the surprising resurgence of popular support. Why pushing your child to specialise may not be the best way to nurture their genius. And what the departure of pandas from Japan says about the country’s relationship with China. Lees meer
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Boss Class 1. Fat layer of humans
31 januari 2026 · 36 min
Can AI do my job? How should employees and bosses be using the technology right now? And how should all of us prepare for the future? Lees meer
Andrew Palmer returns for a third season of Boss Class. This time it’s all about AI. In the first episode, he starts introducing AI into his daily work routines, and receives a nasty shock.
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In this episode, Andrew asks Claude, a generative AI programme, to write his management column for him. You can find Andrew’s column here and Claude’s version here.
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Democracy on ICE? The mood turns in America
30 januari 2026 · 27 min
On the streets of Minneapolis, in polls and in the halls of Congress, disapproval of President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda is mounting. Democrats won a near-term battle on funding—for now—but a wider war awaits. Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, appears to be positioning his daughter ever more visibly as his successor. And remembering Mark Tully, a veteran BBC correspondent in India. Lees meer
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No middle ground: Iran’s dangerous division
29 januari 2026 · 22 min
As the smoke of a murderous crackdown clears, Iranians have hardened into two camps. Moderates and reformists are out; a sense of looming civil war is in. As America nears its 250th birthday, we launch our series examining the highlights and low points of its history. And why the wild playground popularity of the song “Sigma Boy” is so worrisome. Lees meer
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