Shows / The Intelligence from The Economist
The Intelligence from The Economist
Join Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau for noise-cancelling news and analysis from The Economist's global network of correspondents. Every weekday the winner of "Best Daily Show" at the 2026 British Podcast Awards, 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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Episodes
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Europe is not so hot on its green parties
Melting ski slopes, floods and droughts are enraging the continent’s citizens, but not quite enough for them to consider voting differently. Our correspondent…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Kim Jong Un’s fighting talk
As the hermit kingdom is getting ever cosier with Russia, it is becoming bolder in its provocations of conflict with the south. Growing risks of escalation…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Haiti’s latest nightmare
Despite growing pressure from powerful local gangs, Ariel Henry, the prime minister, is refusing to step down. The state has descended into such a quagmire…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Labour’s union
A steady 20-point lead in the polls suggests that the Labour Party could comfortably win Britain’s next election. How have they managed to gain such a broad…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: A Super predictable Tuesday
In a result that will surprise few, America is on track to hold a rematch of the 2020 presidential election, with Joe Biden and Donald Trump winning most of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Modi’s battle for the south
The richer, more urban region does not just differ economically, but politically too. Can Mr Modi tone down the BJP’s Hindu nationalism and gain traction…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Pressures for peace
The international push for a ceasefire in Gaza continues, but the tragedies keep coming; in many ways a resolution still seems as distant as it was early in…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Weekend Intelligence: Life and fate
A year on from our series Next Year in Moscow, Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, is dead. Hope for the “beautiful Russia of the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Drug gateway
A visit to a port of entry at America’s Mexican border reveals the difficulties in stopping the flood of fentanyl—a cheap, potent and ever more deadly drug…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Redoubled agents
A slew of spycraft mishaps might suggest Russia’s once-great intelligence services have hopelessly decayed. Do not be fooled: the spooks are back, and better…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: If Beijing had a ballot
Some within China might prefer another Donald Trump presidency while others might favour Joe Biden. On balance, though: from there, neither option looks great…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Horn under a bad sign
The birth rate of unicorns—firms with a valuation north of $1bn—has plummeted, and prior investors in them are eyeing what exits exist. We ask why the species…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Coming to a Nikki end
After a 20-point primary walloping in South Carolina, the state she governed for eight years, Nikki Haley vowed to fight on against Donald Trump for the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Ukraine’s war, two years on
In this roundtable discussion our editors examine how the past year has progressed, discuss how things may go over the next year and consider a few…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: No water, no lights, no beds
Hardened war-zone doctors say the situation in Gaza is the worst they have witnessed—and that will cost lives long after the current conflict is resolved…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: I’m your private lander, a lander for money
If it succeeds—and that is no sure thing—this week’s soft landing of Odysseus will be the first by a private firm. We examine the prospects and the business…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Faith-based reeling
China’s firms are shedding value at pace and foreign investors are starting to look elsewhere. We ask why faith is fading in a market that once looked…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Russia after Navalny
At last President Vladimir Putin’s regime has succeeded in silencing the country’s most prominent opposition figure. What happens next? Demand for electric…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Weekend Intelligence: One day in the life of Alexei Navalny
When Alexei Navalny flew back to Russia in 2021 he never made it through passport control. In an excerpt from Next Year in Moscow, The Economist’s series on…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Out-of-this-world war
This is not science fiction. Space is already a part of modern warfare and as technology advances, it will be an even more crucial sphere. What will…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: A former general, elected in Indonesia
Prabowo Subianto stormed to victory in the world’s largest single-day election. But critics say his presidency could jeopardise two decades of democratic…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Split bill
After an all-nighter, a $95bn foreign aid bill for Ukraine and other allies passed the US Senate. But amid much division, it may not even make it to a House…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Undoing PiS poor laws
Donald Tusk’s predecessors in the hard-right PiS party captured the state and compromised its checks and balances. The newly-elected centrist party is having a…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Troubled waters
Squabbles over the seas and their tributary waterways are becoming more tense as rivalries deepen and the climate changes. How should the West prepare? An…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: General dynamics
As had long been telegraphed, Ukraine’s top general Valery Zaluzhny is now out; Oleksandr Syrsky is in. That marks a new phase in the war, and an opportunity…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Going for broker
Our correspondent is travelling with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on yet another gruelling tour of the Middle East trying to broker peace. What…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: At a crossroads (really)
In one of this year’s largest votes, Indonesia will elect a new president in one week’s time; this time the sanctity and future of its democracy are at stake…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: They thought it was Sall over
Macky Sall, Senegal’s president, has said he would not stand again. So what to make of the move to delay the election until December? Our correspondent says…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Strikes, a careful balance
Dozens of air strikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen were designed to show American resolve without themselves provoking a deeper conflict. We ask what happens next…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Will Apple’s customers share its Vision?
Last month, Microsoft briefly overtook the iPhone maker as the world’s most valuable company. As Apple’s core business slows, could the launch of its new…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Vietnam’s golden opportunity
The populous South-East Asian country is uniquely well-positioned to benefit from the deepening rift between America and China, so what’s stopping it? How a…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Indonesia’s election, more TikTok than tick-box
Campaigning for a coming election in the world’s fourth-most-populous country has been almost entirely policy-free: a good social-media presence is nearly all…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: China’s ever grander property crisis
One of the country’s biggest property companies, Evergrande, has been crippled by its debt. What does a new court order mean for prospective homebuyers, and…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Iran increases the stakes in the Middle East
Iran-backed proxies have killed three American soldiers and injured dozens of others in their weekend strike. A response from the Pentagon seems inevitable…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Weekend Intelligence: Digital Ghosts
As life moves progressively online, it is becoming increasingly possible to keep people alive in the digital sense. Tech companies are starting to use AI to…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Milei’s laborious reforms
For decades, Argentina’s labour unions have seemed like they can’t be touched. But the country’s new radical, libertarian president is daring to try. Ahead of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: what AI could mean for the world’s poorest
Generative artificial intelligence dominated conversations at Davos this year. How might education and healthcare be transformed as the technology reaches the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Donald trumps Haley in New Hampshire
His decisive victory demonstrates just how much of a hold he still has on the Republican party, but his last remaining competitor is not bowing out just yet…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: is Germany al[t]right?
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party represents a growing anti-immigrant rhetoric in the country, but people are taking to the streets in their thousands to…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Ron down, two left
He went from being the most viable challenger to Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, to endorsing him. Our US editor opines on why Ron DeSantis’…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: the relentless audacity of Alexei Navalny
The ominous disappearance of Russia’s opposition leader led many to fear the worst. But he has turned up in an Arctic penal colony—his message of resistance…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: The darkness before the Don
Many of America’s business leaders reckon a second Trump term would be worse for them and for the economy than the first was—not that they’re speaking up about…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Gaza’s ever-graver crisis
A tentative aid deal in Gaza is just a sliver of what is needed; hunger and disease may well claim more Palestinian lives this year than the military campaign…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: The CCP would like chips with that
China’s flip-flopping on video-game regulation reveals a messy message: leaders want to encourage “hard tech” such as chips and AI over the consumer…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Independents’ day
Taiwan’s election of William Lai Ching-te of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is sure to annoy leaders in Beijing; we ask what to expect next…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Air strikes on Houthi rebels
America and its allies delivered on a threat to retaliate against Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been targeting Red Sea ships. How far will the escalation go?…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Growing, no pains
America seems to be in a best-of-worlds scenario: growth is outpacing expectations even as inflation keeps falling—how will the party end? This week’s loss of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Emmanuel override
Gabriel Attal, France’s youthful new prime minister, represents President Emmanuel Macron’s renewed push to pass policy reforms and to counter a resurgent…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Country code
As with many technologies that preceded it, generative artificial intelligence is increasingly viewed as a means to geopolitical advantage: welcome to the era…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: If a tree falls in the Amazon
Our correspondents travel through the rainforest, seeing the pollution and clear-cutting firsthand. Establishing the rule of law first requires a decent…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: The city that never slipped
From Brexit to covid-19, nothing has yet stymied London’s successes. The city has its problems, but it remains a paragon of policymaking. In the last of our…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Workers of the world, delight!
Labour markets are changing in all kinds of ways, thanks to ageing societies, hot-running economies and technological boosts. It all adds up to a golden age…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: the killing of a Hamas leader
Saleh al-Arouri has long been a high-priority target for Israel and his death could weaken the Palestinian militant group. However, it could also draw…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: Volodymyr Zelensky on Ukraine’s year ahead
As Vladimir Putin promises to intensify Russia’s attacks, Mr Zelensky is frustrated at the wavering support from the West. Speaking to The Economist from his…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: 2024 is a big year for democracy
Citizens across more than 70 countries will be heading to the polls over the next twelve months. It’s a record year for voting, but how democratic will the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: the notable deaths of 2023
Only at the end of the year can a full appraisal be made of the figures—and landmarks—that the world has lost. From Harry Belafonte to Henry Kissinger, from…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: The Economist reads
What can A Space Odyssey by Arthur C Clarke tell us about AI? Does Shakespeare's Othello contain a warning for the 2024 US presidential election? Our…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: The Economist explains
On our website and in our app, “The Economist explains” is one of the best-read features. Today we invite a few of their authors to keep explaining. What is…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: who wins The Economist’s country of the year?
Which country improved the most this year? Nominations poured in from across the editorial department, and the competition was tough, but who came out on top?…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Intelligence: searching for the elixir of life
Scientists are making considerable progress in the race to slow the ageing process of our cells, and in turn, our bodies. But what would living for longer…