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 EconomistIraq in a hard place: deadly protests continue
Demonstrations have been growing for a month and show no signs of abating. But would the reforms that the protesters are demanding actually work? We examine a…
The Intelligence from The EconomistMay as well: Boris Johnson’s electoral bet
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has at last secured a general election. Just as with his predecessor Theresa May, that may not result in easier Brexit arithmetic…
The Intelligence from The EconomistNot fare enough: Chile’s protests
The ongoing unrest is no longer about a rise in metro fares; Chileans have risen up to demand that the prosperity of their country be distributed more evenly…
The Intelligence from The EconomistState of disarray: the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
The man who brought Islamic State to the world stage with visions of a brutal “caliphate” has been killed. But the jihadist movement, while weakened, lives on…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPoll dance: Boris Johnson’s election ploy
Britain’s prime minister is making a risky move by calling for a general election in December. Will it succeed any more than it did for his predecessor? In…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCalls to action: Lebanon’s continued protests
What began as protests against a tax on WhatsApp calls has blossomed into surprisingly united and peaceful demands for wholesale government overhaul. Today’s…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPutin, he’s back into it: Russia’s growing influence
Vladimir Putin’s diplomacy regarding northern Syria is just one example of the Russian president’s widening influence. British Airways was once known as the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe course of Trudeau love: Canada’s election
Justin Trudeau will remain prime minister, but will lead a minority government. He will probably be able to continue with his progressive push, but his halo is…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGoing through the motion: more Brexit contortions
It might have been a clarifying vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit motion; instead, more legislation and frustration. We dig through the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistIrish ayes? A new Brexit deal
Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson has a newly struck European Union divorce deal in hand. He has defied the expectations of many, but he still faces a…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAntsy about ANC: reform in South Africa
Our journalists interview Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, about his efforts to clean up his country and his African National Congress party. He’s…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBack to Square one? Tiananmen veterans in Hong Kong
Amid the growing disquiet in Hong Kong are a few survivors of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. These once-moderate voices are changing their minds about…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThen there were 12: the Democrats’ fourth debate
Twelve candidates take to the stage again tonight, with two clear front-runners. We ask how the winnowing field reflects the mood of the party. We also examine…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe enemy of their enemy: the Kurds ally with Syria
Turkey’s violent strikes on north-eastern Syria came as swiftly as America’s withdrawal. The overwhelmed Kurds, once America’s staunch allies against Islamic…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPiS prize: Poland’s crucial election
It is at once a story of post-communist success and of populist threats to the rule of law by the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party. What direction will…
The Intelligence from The EconomistUncomfortable president: Trump’s stonewalling
The White House is stonewalling the impeachment inquiry. Could that hinder the Democrats’ ability to build a strong public case? We look at this year’s crop of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSorry state: Kashmir on lockdown
Two months after India’s Hindu-nationalist government stripped the state of Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy, 7m people are still in limbo. How will it end?…
The Intelligence from The EconomistJust a Kurd to him: Trump’s Syria withdrawal
The president’s sudden talk of departure from a contested strip of the Turkey-Syria border betrays the Kurds who helped beat back Islamic State—and risks…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTrade disunion: America’s tariff wars
Chinese and American trade negotiators will again be trying to avoid more eye-watering tariffs this week; meanwhile a years-long dispute with the European…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDuty call: how Ukraine sees the Trump scandal
A phone call between the presidents has sparked an impeachment inquiry in America. But how do the people of Ukraine view the kerfuffle? Massive student…
The Intelligence from The EconomistImmunisation shot? The case against Binyamin Netanyahu
Political deadlock in Israel is now inextricably intertwined with a case against the prime minister. An eventual coalition could provide him with immunity, or…
The Intelligence from The EconomistReform over function: Peru’s political crisis
A long-running dispute between the president and the opposition-controlled Congress has spun out of control—and it’s not clear who will end up leading the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistParty like it’s 1949: China’s National Day
As at the founding of the People’s Republic, the 70th anniversary featured a tightly controlled parade bristling with the country’s latest military kit. That…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOut-of-office messaging: Britain’s Tory conference
Lawmakers are back in Parliament while the ruling party is elsewhere, laying out its legislative mission. The Tories are divided, more scandals are arising and…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSpoiled ballot: Afghanistan’s election
The country is set for another violent and disputed election. But the fact that Afghans will head to the polls anyway is an encouraging story. Insurance could…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCall to account: Trump-Ukraine intrigues
President Donald Trump’s call to his Ukrainian counterpart is under ever-greater scrutiny. An unexpected impeachment inquiry has started; how will it end? For…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAnd the law won: Boris Johnson’s latest defeat
Once again, Britain’s prime minister has been thwarted, this time for trying to stymie Parliament as the European departure looms. How will Boris proceed, and…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAid for abetting? Trump’s Ukraine call
President Donald Trump’s critics say a telephone call with his Ukrainian counterpart would reveal his most egregious offence yet. But it’s hard to say what…
The Intelligence from The EconomistMadurable: impasse in Venezuela
International sanctions have crimped the regime, and the country’s people. Yet President Nicolás Maduro is still in charge. The only way out is for him to…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTo all, concern: a climate-change special
As the Global Climate Strike gets under way, we look at all matters climatic. History shows that fervent debate—and self-interested misinformation—go back to…
The Intelligence from The EconomistI can do that, Dave: AI and warfare
Artificial intelligence is making its way into every aspect of life, including military conflict. We look at the thorny legal and ethical issues that the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistUrsa minor: Russia-China relations
In the 20th century Russia was the more powerful partner. Take a look at the flows of money and influence today, though, and it’s clear the situation has…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAlways be my Bibi? Israel back at the polls
The country has never had two elections in a year, and the second looks to be as close-run as the first. Could that at last spell the end of the Binyamin…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPipe down: attacks on Saudi oil
Strikes on the world’s largest refinery are bad news for the state oil firm ahead of a record-breaking stock listing—and worse news for the proxy war between…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTo Viktor, more spoils: Hungary’s autocracy
He was once a liberal reformer, but now no institution is safe from Viktor Orban’s iron grip. His transformation into an autocrat is a troubling lesson about…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTrust issues: Huawei’s radical plan
The tech giant finds itself enmeshed in a broad battle between China and America. But Huawei’s boss has an idea that might extricate it: selling off its 5G…
The Intelligence from The EconomistScapegoating: xenophobia in South Africa
Migrants have become a convenient scapegoat for South Africans frustrated by a slumping economy and rampant unemployment—and for the politicians who might…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThings fall apart: Britain’s fading centre-right
Parliament is suspended for weeks. The Conservative party has been hollowed out. The prime minister’s hopes for an election have been dashed, twice. What does…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTali-banned: Trump calls off Afghan peace talks
President Trump has abruptly cancelled talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, raising fears of renewed internal strife. Wales dabbles in nationalism, and it…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDisunited Russia party? Moscow’s elections
This weekend’s vote will fill some fairly inconsequential city positions. But how it plays out will indicate the strength of a rapidly broadening, national…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAge-old problem: reforming France
President Emmanuel Macron embarks on a serious policy challenge today over pensions. Will his efforts at reform re-ignite the protests that have dogged his…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThis is revolting: Britain’s parliament rebels
Boris Johnson has lost his parliamentary majority. Conservative party rebels will now help push for a bill precluding a no-deal Brexit, making an early…
The Intelligence from The EconomistNo safety in numbers: America’s immigration raids
Workplace raids catch many undocumented migrants in one place. But they do nothing to tackle the criminal element that the Trump administration has so…
The Intelligence from The EconomistUntil blue in the face: Hong Kong’s protests
The territory’s authorities have used live rounds, pepper spray and water cannon with blue dye to mark participants in ever-growing protests. What else might…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOut to launch: American nuclear policy
There is a push in America to subscribe to a “no first use” policy on nukes, in a bid to reduce risks and anxiety. But could that actually make things less…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSuspend, disbelief: Parliament and Brexit
Boris Johnson, Britain’s prime minister, sparked widespread outrage by suspending Parliament in the run-up to Brexit. What recourse do lawmakers still have?…
The Intelligence from The EconomistEx-Seoul-mate: Japan-South Korea spat escalates
Century-old discord is never far from the surface for the two countries, but the latest flare-up risks disrupting stability in the region. We estimate how much…
The Intelligence from The EconomistEmmanuel transmission: outcomes of the G7
The weekend summit hosted by France’s President Emmanuel Macron resulted in few concrete actions; mostly the diplomatic dance was intended to keep President…
The Intelligence from The EconomistA friend of mines: Asia’s coal habit
The region accounts for three-quarters of the world’s coal consumption—even as giants such as China and India consider its environmental effects and…
The Intelligence from The EconomistFight or flight: Cathay Pacific
China’s central government has made an example of the huge, Hong Kong-based carrier. Will the ploy work to quell protests in the territory, or just further…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPull out all the backstops: Boris Johnson in Europe
Britain’s prime minister is on the continent ahead of this weekend’s G7 meeting. We ask whether he’ll be able to ditch the Irish “backstop” that has become…
The Intelligence from The EconomistLeague of its own? Italian politics
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has pulled the rug from under the country’s government, betting that his charismatic right-wingery might win him…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPower rationing: Sudan in transition
After months of unceasing protests, military leaders have struck a deal to share power with civilians, while Omar al-Bashir, the country’s deposed dictator, is…
The Intelligence from The EconomistScarcely surviving: Zimbabwe
Electricity, food, water: everything is in short supply in the country, including faith in the government’s ability to recover from Robert Mugabe’s…
The Intelligence from The EconomistYield signs: the global economy
Investors are piling into safe assets as markets whipsaw: what’s driving the global economy these days is anxiety. Is all the worry justified? Nestled among…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPoll reposition: Macri fights back
President Mauricio Macri’s thumping presidential-primary loss in Argentina left the markets fearing a left-wing resurgence. To win over voters, he’s announced…
The Intelligence from The EconomistLet’s not make a deal: Brexit
Talk grows ever-louder of Britain exiting the European Union without a divorce agreement. Most parliamentarians would rather avoid that—but can they do…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSex cells: the modern fertility business
Companies are rushing to fill new niches for would-be parents: in vitro fertilisation extras, swish egg-harvesting “studios” and apps to track reproductive…
The Intelligence from The EconomistRaid in Aden: Yemen’s fragmented conflict
Over the weekend, armed rebels overran Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government. They had defected from a loose, Saudi-backed coalition…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWithdrawal symptoms: America-Taliban talks
America’s envoy claimed “excellent progress” in negotiations ahead of the country’s planned exit from Afghanistan. But stickier talks await, between the…