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 EconomistWar with Iran: Middle East in flames
This weekend, America and Israel launched long-anticipated attacks on Iran, killing Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader. Our correspondents analyse what…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data
For all the promise of transformation that artificial intelligence offers, a close look at macroeconomic data shows little change. Sit tight. A brutal attack…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPoised and confused: the will-he-won’t-he of Iran strikes
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistChapo, Mayo, Mencho: another Mexican kingpin falls
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistA world-changing war: four years in Ukraine
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWhen the levy brakes: Trump’s tariffs struck down
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe arrest is history: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe splitting image: Yoon verdict will deepen divisions
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Robin Hood state: taxes are getting more progressive
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistIce, ice, maybe: should the Arctic be refrozen?
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCheck in the mail: our analysis of Epstein’s correspondence
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistStock options: how to hedge an AI bubble
Tech firms are spending so much on artificial intelligence that investors are getting nervous. Our correspondent explains whether it is possible to protect…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCheck in Kyiv: prospects for peace?
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDhaka matters: an election for Bangladesh
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistA Keir-death experience: Britain's PM clings on
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSnap judgement: Japan PM’s electoral landslide
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistElon shot: will Musk’s mega-merger work?
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistNukes of hazard: US-Russia arms treaty expires
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPeter and the wolves: Mandelson falls but Epstein scandal spreads
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 Intelligence from The EconomistTug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSurvival Modi: Indian PM’s fortunes revive
After Narendra Modi’s setback in the 2024 Indian elections, many thought his star was falling. Our correspondent explains the surprising resurgence of popular…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBoss Class 1. Fat layer of humans
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? Andrew Palmer returns for…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDemocracy on ICE? The mood turns in America
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistNo middle ground: Iran’s dangerous division
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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWe’ll be right over here: Europe’s populists sour on Trump
Many of the continent’s populist-right leaders once saw President Donald Trump as an example-setting fellow traveller. But his actions and policies on…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGeneral ejection: China’s military purge
The two men under investigation are in the army’s highest echelon, and are some of President Xi Jinping’s closest counsel. We examine the probable motives for…
The Intelligence from The EconomistResistance is fatal: another killing in Minneapolis
For the second time this month, federal agents in Minneapolis killed a citizen under disputed circumstances. We take a wider look at the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTrailer: Boss Class Season 3
AI is changing how we work. It's turning us all into managers. Be a good one. The Economist’s management columnist, Andrew Palmer, takes on the bots in the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistISIS control: Syria’s prison camp changes hands
Our Middle East correspondent reports from the largest holding camp for ISIS fighters in northern Syria, which government troops have just retaken from Kurdish…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGrave new world: the Greenland row’s lasting damage
After an astonishing week, Donald Trump has said America will not take Greenland by force, nor put tariffs on those who oppose his acquisition plan. Our…
The Intelligence from The EconomistHouse of Kurds: on the ground in northern Syria
In recent days Syrian government troops have tried to retake territory held by the country’s Kurdish minority. Our correspondent reports from the region…
The Intelligence from The EconomistPower ballot: Japanese PM’s electoral gamble
Japan’s prime minister Takaichi Sanae has called an election three months into her term. Can she capitalise on her popularity, or will her less-popular party…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThin ice: could the Greenland clash kill NATO?
Donald Trump has promised to impose a 10% tariff on eight countries, all NATO members, that oppose his plan to acquire Greenland. As the argument over the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistClutching at shahs: Iran’s would-be revolutionary
Reza Pahlavi, son of the shah deposed in the 1979 revolution, tells us he sees himself as the people’s choice to lead. We ask how that might work. Our…
The Intelligence from The EconomistMaria-view mirror: asking Venezuelans what they want now
As Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader, meets with President Donald Trump, we talk through our exclusive polling on what the country wants for…
The Intelligence from The EconomistIndependence Jay? Inflation and attacks on the Fed
More inflation numbers, more jabs by President Donald Trump at Jay Powell, the Federal Reserve chairman. We ask what the Fed is doing, should be doing and is…
The Intelligence from The EconomistLowering the steaks: a Mercosur deal at last
From Argentinian beef to German cars, a freshly inked deal between the EU and a bloc of South American countries should ease trade barriers—and is a sign of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistStrike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel
Each country fears an attack from the other: Iran may wish to distract from internal conflict, Israel to exploit it. In an interview with Prime Minister…
The Intelligence from The EconomistShah caller: Iran’s protests are different this time
Demonstrations are growing once again—but this time the message is notably different, and the regime has little means available to calm tensions. Where will it…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOil pressure: America’s tanker seizures
It had real dramatic elements: a (slow) chase scene, faked locations, a literal false flag, a daring helicopter descent. But what is the broader picture of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistIn the line of fires: LA’s ashen suburbs one year on
We return to the Los Angeles suburbs that were consumed by wildfires a year ago. The varying rebuilding efforts reveal divides in wealth, but also strains in…
The Intelligence from The EconomistXi’s not there: what China’s Venezuela response reveals
The countries have a decades-long relationship—debt freely given in one direction and plenty of oil sold in the other. Yet America’s intervention has served as…
The Intelligence from The EconomistNicolás caged: what next for Venezuela?
America’s National Security Strategy, released a month ago, suggested the administration’s focus was on dominance of the western hemisphere. But no one…
The Intelligence from The EconomistState of the art: Chinese market flounders
Property wealth in China turbo-charged investment in art. Now house prices have crashed, art sales may follow. Are Britons really leaving the country in…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWhat in the world: predictions for 2026
The editor of our annual “World Ahead” publication predicts the themes and events that will dominate the headlines in 2026, from geopolitics to tech. He also…
The Intelligence from The EconomistYears ending: notable lives lost in 2025
Today’s show is a tribute to those whose lives we remembered this year. From Pope Francis, the most open-minded pontiff for decades, and controversial…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBoom with a view: our economy of the year
Announcing the return of The Economist’s annual ranking for best performing economy. Are you ready for the big reveal? Dalit cuisine is barely visible, in…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGenerals’ selection: Myanmar’s sham poll
Five years after seizing power in a coup, the military junta in Myanmar is holding an election. Yet all credible opposition has been banned. And war has…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBattle of the texts: which books changed the world?
So many books are published each year; few stand the test of time. Today we devote our whole show to asking which works have shaped the way we behave and how…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSo this is quizmas: our inaugural holiday face-off
Join our editors and correspondents in a gripping test of recall and reflexes. There are questions on business and politics of course—but also news noises to…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGrowing pains: a recession in recessions
Recessions are, in their way, bad news. But so, paradoxically, is a lasting dearth of them. We explain the dangers that lie beneath the current run of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSlop stars: why AI-generated content could help creators
In a world of infinite content, who wins and who loses? Our correspondent explains what the proliferation of AI-generated art means for human artists. What the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCountry of the year: The Economist’s pick for 2025
Each year, The Economist tries to identify which country has improved the most, whether economically, politically or in other ways. In a turbulent year, the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWeight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk
Since Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy in 2021, it has dominated the fast-growing market for slimming drugs. Now a new jab is eating into the Danish firm’s…
The Intelligence from The EconomistEmissions possible: EU petrol ban quashed
The European Union had promised to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2035, as part of its environmental ambitions. Yesterday it watered down…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAfter Bondi: how to tackle extremism
As the Australian authorities continue their investigation into Sunday’s deadly attack on a Hannukah party in Sydney, investigators have uncovered a possible…
The Intelligence from The EconomistJudgment day: Jimmy Lai convicted
Today Hong Kong’s most prominent media mogul was convicted of flouting national security legislation. Our correspondent explains the consequences for the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistRight, here, waiting: Europe’s populists on the rise
In Britain, Germany and France, populist-right leaders and parties are making hay. What unites their movements, and how do their respective political…
The Intelligence from The EconomistVen and the art of hemispheric maintenance: America’s national-security posture
America’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker fits with the stated goals in its new national-security strategy: untrammelled hemispheric dominance. How much of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDigital stimulation: AI and porn
At every technological revolution, the industry of indecency is close at hand. We look at how sex workers and porn-peddlers are making use of AI. The sites of…