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 this award-winning podcast 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. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part…
Episodes
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…
The Intelligence from The Economist“You’re…fired?” A momentous Supreme Court case
Of all the sackings at federal level President Donald Trump has carried out—and that the Supreme Court has upheld—the one now under consideration has the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTransitional injustice: Syria one year after Assad
A year after ousting its despot, things are not as bad as many had feared. But old sectarian divides threaten the peace. Forced labour, sex tourism and…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Weekend Intelligence: Operation Midas
Ukraine has been hit by a corruption scandal. One that strikes at the core of the political establishment in a way never before seen—and this in a country with…
The Intelligence from The EconomistKeir in the headlights: interviewing Britain’s PM
The Economist’s editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes met Sir Keir Starmer for “The Insider”, our new video offering. We bring you the analysis. Why executions…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDelhi-novela: Putin and Modi rekindle bromance
As Vladimir Putin begins a two-day visit to India, our correspondent explains why Donald Trump’s policies have pushed India and Russia closer together. How AI…
The Intelligence from The EconomistStars and strikes: was America’s ship-bomb illegal?
America’s attacks on possible drug boats in the Caribbean is already controversial. Now critics are questioning the legality of one particular strike in…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe great wheel: China’s Robotaxi revolution
Once derided as a copycat nation, China is now leading the world in innovation, from driverless cars to pharmaceuticals. Our correspondent explains what others…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDeal them back in? What we heard in Iran
Our correspondents get a feel for today’s Tehran: no morality police but still much fear of speaking out. And the foreign minister indicates a desire to return…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Weekend Intelligence: Mise en masse
Chef Gary Thomas has a lot on his plate. That’s because he’s in the business of feeding thousands of people a day on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Not…
The Intelligence from The EconomistFire, then fury: Hong Kong’s deadly blaze
The dead are still being found; the displaced huddle in public spaces. Who or what will be blamed, and what policies will change after the tragedy? We visit…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGrowth negligence: Britain’s budget
The tax-and-spend plan was fine-tuned to avoid immediate political jeopardy. But it will do little to help Britain’s chronic growth problem, and is likely to…
The Intelligence from The EconomistParty likes it 1959: Cuba in crisis
The country’s Communist Party leadership continues to cling to old ideals amid on-again, off-again diplomacy with America—and the people’s suffering only…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWage against the machine: the distortions of minimum pay
For decades governments have found minimum-wage rises a politically expedient means of redistribution. But the onward economic distortions have at last become…
The Intelligence from The EconomistEmission creep: a contentious COP closes
It is telling and troubling that the annual climate talking-shop’s outcome did not even mention fossil fuels. We ask whether the COP process is still fit for…
The Intelligence from The EconomistFlee country: Britain seeks to slash migration
Britain’s home secretary Shabana Mahmood proposed a big shift in immigration policy this week. Our correspondent explains Labour’s reforms – and the reasoning…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWar graft: scandal engulfs Ukraine
Pentagon officials are meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss a Russia-US peace proposal Ukraine had no part in writing. That merely adds…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCrown prince arming: Trump sells jets to MBS
Muhammad bin Salman’s first visit to the White House in seven years earned the Saudi crown prince new weapons, giant tech deals and a burnished reputation. Our…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAfter Sheikh: what next for Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former prime minister, has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The country is at a pivotal moment as it heads…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGang-buster: Can Sheinbaum beat Mexico crime?
This weekend, thousands of people protested in Mexico City about violent crime. But our correspondent notes that the government has had some success in…
The Intelligence from The EconomistToil and rubble: who will rebuild Gaza?
After two years of war, over 80% of the buildings in Gaza have been destroyed. Our correspondent assesses various plans for reconstruction. Do large lay-offs…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOpening punch: Shutdown ends, now more Epstein emails
Last night Donald Trump finally managed to end the longest federal government shutdown in history. But, amid a new release of emails relating to convicted…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe little green look: China’s energy revolution
America has boycotted this week’s COP climate talks, but China has sent a giant delegation. The world’s biggest polluter is increasingly pivotal to tackling…
The Intelligence from The EconomistHome alone: the relationship recession
People are spurning marriage and any other kind of romantic relationship in record numbers. Our correspondents explore the non-dating market. The rise of AI…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBritish Broadcasting Capitulation: BBC bosses fall
The BBC’s director-general and head of news have resigned amid accusations of institutional bias. Can the broadcaster recover its reputation? Ukrainian…
The Intelligence from The EconomistHeir Jordan: the rising star of France’s populist right
Jordan Bardella, the leader of the National Rally party, has a stonking lead in voting-intention polls. His plans, our correspondent says, would put France on…
The Intelligence from The EconomistRecall of duty? Trump’s tariffs in court
Just as soon as President Donald Trump started applying sweeping tariffs on trading partners, legal challenges to them started piling up. We listen in on the…
The Intelligence from The EconomistInto the blue: Democrats win big
In the first electoral test of Donald Trump’s second term, Democrat supporters voted in a socialist mayor of New York and governors to New York and Virginia…
The Intelligence from The EconomistGetting their ships together: America in the Caribbean
As America sends its biggest naval hardware to the Caribbean, we ask whether the intent is more than mere sabre-rattling—and why the Trump administration has…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCapital gained: a grim turn in Darfur
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have at last taken El Fasher, the capital of Darfur. Reported atrocities are sharply rising, in a chilling echo of what…
The Intelligence from The EconomistTruce story: (a sketch of) a Trump-Xi trade deal
Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to holster their trade weapons for now. But even if the deal holds, it does not address the deeper problems in…
The Intelligence from The EconomistManhattan transfer: New York’s finance folk flee
Taxes upon taxes are just one of the reasons that both financial-industry hotshots and businesses are moving out of the Big Apple. We look at what that might…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWar-chest X-ray: how to finance Ukraine
Europe is edging closer to using seized Russian assets to finance Ukraine. The country badly needs that 140bn-euro windfall—and much, much more. A…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBust a vessel: NATO v dark fleets
Ships of unknown origin or intent are flummoxing NATO forces on the high seas. Our correspondent visits the Latvian navy on the Virsaitis as it intercepts a…
The Intelligence from The EconomistLet Milei this out: Argentina’s midterms surprise
Voters overwhelmingly backed the party of President Javier Milei, handing him a lifeline he was not expected to get. We ask how he can finish his vast project…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe great brawl: China is winning the trade war
This weekend American and Chinese officials are meeting to try and ease tensions over trade after China’s recent decision to restrict rare-earth exports. How…
The Intelligence from The EconomistShutting match: what will break the US federal impasse?
The government shutdown in America is now the second-longest on record. Yet there is no apparent urgency to end it, either from Republicans or Democrats. Why…
The Intelligence from The EconomistCocaine and able: drug runners innovate
America has been blowing up ships in foreign waters suspected of carrying drugs. That will do little to dent today’s narco-business, which is more inventive…
The Intelligence from The EconomistRock and rule: Japan’s first female PM
Takaichi Sanae, Japan’s new prime minister, rode motorbikes and plays heavy-metal drums. Will her political ambitions be as bold? America, a nation of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistVoices of Gaza: life amid a fragile peace
Ten days into the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the truce remains tenuous. Today our correspondent speaks to people on the ground in Gaza about what they…
The Intelligence from The EconomistBolt-on charges: Trump's former adviser is indicted
John Bolton, a former Trump ally-turned-critic has been charged with mishandling classified information. That raises further fears that the justice department…
The Intelligence from The EconomistRome run: Meloni’s surprising stamina
When Giorgia Meloni was elected Italy’s prime minister, many people feared she would prove divisive and volatile. Instead, at a time when many other European…
The Intelligence from The EconomistAid pro quo: Trump weaponises foreign help
After cancelling much of America’s international development funding, President Donald Trump is now using that money to boost friends, allies against China and…
The Intelligence from The EconomistWrong side of the hack: cybercrime grows
Cyberattacks have brought firms like Jaguar Land Rover and Asahi to a standstill. Our correspondent asks what companies and governments should do about a…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOut at last: Israeli hostages return
Donald Trump arrived in the Middle East for a victory tour as Israeli captives were finally freed. But the path to peace does not run smooth: Gaza is…
The Intelligence from The EconomistThe Weekend Intelligence: The trial of Yevgenia Berkovich
In May 2024, Yevgenia Berkovich and Svetlana Petrichuk, the director and writer of an experimental play, became the first Russian artists since Soviet times to…
The Intelligence from The EconomistDune raider: Saudi is a video-game superpower
Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, is a huge video-game fan. Now his hobby is becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry for the kingdom, which is…
The Intelligence from The EconomistFinally, a deal: the fragile peace in Gaza
Donald Trump has brokered an agreement between Israel’s government and Hamas. It’s a momentous breakthrough. Our correspondent analyses what comes next. We…
The Intelligence from The EconomistLiberté, égalité, désordre: chaos in France
France’s newly-appointed prime minister has resigned only weeks into the job. Now President Emmanual Macron has given him 48 hours to come up with a plan for…