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 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…
The Intelligence from The EconomistMan of steel, and aluminium: Carney talks trade with Trump
The swiftest way for Prime Minister Mark Carney to ease pressure on Canada’s economy is to convince President Donald Trump today to pare back tariffs. But he…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOne peace at a time: hopeful Gaza talks
As negotiators gather in Egypt, appetite for a short-term peace seems high on all sides. But there is much ambiguity surrounding a lasting accord. In New York…
The Intelligence from The EconomistChainsaw out of gas? Milei’s experiment wobbles
A telling local-election loss, persistent allegations of scandal and an American pledge to prop up the peso: much is chipping away at the experiment of…
The Intelligence from The EconomistSpace invaders: Russia’s NATO nose-thumbing
Russia’s dark-fleet maritime operations and brazen incursions into NATO airspace appear to be precision-engineered to test Western resolve. We ask how this new…
The Intelligence from The EconomistShut happens: US federal funding stops
After Republicans and Democrats failed to compromise on the budget bill, money to US federal agencies has officially been cut off. Donald Trump threatens…
The Intelligence from The EconomistYour peace or mine? Prospects for Gaza deal
After pressure from US President Donald Trump, Israel’s Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been strong-armed into agreeing a deal for Gaza. Will Hamas sign up…
The Intelligence from The EconomistFortunes of war: is Russia’s economy slowing?
The collapse of Russia’s wartime economy has long been foretold, yet massive fiscal stimulus has compensated for the effect of sanctions. Though the pinch is…
The Intelligence from The EconomistUnder different thumbs: a scant TikTok deal
President Donald Trump’s executive order ostensibly puts a years-long debate to bed. But questions persist about who will own—and influence—TikTok’s American…
The Intelligence from The EconomistHome truths: Ukraine’s internal strains
A snapshot of the country reveals deepening military and economic problems—and, perhaps above all, political ones. America’s efforts to clamp down on…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOn warhead be it: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
A long-suspected defence partnership between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has burst into the open. We ask what Pakistan’s extension of its nuclear umbrella will…
The Intelligence from The EconomistStates of disarray: the UN at 80
Coffers running low and an increasingly absent principal member: the United Nations has never looked so precarious. We discuss its future amid uncertain…
The Intelligence from The EconomistOne nation, under God, divisible: Charlie Kirk’s memorial
Part commemoration, part megachurch meeting, largely political rally—the memorial service for Charlie Kirk revealed much about how the Trump administration…