The Intelligence from The Economist

I spy: meeting Ukraine’s intelligence chief

Jul 7, 2023

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s youngest spymaster, discusses his intense leadership and key strategies amid ongoing military tensions. Hal Hudson highlights deep-sea mining as a sustainable alternative for nickel needed in electric vehicle batteries, critiquing current land mining practices. Catherine Nixie reflects on the life of Donald Triplett, the first person diagnosed with autism, emphasizing his remarkable abilities and the societal context of the 1930s that shaped his experience. Their insights spark thought-provoking discussions on resource ethics and historical understanding.

27:27

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Episode guests

Catherine Nixie

Hal Hudson

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Major General Kirill Budanov: Ukraine's Charismatic Spy Chief

10min

The Anywhere Economy and the Nickel Dilemma

2min

Deep Seabed Mining: Opportunities and Risks

5min

Navigating the Complexities of Deep-Sea Mining Regulations

2min

The Early Life of Donald Triplett

6min

Legacy of Don: The Personal Story Behind Case One

2min

We sit down with Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s youngest-ever spymaster. He is intense, resolute—and oddly charismatic. A world of electrified transport is going to need lots of nickel for batteries. We argue that, environmentally speaking, gathering it from the seafloor clearly beats mining it on land (11:12). And remembering Donald Triplett, the first person ever to be diagnosed with autism (19:25).

Additional audio courtesy of “In A Different Key”, inadifferentkeythemovie.com

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