Economist Podcasts cover image

Economist Podcasts

Game of drones: can Ukraine pull ahead?

Aug 30, 2023
Oli Carroll, who covers the invasion of Ukraine for The Economist, shares insights on Ukraine's impressive drone advancements and their crucial role in the counteroffensive against Russian forces. Mark Johnson discusses the positive impact of new international laws on Caribbean tax havens, revealing how transparency efforts are reshaping financial practices. Additionally, Lane Green analyzes the political ramifications of language usage in Spain's parliament, highlighting ongoing debates around regional languages and national identity.
25:20

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Ukraine's drone development has been successful in penetrating Russian defenses, but scaling up remains a challenge due to competition, lack of command structure, and bureaucracy.
  • The British Virgin Islands has implemented reforms to combat tax avoidance, but concerns about illicit activities and pressure from the UK government persist.

Deep dives

Ukraine's Drone Warfare: Developing Capabilities and Challenges

Ukraine has been developing its drone capabilities over the past year, with their drones successfully penetrating Russian electronic warfare and air defense systems. These drones have been used in the ongoing counter-offensive, focusing on degrading Russian logistics and weapon stores. While Ukraine has seen success in its drone development, scaling up remains a challenge due to competition in the global market for components, lack of a single command or procurement structure, and bureaucratic hurdles.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner