Economist Podcasts States of disarray: the UN at 80
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Sep 23, 2025 
Anton LaGuardia, Diplomatic editor at The Economist, analyzes the precarious state of the United Nations, discussing funding cuts and potential futures shaped by global politics. Meanwhile, Henry Tricks, U.S. editor (technology) at The Economist, explores the advantages of smaller AI language models over their larger counterparts. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by aspiring London cab drivers due to competition from ride-hailing services and autonomous vehicles, blending diplomacy, technology, and urban transport.
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UN Stage Reveals Diplomatic Fractures
- The UN's 80th session highlights deep diplomatic tensions rather than unity among nations.
- France and other states recognising Palestine signal symbolic shifts but unlikely to change on-the-ground dynamics.
US Funding Cuts Strain UN Operations
- The US is the UN's largest funder and recent cuts create acute budget shortfalls across agencies.
- Reduced American funding forces agencies to cut programmes, threatening humanitarian operations worldwide.
Power Vacuum Risks New Global Order
- Evolving US attitudes risk creating a vacuum that China and Russia could fill diplomatically.
- A drifting America may lead to rival powers setting global rules on tech and governance.