

The Intelligence from The Economist
The Economist
Get a daily burst of illumination from The Economist’s worldwide network of correspondents. Our reporters dig past the headlines to get to the stories beneath—and to stories that aren’t making headlines, but should be. A unique perspective on the issues and events shaping your world.Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ at http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence.If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts
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Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 5, 2023 • 26min
Silva’s mettle: Brazil’s newish president
Our Brazil correspondent surveys the state of the country, as Lula assumes the presidency precisely 20 years after his first inauguration. We ask why America’s armed forces are facing recruitment struggles not seen since the Vietnam War. And as Benedict XVI’s funeral begins, our obituaries editor reflects on his papacy. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Jan 4, 2023 • 27min
We need to balk about Kevin: Congress opens in chaos
Republican control of America’s House of Representatives began in chaos: they failed to elect a speaker, the first time in a century that’s happened. China’s fishing fleet is the world’s largest—and a look at the thinning bounty from West Africa’s waters reveals its effects. And why the theft of catalytic converters is soaring in America. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Jan 3, 2023 • 24min
Ill news, spreads apace: covid in China
The sudden rescinding of zero-covid strictures has, as expected, led to a spike in cases. Our correspondent visits overstretched hospitals and crematoria, and considers what will happen next. Aerial drones have in part shaped the war in Ukraine; now the naval kind are starting to play a role. And French-language purity goes out the window when it comes to startups. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Jan 2, 2023 • 26min
The dragon chasing: China and a new nuclear order
China’s arsenal of nuclear weapons has swiftly expanded; it is now roughly the size of Russia’s and America’s. That will make for a different—and far trickier—landscape of three-way deterrence. We ask what to expect as a mountain of Hollywood’s intellectual property heads for the public domain. And our correspondent checks in on America’s friendliest and most bearded sport. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Dec 30, 2022 • 34min
In passing: the notable lives lost in 2022
From Pelé, the “king of football”, to Britain’s longest-reigning queen, our editors and correspondents reflected on the accomplishments of many notable figures who died this year. But our obituaries editor shone a light also on the lives and legacies of lesser-known figures.For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Dec 29, 2022 • 21min
Best-of three: our country, books and games of the year
It is that best-of time of year. We outline the case for our country of the year, after an uncharacteristically easy nomination process. Our correspondents explain their picks for the best books of 2022. And the shortlist of the year’s best games: there are cats, Norse gods and trombones. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Dec 28, 2022 • 29min
Debasement all around: lessons from 16th-century inflation
In 2022 global inflation spiked at a rate not seen in decades. A look at the world’s very first such bout reveals eerie echoes of today’s woes—and lessons for tackling them. Our correspondent meets Indonesia’s Baduy people, for whom modernity is encroaching on strict religious and ascetic ways. And our data team finds that favourite dog breeds vary by country. Additional music courtesy of Wim van Zanten. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Dec 27, 2022 • 30min
Cattle lines are drawn: cows in India
Cows are venerated in India, but precisely how intensely often depends on politics. And being venerated does not necessarily yield a pleasant life for the creatures. Economists rarely consider how policies will affect birth rates and the yet-to-be-born; we examine the thorny topic of “population ethics”. And foreign-language phrasebooks may be in decline but they maintain huge historical value.For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Dec 26, 2022 • 28min
Land, sea and air: let us move you
In a special episode, our Paris bureau chief witnesses the political divides that become apparent as she switches from France’s famed high-speed railways to forgotten lines. Our culture editor considers the improbably prophetic nature of the film “Titanic”. And, as the last 747 rolls off the line, our correspondent reflects on how the jet reshaped the airline industry. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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Dec 23, 2022 • 32min
An oily sheen: Nicolás Maduro in from the cold
Waves of protest after a stolen election in 2019 came to nothing. Now, thanks to the luck of geopolitics and petro-economics, President Nicolás Maduro is increasingly back in favour. “Peanuts” blazed a trail for comic strips, but beneath the family-friendly messages were a probing examination of the human condition. And a listen to the soundtracks of the franchise’s small-screen adaptations. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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