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
Aug 20, 2021 • 22min
Value-free investing: China and Afghanistan
David Rennie, the Beijing bureau chief for The Economist, shares insights on how China's foreign policy is navigating the Taliban's rise, framing it as a chance to cast the U.S. in a negative light. Slavia Cankova, Healthcare correspondent, discusses alarming new findings about the declining effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and the controversy over booster shots. The conversation dives into the broader implications of these issues for global health and political dynamics, making it a compelling listen.
Aug 19, 2021 • 22min
Fits and starts: SARS-CoV-2’s origin
Natasha Loder, The Economist's health policy editor, delves into the uncertain origins of SARS-CoV-2, discussing the challenges of uncovering the truth behind its emergence amidst political pressures from China. Matthew Hulhaus, the British politics correspondent, shares insights into Boris Johnson's struggle to align his environmental promises with the automotive industry's impact. They explore the race towards electric vehicles and the legacy of fried chicken, highlighting its complex cultural history and significance in social dynamics.
Aug 18, 2021 • 19min
Stymie a river: the American West dries up
Erin Braun, The Economist's Mountain West correspondent, sheds light on the alarming water crisis in the Colorado River, noting the urgent need for new management strategies as climate change exacerbates drought conditions. Meanwhile, Anshul Pfeffer, Israel's correspondent, discusses the international fallout from the misuse of Pegasus spyware, raising vital questions about privacy and government surveillance. They also touch on the revival of Iru, a beloved Nigerian seasoning, celebrating its culinary journey from local staple to global phenomenon.
Aug 17, 2021 • 20min
It rains, it pours: Haiti’s tragedy compounds
Sarah Burke, The Economist's Bureau Chief for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, shares insights into the dire situation in Haiti, exacerbated by natural disasters and political instability. Max Rodenbeck, the South Asia Bureau Chief, reflects on the fraught history between India and Pakistan, stemming from their 1947 partition and the ongoing Kashmir conflict. The discussion also touches on Indonesia's unexpected rise to badminton prominence, showcasing its cultural significance and the nation's sporting triumphs.
Aug 16, 2021 • 22min
Nothing to break the fall: Afghanistan
Shashank Joshi, Defense editor for The Economist, and Brooke Unger, International correspondent, tackle the dramatic fall of Kabul and the aftermath of the Taliban's return to power, with a spotlight on the implications for education and women's rights. They also discuss the global shift towards life sentences as an alternative to capital punishment, examining the humanitarian debates surrounding this trend. Joshi shares insights on Afghanistan's evolving international relations, while Unger highlights the intricacies of justice and prison reform.
Aug 13, 2021 • 23min
Thicket and boarding pass: travel’s tangle of rules
Avantika Chilkoti, an international correspondent for The Economist, and Simon Rabinovich, Asia economics editor, discuss the tangled layers of travel restrictions during the pandemic. They delve into the opaque and often oppressive travel rules across nations, questioning their effectiveness. Chilkoti reveals the grim realities in Xinjiang, highlighting the region’s economic challenges amid Uyghur repression. The conversation also touches on evolving workplace norms and a farewell to a columnist critical of corporate inefficiencies.
Aug 12, 2021 • 22min
Bridges and divides: America’s infrastructure push
Idris Kaloun, Washington correspondent for The Economist, provides an in-depth look at President Biden's ambitious infrastructure plan, highlighting its bipartisan support and potential impact on the federal deficit. The discussion dives into the challenges and strategies involved in passing significant budget bills that accompany the infrastructure investment. Kaloun also shifts focus to Zambia's pivotal election, addressing concerns over corruption and voter intimidation, illustrating a pressing struggle for democracy amidst broader political upheavals.
Aug 11, 2021 • 20min
Blazed and confused: Turkey’s raging fires
Flames ravage Turkey and the Mediterranean, exposing a government caught unprepared for the disaster. The transformation of the landscape leaves local communities devastated. As climate crises escalate, the rise of open-source intelligence reveals how individuals leverage freely available data to challenge narratives and track significant events. Meanwhile, invasive hornets threaten American honeybees, prompting urgent measures from beekeepers. This dynamic interplay of nature, technology, and human response highlights the urgency of addressing environmental vulnerabilities.
Aug 10, 2021 • 18min
Shots or fired: America’s vaccine mandates
Tamara Jolks-Bohr, U.S. correspondent for The Economist, dives into the complex landscape of vaccine mandates in America. She discusses the mixed reactions from the public and governmental policies aimed at enhancing community health through these mandates. The conversation shifts to the impact of the Delta variant on vaccination rates, particularly in hesitant states. Jolks-Bohr also highlights the ongoing semiconductor shortage affecting the automotive industry and the surprising rise of snake sightings in Mumbai due to urban development and climate change.
Aug 9, 2021 • 21min
Hot prospects: a sobering IPCC report
Rachel Dobbs, a climate change writer for The Economist, discusses the alarming findings of the latest IPCC report, stressing the urgent need for global action to combat human-caused climate change. Sarah Maslin, who covers South America, delves into Bolivia's political crisis following the controversial 2019 elections, exploring debates around electoral integrity and the citizens' frustrations with political paralysis. Together, they highlight the pressing issues of climate and political instability that demand immediate attention.
