The Intelligence from The Economist
The Economist
Join Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau for noise-cancelling news and analysis from The Economist's global network of correspondents. Every weekday this award-winning podcast picks three stories shaping your world—the big shifts in politics, business and culture, plus things you never knew you needed to know. On Saturdays, download The Weekend Intelligence to dive deep into a single story, vividly told. 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
Mar 11, 2021 • 23min
Nuclear inaction: the legacy of Fukushima
Noah Snyder, the Tokyo bureau chief for The Economist, shares insights on the ongoing challenges of rebuilding trust in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, emphasizing the hurdles faced by the nuclear industry. Tom Wainwright discusses the future of the Murdoch media empire as Rupert Murdoch turns 90, while Will Caldwell dives into the life of Victorian strongman Eugene Sandow, heralded as the first fitness influencer. Their conversation reveals how past events continue to shape public perception and influence contemporary issues in energy and media.
Mar 10, 2021 • 19min
Whither permitting? Vaccine passports
Helen Joyce, the Deputy Foreign Editor at The Economist, delves into the complexities of vaccine passports, discussing their potential benefits and privacy concerns. Gotti Epstein, the China Affairs Editor, examines the increasing repression of Tibetan Buddhists, drawing unsettling parallels with the plight of the Uyghur Muslims. They explore how vaccine passports could impact global travel and the Chinese government's efforts to undermine Tibetan identity, particularly through religious control. As they tackle these pressing issues, they also reflect on the future of duty-free shopping amid evolving pandemic realities.
Mar 9, 2021 • 21min
Reconciled to it: America’s stimulus bill
The U.S. is on the brink of passing a massive $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan, thanks to clever legislative tactics. Meanwhile, Senegal is experiencing unusual protests triggered by the arrest of an opposition leader, revealing deep-seated frustrations among its youth. The discussion also takes a nostalgic turn as it reflects on the rise and fall of mobile phone ringtones, once cultural staples that defined personal expression in the early days of cell phones.
Mar 8, 2021 • 23min
Despair and disparities: covid-19 consumes Brazil
Sarah Maslin, the Economist's Brazil correspondent, provides a piercing look into Brazil's devastating COVID-19 crisis. She discusses the government's erratic response and the strain on hospitals amidst rising fatalities and the P1 variant. The conversation also touches on the implications of Brazil's situation for global vaccination efforts. Maslin highlights how the pandemic has disproportionately affected women in the workforce. Her insights reveal a stark narrative of despair intertwined with pressing social issues and international concern.
Mar 5, 2021 • 21min
Rubber-stamping ground: China’s parliament meets
David Rennie, the Beijing bureau chief for The Economist, dives into the latest from China, highlighting the National People’s Congress and its ambitious economic growth target of 6%. He discusses the tightening grip Beijing has on Hong Kong, revealing new governance rules that suppress dissent. The conversation also touches on the contrasting challenges faced by the nightlife sector due to COVID-19, alongside Pope Francis's historic visit to Iraq, which aims to uplift the Christian community there. Insightful and timely!
Mar 4, 2021 • 21min
Exit stages left: America and the Middle East
Roger McShane, Middle East editor for The Economist, shares his insights on the shifting U.S. strategy in the Middle East, emphasizing the delicate balance between military presence and effective diplomacy. Su Lin Wong, China correspondent, discusses the crackdown on online film subtitling groups in China, revealing how cinephiles resort to piracy amid stringent censorship. Both guests highlight the challenges of navigating political landscapes while also touching on intriguing research connecting dreams and memory, offering a unique perspective on communication across dream states.
Mar 3, 2021 • 22min
Owing to the pandemic: Britain’s budget
Duncan Weldon, Britain economics editor for The Economist, discusses the financial challenges facing the UK as the pandemic reshapes the budget. He explores the Chancellor's balancing act between job protection and managing debt. Guy Scriven, the climate risk correspondent, dives into cost-effective climate policies amid the urgency for net-zero emissions, and the innovative solutions like Berlin's cargo bikes. The conversation also touches on Zanzibar's unique land ownership issues, where every fruit tree has an owner, reflecting the complexities of property rights.
Mar 2, 2021 • 22min
A dark picture emerges: atrocities in Ethiopia
Tom Gardner, the Addis Ababa correspondent for The Economist, brings stark insights into the ongoing atrocities in Ethiopia's Tigray region, highlighting evidence of war crimes and a dire humanitarian crisis. Simon Rabinovich, the Asia economics editor based in Shanghai, discusses the rise of anti-capitalist sentiment among China's youth, fueled by overwork and inequality. The conversation dives into how historical grievances shape current frustrations amidst a media blackout, revealing the complex dynamics of conflict and dissent.
Mar 1, 2021 • 21min
Coup fighters: Myanmar’s persistent protesters
Charlie McCann, Southeast Asia correspondent for The Economist, and Madeline Schwartz, international affairs writer, delve into Myanmar's ongoing protests against military rule. They discuss the resilience of the protesters in the face of brutal repression and the urgent need for international support. The conversation also addresses the rise of misinformation laws globally, highlighting how these regulations can undermine press freedom while ironically being misused by lawmakers. Finally, they touch on the emerging cannabis industry in British dependencies as a new economic initiative.
Feb 26, 2021 • 21min
Mutual-appreciation anxiety: Putin and Erdogan
Daniel Franklin, Diplomatic editor for The Economist, and Max Rodenbeck, South Asia bureau chief based in Delhi, dissect the curious alliance between Putin and Erdogan, exploring historical tensions and its fragile nature. They also analyze India's economic recovery challenges, particularly the alarming absence of women from the workforce since COVID-19. Additionally, the podcast touches on an unexpected protest anthem that’s shaking up Cuba's regime, showcasing the intertwining of art and activism.
