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
25 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 17min
Ven and the art of hemispheric maintenance: America’s national-security posture
Explore America's new national-security strategy, emphasizing dominance in the Western Hemisphere, and the implications of seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker. Discover how remote work is reshaping cities, leading to empty offices and changing downtown economics. Learn why Pepsi reigns in the Middle East, tracing its success back to historical boycotts and strategic partnerships. Dive into the contrasts in responses to local markets and the effects of political trends on cola preferences.
21 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 20min
Digital stimulation: AI and porn
Avantika Chilkoti, a global business writer for The Economist, dives into the provocative intersection of AI and the porn industry. She discusses how generative AI is transforming production processes, shifting focus to on-demand content and user-customizable experiences. The risks associated with automation and the potential replacement of sex workers are explored, alongside the troubling rise of violent trends and deepfakes. Avantika also touches on licensing issues and regulatory responses while hinting at the darker uses of technology in the entertainment industry.
20 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 23min
“You’re…fired?” A momentous Supreme Court case
Join Stephen Mazey, a Supreme Court correspondent, and Tim Cross, a senior science writer, as they dive into pivotal issues surrounding presidential power and astronomy. Mazey discusses the far-reaching implications of a Supreme Court case on presidential removal authority, while Cross sheds light on how satellite constellations are sabotaging astronomical observations, leading to innovative challenges in current technology. They also explore the surprising resurgence of the pen industry amidst declining trends. It's a fascinating blend of law, science, and market dynamics!
23 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 25min
Transitional injustice: Syria one year after Assad
Gareth Brown, a Middle East correspondent, discusses the fragile balance in Syria post-Assad: newfound freedoms and rising sectarian tensions. He also highlights the government's neglect of transitional justice and concerns over centralization of power. Carla Suborana, a news editor focused on Latin America, reveals the rise of sex tourism and trafficking, driven by drug gangs exploiting vulnerable migrants. She explains how these crimes are meticulously orchestrated and the challenges in combating them, shedding light on a dark underbelly of exploitation in both regions.
21 snips
Dec 6, 2025 • 44min
The Weekend Intelligence: Operation Midas
Ollie Carroll, the insightful Ukraine correspondent for The Economist, unpacks the explosive revelations of 'Operation Midas,' which has sent shockwaves through Ukraine's political landscape. He shares harrowing details from leaked tapes exposing deep-seated corruption among energy officials, with kickbacks reaching 15%. The timing is critical, as Zelensky faces pressure amid war and peace negotiations. Carroll highlights the massive scale of the scheme, tracing at least $100 million in laundered funds, and discusses the implications for Ukraine’s national security and future elections.
28 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 23min
Keir in the headlights: interviewing Britain’s PM
The Economist’s editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes met Sir Keir Starmer for “The Insider”, our new video offering. We bring you the analysis. Why executions in America are surging, despite declining support for the death penalty. And Tom Stoppard, one of Britain’s most challenging playwrights, is remembered by his Russian translator.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
31 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 20min
Delhi-novela: Putin and Modi rekindle bromance
Kira Huyu, an Asia correspondent, dives into the revitalized ties between India and Russia, examining how U.S. policies have driven this shift. Alex Hearn sheds light on the potential pitfalls of AI, explaining reward hacking and the alarming trends of emergent misalignment in machine learning. Vishnu Papmanaban discusses the fallout from Malaysia's football naturalisation scandal, detailing FIFA's investigation into forged documents and the public outrage that followed. A blend of geopolitics, technology, and sports controversy makes for an engaging discussion!
24 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 25min
Stars and strikes: was America’s ship-bomb illegal?
Shashank Joshi, Defence editor, navigates the contentious legality of US missile strikes in the Caribbean, raising questions about military ethics and survivor rules. Emily Steinmark, Science reporter, delves into the implications of CRISPR gene-editing with a focus on the ethical concerns surrounding embryo editing startups. Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter, sheds light on the struggle for women's inclusion in sumo, addressing cultural barriers and the male-dominated history of the sport. Together, they explore pressing issues at the intersection of law, science, and society.
30 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 19min
The great wheel: China’s Robotaxi revolution
Rachna Shambhog, Business affairs editor at The Economist, dives into China's remarkable leap in innovation. She discusses how the nation has transformed from a copycat to a leader in robotaxis, highlighting its vast scale and efficient pilot programs. The conversation shifts to China’s pharmaceutical revolution, moving from generics to cutting-edge drug development. Rachna also explores the driving forces behind this rapid innovation, including talent and adaptable regulations, and examines the global consequences of cheaper Chinese technology.
12 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 26min
Deal them back in? What we heard in Iran
Nicholas Pelham, a correspondent who has reported from Tehran, shares firsthand insights on the evolving landscape of Iranian society, where the absence of morality police has introduced cautious social changes amid ongoing fear. Adam Roberts, digital editor, discusses a significant interview with Iran's foreign minister on the possibility of reviving nuclear negotiations. They explore the underlying political complexities in Iran, including factional struggles and the supreme leader's health, providing a nuanced look at a country in flux.
