The Intelligence from The Economist

The Intelligence from The Economist

The Economist

53 episodes

Episodes

Drone truth: Russia has the upper hand
Sep 18, 2026 · 25m
The Intelligence examines Ukraine’s challenging winter as Russia gains an upper hand in drone and missile production, threatening to strangle the Ukrainian economy and morale.
Rise and shine: Warsh’s Fed rate test
Sep 17, 2026 · 21m
The episode examines the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates under new chair Kevin Walsh, analyzing the political tensions with…
The end of the world is AI? An existential threat
Sep 16, 2026 · 24m
The Intelligence examines the existential risks of AI, debating whether a pause is feasible amid US-China rivalry and recent autonomous hacking incidents.
Islamism in Britain: what is the threat?
Sep 15, 2026 · 23m
Rosie Blore and Jason Palmer discuss the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in Britain, featuring correspondent Sonny Locran on the distinction between Islam and Islamism.
Strait and narrowing: the Houthis’ striking advance
Sep 14, 2026 · 22m
The Intelligence examines the Houthi military advance in Yemen, which has seized key coastal areas and disrupted Red Sea shipping, escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The Weekend Intelligence: Shire folk
Sep 12, 2026 · 49m
This episode of The Intelligence explores the rise of British far-right figure Tommy Robinson and his growing influence on American perceptions of the UK.
Out-numbered: AI’s contentious maths milestone
Sep 11, 2026 · 22m
The episode examines OpenAI’s claim to solve the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem, sparking debate over whether AI solutions lack the mathematical insights valued by the community.
Working through it: the AI jobs boom dawns
Sep 10, 2026 · 19m
The episode examines the US labor market, arguing that AI has created roughly one million new jobs in infrastructure and tech sectors, offsetting modest layoffs.
Chainsaw sputtering: Milei’s experiment falters
Sep 9, 2026 · 22m
Latin America correspondent Kinley Salmon reports on Argentina's President Javier Milei, whose radical economic reforms have curbed inflation but…
School of shock: teenagers get dimmer
Sep 8, 2026 · 21m
This episode examines the long-term decline in global student performance on PISA tests, attributing the drop to pandemic disruptions, lax discipline, and the distracting effects of technology and AI.
All right on the night: AfD’s victory
Sep 7, 2026 · 24m
The episode covers the AFD's shocking 44% victory in Saxony-Anhalt, which threatens to install a far-right state premier for the first time since WWII.
Bargaining chips: Nvidia is the bank of AI
Sep 4, 2026 · 24m
NVIDIA employs aggressive financial engineering, including guarantees and startup investments, to sustain AI chip demand, raising concerns about circular financing risks akin to the dot-com boom.
Ire and ICE: the toll of America’s deportations
Sep 3, 2026 · 23m
This episode examines Trump’s mass deportation strategy, noting its shift from visible raids to quieter, tech-driven interior arrests and the resulting political backlash among Hispanic voters.
Right in front: AfD could win German state
Sep 2, 2026 · 23m
This episode examines the AfD’s potential victory in Saxony-Anhalt, Palantir’s controversial UK contracts, and China’s emerging artisanal chocolate market.
After the flood: Nepal’s ongoing rescue
Sep 1, 2026 · 16m
The episode covers Nepal’s devastating floods, analyzing the disaster’s causes and the nation’s unpreparedness amid climate change and political instability.
Stars in their AIs: tech is changing Hollywood
Aug 31, 2026 · 20m
The episode explores AI’s disruptive impact on Hollywood, detailing its use in filmmaking and the resulting industry controversy.
Bots on the ground: China leads humanoid race
Aug 28, 2026 · 24m
The episode covers China’s rapid expansion in humanoid robotics, highlighting the challenges of training data and high costs despite impressive demonstrations.
Big shot: does a cancer vaccine work?
Aug 27, 2026 · 22m
The episode covers a breakthrough Moderna mRNA cancer vaccine, Canada’s booming oil industry amid trade tensions, and the death of Dolly Parton.
Slip the surly bonds? Scott Bessent goes on a yield trip
Aug 26, 2026 · 22m
The episode examines US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s controversial attempt to lower bond yields, which experts view as a symbolic gesture…
Even-more-maximum pressure: sanctions on Iran
Aug 25, 2026 · 23m
The episode examines the US Treasury’s new economic sanctions against Iran, analyzing their likely limited impact due to Iran’s sanction-evasion experience and China’s continued trade.
Elbows up, again: a US-Canada trade flare-up
Aug 24, 2026 · 21m
The episode examines the collapse of US-Canada trade talks, leaving Canada to navigate Trump’s tariffs while balancing internal political pressures.
I, robot? AI and consciousness
Aug 21, 2026 · 24m
This episode explores whether AI can achieve consciousness, debating biological versus computational theories with science editor Alok Jha.
An interview with Yuval Noah Harari
Aug 20, 2026 · 1h 8m
Historian Yuval Noah Harari discusses AI’s potential to surpass human intelligence and assume control over finance and politics.
Bombs and bombshells: Zelensky under pressure
Aug 20, 2026 · 22m
This episode examines Ukraine’s political turmoil as former defense minister Mykhailo Fyodorov calls for elections amid corruption probes and intensified Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Wake-up haul: an Ozempic moment for the brain
Aug 19, 2026 · 22m
This episode explores the pharmaceutical potential of orexin agonists, which may rival GLP-1 drugs in treating sleep disorders and beyond.
Settler bet: a West Bank flashpoint
Aug 18, 2026 · 22m
This episode examines escalating settler violence in the West Bank, where Israeli government complicity risks sparking a new conflict ahead of elections.
It’s not easy being Green: Zack Polanski
Aug 17, 2026 · 23m
Andrew Miller examines Zach Polanski’s transformation of the UK Green Party into a populist force, analyzing his unconventional background and political rise.
Afghanistan, five years on: our correspondent visits
Aug 14, 2026 · 26m
This episode examines Afghanistan five years after the Taliban takeover, highlighting consolidated hardliner power, widespread poverty, and restricted freedoms.
Caracas under pressure: democracy in Venezuela
Aug 13, 2026 · 21m
The Intelligence covers U.
Pump and circumstance: is China the new OPEC?
Aug 12, 2026 · 20m
This episode examines how China’s strategic oil stockpiles and export bans mitigated global price spikes during an Iran conflict.
Spring, then fall: a weakened Muslim Brotherhood
Aug 11, 2026 · 21m
This episode examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s decline amid autocratic backlash and US pressure, debunks Elon Musk’s claims about European crime…
Under strAIn: breaking the British state
Aug 10, 2026 · 24m
This episode explores how citizens use AI to navigate complex government bureaucracy, creating an "arms race" that strains public institutions.
Outsider chance: ending Sudan’s proxy war
Aug 7, 2026 · 28m
This episode examines Sudan’s ongoing civil war, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and foreign interference by the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Socialist mobility: a telling Michigan vote
Aug 6, 2026 · 21m
The Intelligence examines Abdul El-Said’s progressive primary victory in Michigan, analyzing its implications for the Democratic Party and the upcoming Senate race against Mike Rogers.
Taking the shine off: albedo and global temperatures
Aug 5, 2026 · 23m
This episode examines record ocean heat driven by reduced atmospheric reflectivity and sulfur emissions, the surge of cocaine trafficking through…
In arms’ way: Gaza-deal sticking points
Aug 4, 2026 · 21m
The episode examines the stalled Gaza ceasefire, noting deep skepticism between Israel and Hamas regarding disarmament and troop withdrawal despite Trump’s claims.
Taken littorally: Spain’s sudden crisis in Ceuta
Aug 3, 2026 · 24m
This episode examines the migrant surge in Ceuta, driven by geopolitical tensions between Spain, Morocco, and Algeria.
Omission accomplished: why the Iran-war cycle spins on
Jul 31, 2026 · 25m
The episode analyzes the stalled US-Iran negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the failure of Trump’s vague diplomatic approach.
Working memory: the surprising decline of dementia
Jul 30, 2026 · 25m
Brave New whirl: Turkey’s opposition overhaul
Jul 29, 2026 · 20m
Burning questions: a more fire-prone world
Jul 28, 2026 · 24m
This episode examines unprecedented wildfires in Europe, the stalling of women’s career advancement as they “lean out” of the workforce, and the rise of “nightlife mayors” in US cities.
Cockroaches 1, Modi 0: India’s remarkable protests
Jul 27, 2026 · 22m
This episode explores the seismic resignation of India’s education minister following youth-led "cockroach" protests against exam corruption and political dissent.
The Elon game: Musk’s vision of the future
Jul 24, 2026 · 27m
The episode features an extensive interview with Elon Musk on AI’s future and his controversial political views, alongside a report on Sweden’s shift toward criminalizing children.
An interview with Elon Musk
Jul 23, 2026 · 1h 20m
Elon Musk discusses his vision for an AI-driven future where superintelligent robots create immense abundance, rendering money and traditional work obsolete.
For bucks’ sake: the rise of self-made billionaires
Jul 23, 2026 · 25m
This episode explores the shifting legitimacy of billionaires, arguing that self-made wealth from competitive sectors is rising despite anti-oligarchy sentiment.
Kyiv brawl: Ukraine’s top general fired
Jul 22, 2026 · 21m
This episode examines Ukraine’s internal political crisis following the dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov and General Sersky, highlighting…
Hard cedar: Lebanon seeks Trump’s help
Jul 21, 2026 · 22m
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visits the White House to seek US support for rebuilding his war-torn nation and curbing Hezbollah’s influence amid a severe financial crisis.
A firm Andy: what are new British PM’s plans?
Jul 20, 2026 · 26m
Rosie Bloor discusses Andy Burnham’s ascension to UK Prime Minister, analyzing his cabinet choices and devolution plans amid economic challenges.
You’ve come a long way, Bibi: Israel’s crucial election
Jul 17, 2026 · 23m
The episode covers Israel’s upcoming election, analyzing the political stakes and key opposition figures challenging Benjamin Netanyahu.
In it to bin it: Nigel Farage v Count Binface
Jul 16, 2026 · 22m
The Intelligence explores a UK by-election where Nigel Farage faces comedian Count Binface, highlighting the quirks of British politics.
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