The Intelligence from The Economist

The Economist
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Mar 16, 2026 • 23min

Let me get this strait: the Iran-war escalation risk

Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent, analyzes how control of the Strait of Hormuz could widen the Iran-Israel conflict. Don Weinland, China business editor, explores China’s push into humanoid robots and the manufacturing supply chain behind them. Harry Taunton, audience editor, breaks down the science of short power naps and how to nap effectively for alertness.
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Mar 13, 2026 • 25min

Lone goals: will US-Israel war aims diverge?

As Israel continues to pound Iran and expands its offensive against Hizbullah in Lebanon, there are rumblings of disunity with America over the path and goal of the conflict. Why now is the time to buy rubbish stocks. And celebrating the life of grand-clown Philippe Gaulier. Guests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentJosh Roberts, capital markets correspondentAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Netanyahu, Trump, Hizbullah, refuelling planeMarkets, oil prices, quality stocks, junk stocks, investmentPhilippe Gaulier, clowns, obituaryListen 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.
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Mar 12, 2026 • 21min

Blood from a drone: Iran’s deadly arsenal

Iran continues to retaliate against attacks with ferocity. Though many of its ballistic missile facilities have been razed, its vast drone armoury is powerful and destructive. Who will benefit from India’s boom in data centres? And why giant board games are not child’s play. Guests and host:Shashank Joshi, defence editorGavin Jackson, South Asia business and finance correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, America, Shahed drones, Geran, Ukraine, ZelenksyIndia, data centres, Amazon, Meta, Google, NvidiaMonopoly, board games, toys, kidultsListen 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.
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Mar 11, 2026 • 25min

Strait of shock: Iran economic fallout

Overnight, the Pentagon said it “eliminated” 16 Iranian mine-laying ships, raising further jitters about the global impact of the war in Iran. Fifteen years after a tsunami caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan is restarting reactors. And our correspondent meets Jafar Panahi, the Iranian director whose film is nominated for two Oscars this weekend.Guests and host:Rachana Shanbhogue, business and finance editorNoah Sneider, East Asia bureau chiefAndrew Miller, “Back Story” columnistRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, oil prices, Donald Trump, Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude, International Energy Agency, RussiaJapan, nuclear, Fukushima, tepcoOscars, “It Was Just An Accident”, Jafar PanahiListen 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.
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Mar 10, 2026 • 23min

Oil rise: Trump gets the jitters

After oil prices climbed to nearly $120 a barrel yesterday, Donald Trump signalled a possible abrupt end to the conflict in Iran. Markets calmed, but the course of the war remains unclear. Why China’s government has said little about Iran. And how a hippy grocery store became America’s swankiest supermarket.Guests and host:Edward Carr, deputy editor of “The Economist”Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chiefAvantika Chilkoti, global business correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, Donald Trump, Brent Crude, financial markets, Asia, oil shockChinese foreign policy, Wang YiErewhon, food prices, supermarketsListen 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.
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Mar 9, 2026 • 27min

Follow the leader: Iran picks the son

After Iran appoints a new supreme leader, what does the choice tell us about the resilience of the regime and how the war will progress? Scientific research in America has taken a battering in Donald Trump’s second term. And why British choirs face a shortage of tenor voices.Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentDaniella Raz, US correspondentJoel Budd, Britain social affairs editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, oil pricesScientific research, National Science Foundation, renewable energyTenors, choirs, Oxford UniversityListen 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.
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Mar 6, 2026 • 30min

The third Gulf war: one week on

After a momentous week, our editors reflect on how uncertainty about the goals of the war in Iran will affect its course. Iran’s retaliation has been fierce and wide ranging. How long can Gulf stocks of missile interceptors last? And our obituaries editor looks back at the life of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Guests and host:Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor Josie Delap, Middle East editorShashank Joshi, defence editorAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, Donald Trump, third Gulf war, war goalsInterceptor missiles, military strategyAli Khamenei 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.
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Mar 5, 2026 • 22min

Spars and strikes: Who backs Iran war?

As America continues to batter Iran, what are the domestic implications of the war for Donald Trump? The widening conflict has prompted some European countries to deploy defensive forces. France has also announced a bigger shift in policy: to bolster its nuclear arsenal. And the politics of beer and nappies.Guests and host:Adam Roberts, foreign editorSophie Pedder, Paris bureau chiefShera Avi-Yonah, business writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, Donald Trump, senate, TurkeyFrance, Macron, nuclear warheads, NATOMAGA, marketing 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.
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Mar 4, 2026 • 21min

Crude awakening: Iran oil shock

As America and Israel continue to bombard Iran, much of Iran’s retaliation is directed against energy infrastructure. With tankers blocked and oil prices rising, our correspondent discusses the impact on the global economy. Why do student debts weigh heavily on Britain’s graduates? And is line dancing really becoming sexy? Guests and host:Rachana Shanbhogue, business affairs editorJosh Roberts, capital markets correspondentHollie Berman, news editor, US bureau  Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, oil, gas, global economy, Dubai, Gulf, stockmarketsBritain, universities, student loans, taxLine dancing, New York, bar cultureListen 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.
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Mar 3, 2026 • 25min

Escalation: Middle East war widens

The war in Iran has entered its fourth day with further American and Israeli strikes, and Iranian retaliation across the region. Now Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has launched a ground offensive in Lebanon. Attacks on Tehran involved the use of Artificial Intelligence, so why is the Pentagon picking a fight with Anthropic, its supplier? And Pokémon turns 30.Watch “The Insider” on Iran: Economist experts ask what will happen nextGuests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentHenry Tricks, US technology editorMoeka Iida, Japan correspondentRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: War in Iran, America, Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, Middle EastAnthropic, OpenAI, Claude, Artificial Intelligence Pokemon, mediaListen 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.

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