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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
18 snips
May 13, 2026 • 22min
Duo’s lingo: what to watch for in Trump-Xi summit
A deep look at what the Trump-Xi meeting might realistically achieve and which stakes — trade, Taiwan and security — will shape US-China ties. A business segment on why Pepsi has slipped behind Coca-Cola and the strategies it is using to claw back market share. Cultural fallout at the Venice Biennale, with pavilion disputes, protests and artists finding unexpected stages.
26 snips
May 12, 2026 • 21min
Apocalypse soon? AI could hasten bioweapons
Arthur Holland Michel, emerging-tech writer who studies biosecurity, warns AI could enable machine-assisted biological weapons. Josh Roberts, capital-markets correspondent, breaks down why stocks keep rising despite an Iran-related oil shock and what that means for safe-haven assets. Lily Meckel, cultural reporter, shares the delights and challenges of Germany’s vast bread culture.
34 snips
May 11, 2026 • 20min
Keir hunters: will Britain’s PM go?
Simon Wright, industries editor who tracks energy and aviation, and Owen Winter, political correspondent covering British politics, discuss Britain’s local-election shock and Keir Starmer’s survival. They also unpack soaring jet-fuel costs and which airlines and regions face the sharpest pain. Short, sharp and wide-ranging political and market drama.
50 snips
May 8, 2026 • 27min
Drone team: Russia’s plan to arm Iran
Geoffrey Carr, senior editor and obituary writer, shares a compact tribute to Craig Venter. The conversation covers leaked Russian plans to supply Iran with jam‑resistant drones and training. It also highlights the crisis of nearly 20,000 merchant seamen stuck in the Gulf and the human toll aboard ships.
41 snips
May 7, 2026 • 20min
A hatred normalised: antisemitism in Britain
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent who covers football and the World Cup, and Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer focused on luxury brands, join the conversation. They discuss a worrying rise in antisemitic attacks in Britain and how society and law are responding. They also explore why American luxury labels are thriving while some European houses stumble, and what fashion trends are helping U.S. brands.
24 snips
May 6, 2026 • 22min
On the off chancellor: Friedrich Merz, one year in
Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondent, gives a brisk read on Friedrich Merz's troubled first year in office and coalition infighting. Tom Wainwright, media editor, breaks down how advertising is creeping into AI chatbots and why that matters. They also touch on shifting war rhetoric and its cultural implications.
33 snips
May 5, 2026 • 22min
Naval piercing: strait shooting in Iran war
Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent who reports on urban health issues. Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor who tracks public sentiment and media. Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent with on-the-ground Iran coverage. They discuss the fragile standoff in the Strait of Hormuz and why a US coordination plan may not reopen it. They explore rising Russian disaffection after an influencer’s public plea. They examine Delhi’s brutal street noise and its hidden health costs.
39 snips
May 4, 2026 • 22min
Spoils of war: money flows into defence tech
Andrew Palmer, host of Boss Class, leads a brisk workplace emoji training. Henry Tricks, US technology editor, analyzes defence tech upstarts like Palantir, SpaceX and Anduril and how AI and cheap drones are reshaping military spending and strategy. They explore political ties, recent contracts and the changing economics of conflict.
20 snips
May 1, 2026 • 23min
Beirut watch: can Lebanon subdue Hizbullah?
Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent reporting from Lebanon, on the shifting balance between Beirut and Hezbollah. Josh Roberts, capital-markets correspondent, on the LeBouBou collectible craze and its bursting bubble. Ann Wroe, obituaries editor, on Margareta Magnusson’s cheeky ‘death cleaning’ decluttering idea. Short, punchy conversations about power, pop culture money, and letting go.
29 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 20min
Drill pickle: oil prices still misjudge shock
Matthieu Favas, commodities editor who analyses oil markets and supply shocks. Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief who maps France’s 2027 political landscape. Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent who tracks Brazil’s World Cup hopes. They discuss the scale of the Strait of Hormuz disruption and why markets seem calm. They outline France’s wide-open presidential race and Brazil’s high footballing expectations.
