Economist Podcasts

Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor who covers the Venice Biennale, and Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief and China columnist. They discuss the Trump–Xi summit and what realistic outcomes to watch. They examine Taiwan as a bargaining chip and wider security pressures. They also chart how the Biennale has been reshaped by geopolitics.

Arthur Holland Michel, emerging-technology writer on biosecurity, warns AI could lower barriers to developing dangerous pathogens. Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent, explains why stocks rally despite an oil shock and why safe havens look shaky. Lily Meckel, cultural reporter, celebrates Germany’s 3,000+ breads and notes bakeries’ struggles amid consolidation and rising prices.

Owen Winter, a British politics correspondent, explains the turmoil around Keir Starmer and Labour after disastrous local results. Simon Wright, an industry editor, breaks down how jet-fuel shocks are crippling airlines unevenly. Claire McQue, an Americas reporter, paints a picture of San Andrés’ tourism strain and calls for autonomy. Multiple short conversations connect politics, oil markets and island identity.

Shashank Joshi, defence editor who analyses military and strategic affairs, explains a leaked Russian plan to supply Iran with unjammable fiber‑optic and satellite‑linked drones. He discusses the document’s authenticity, how tethered drones work, Starlink‑equipped long‑range craft and proposed training schemes. The conversation also touches on regional implications for Russia‑Iran cooperation.

Jon Fasman, The Economist’s senior culture correspondent, and Avantika Chilkoti, a global business writer, dig into Britain’s troubling rise in antisemitism, from street attacks to fears it is becoming socially accepted. They also explore why American luxury labels are beating European rivals, and why Argentina’s football future hinges on more than Lionel Messi.

A lively tour through American politics, with big weekly themes unpacked through data, ideas and history. Expect sharp conversations about politicians, pollsters and political scientists, plus the bigger question of where America’s democratic experiment may be heading.

Tom Nuttall, The Economist’s Germany correspondent, tracks Friedrich Merz’s bruising first year through coalition feuds, weak growth and a clash with Donald Trump. Tom Wainwright, media editor, explores how AI chatbots are quietly learning to sell. The conversation also turns to how the language of war has become harsher and thinner.

Arkady Ostrovsky, The Economist’s Russia editor and Kremlin watcher, and Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent covering India and the region, dig into a tense Strait of Hormuz standoff, a fashion influencer who exposed widening Russian grumbling, and India’s punishing horn culture. They trace war risks, public frustration and the hidden toll of street noise.

Henry Tricks, The Economist’s US technology editor, explores why defence tech upstarts like Palantir, SpaceX and Anduril are pulling in Pentagon money. Andrew Palmer, a writer and workplace commentator, adds a playful take on emoji etiquette at work. Along the way: cheap drones, AI in warfare, investor frenzy, political risk, and how world wars helped shape American power.

Gareth Browne, a Middle East correspondent, examines Lebanon’s uneasy ceasefire, Beirut airport as a symbol of state power, and the slow squeeze on Hizbullah. Josh Roberts, a capital-markets reporter, dives into the Labubu toy mania, resale hype and fading bubble. Ann Wroe, an obituaries editor, remembers Margareta Magnusson and her stark, memorable philosophy of death cleaning.