Economist Podcasts

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director of the IAEA, is at the forefront of nuclear oversight, navigating tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program and global stability. He discusses the challenges of promoting peaceful atomic energy amid rising risks. Alongside Tom Lee-Devlin, global business correspondent, they dive into De Beers' struggles with diamond sales and the shift toward lab-grown gems. The conversation also explores Russia's innovative tank defenses, highlighting the complex interplay of military technology and modern combat challenges.

Join Guy Scriven, US technology editor at The Economist, and Sakeep Rahim, a science and technology writer, as they dive into pressing issues in tech and agriculture. Scriven reveals the power dynamics behind Apple and Alphabet's app duopoly, while discussing rising regulatory scrutiny and the quest for competition. Rahim shares innovative, low-tech strategies to combat desert locust invasions, emphasizing proactive measures and the role of diplomacy. Plus, discover the alarming rise of election campaign costs in India and its implications for electoral integrity.

The podcast explores the controversial 'foreign agent law' in Georgia, likened to Putin's tactics. It delves into the crackdown on dissent, political turmoil, and brave protests against Russian influence. The narrative highlights the struggle for independence, democracy, and EU integration amidst concerns over foreign interference, emphasizing the need for international support and actions like sanctions.

Narendra Modi's journey from a tea-seller's son to the Prime Minister of India is captivating. His decade-long tenure has transformed India into an economic powerhouse, yet he's also linked to a divisive Hindu nationalist agenda. The balance he must strike between these two forces poses intriguing questions about his future and India's direction. Exploring his complex legacy uncovers the intricacies of his influence on democracy and his political ambitions, making for a thought-provoking discussion.

Anshul Pfeffer, Jerusalem correspondent for The Economist, delves into Israel's current political turbulence amidst growing public discontent with Netanyahu's leadership. He highlights the internal struggles within the Unity Cabinet and international reactions to the crisis. The discussion takes a cultural turn as they explore how the Netflix series 'Bridgerton' has reignited interest in classical music. Additionally, the conversation touches on Italy's costly energy efficiency subsidies and their economic repercussions, illustrating a fascinating blend of politics and culture.

Tom Standage, the Deputy Editor of The Economist, dives into Nvidia's reign over AI chip technology, exploring how its gaming GPUs have propelled its market dominance. He discusses the fierce competition from emerging rivals aiming to disrupt this stronghold and the critical innovations in chip design that could reshape AI processing. The conversation also touches on the complex and disputed casualty counts in Gaza, illustrating the difficulties in obtaining accurate figures amidst conflict turmoil. Standage wraps up with a look at the intriguing dynamics of political rematches in the U.S.

Join Natasha Loder, health editor at The Economist, Pranav Rajpurkar, assistant professor at Harvard, and Hugh Harvey, consultant at Hardian Health, as they dive into the transformative role of AI in healthcare. They discuss how AI tools are revolutionizing patient diagnostics and enhancing disease detection, with captivating case studies like breast cancer screening. The conversation also tackles the challenges of regulation and accuracy, while highlighting the need for responsible AI integration into medical practices for better patient outcomes.

Join Alice Hsu, Senior China correspondent; Mike Bird, Asia business and finance editor; and Catherine Nixie, Britain correspondent, as they dissect Taiwan's new president, William Lai. They discuss his struggle to unify a divided nation while navigating China's pressures. The conversation shifts to the shrinking stock market as firms favor private ownership over public listings. They also humorously explore the shift from lonely hearts ads to dating apps, reflecting on how technology shapes modern relationships amid persistent human loneliness.

In this discussion, Greg Karlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist and expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, examines the ICC's controversial request for arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes. He highlights the implications of this move for accountability in ongoing conflicts. The conversation also touches on young Chinese investors turning to gold amid economic uncertainty, revealing how social media influences their newfound preference for small gold investments.

Henrietta McFarlane, an Assistant Producer for The Intelligence, delves into the political chaos in Iran following the unexpected death of President Ebrahim Raisi, sparking questions about future leadership. She highlights concerns regarding Chinese espionage affecting relationships with Britain. Additionally, the podcast explores how TikTok is reshaping job hunting, with creators offering career advice and influencing hiring practices, showcasing a shift in expectations between Gen Z professionals and traditional employers.