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Keir hunters: will Britain’s PM go? May 11, 2026

Show notes

After catastrophic local-election results, Britain’s prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life. One airline has folded and others may follow: jet-fuel prices are crimping carriers the world over, but the pain is not spread evenly. And could San Andrés, a popular Colombian tourist island, ever declare independence?

Guests and host:

Owen Winter, Britain political correspondent
Simon Wright, industries editor
Claire McQue, Americas writer
Rosie Blau co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Britain elections, Keir Starmer, Reform UK, Labour
Airlines, jet fuel, oil price, Strait of Hormuz
San Andrés, Colombia, Caribbean

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Drone team: Russia’s plan to arm Iran May 08, 2026

Show notes

The Kremlin planned to provide Iran with unjammable drones, plus training in how to use them, according to leaked documents seen exclusively by The Economist. Meanwhile there are nearly 20,000 merchant seamen stranded in the Gulf. And a tribute to Craig Venter, dark horse of the Human Genome Project.

Watch extended clips from Economist Insider here.

Guests and host:

Shashank Joshi, defence editor
Joshua Spencer, Asia news editor
Geoffrey Carr, senior editor, science and technology
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran war, Russia, drones
Commercial shipping
Craig Venter

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A hatred normalised: antisemitism in Britain May 07, 2026

Show notes

An egregious attack in a Jewish neighbourhood in London is just the latest example of a troubling trend. We investigate the claim that antisemitism is becoming normalised in Britain. While many of the world’s luxury brands are struggling, American ones seem to be flourishing. And our series of profiles of teams contesting the World Cup continues with Argentina.

Guests and host:

Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

antisemitism, Britain
American brands, luxury goods
World Cup, Argentina

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On the off chancellor: Friedrich Merz, one year in May 06, 2026

Show notes

Germany’s chancellor came to office making big promises. A year later they are unfulfilled, his government is squabbling and he has drawn President Donald Trump’s ire. The advertising industry is, inevitably, starting to peddle its wares quietly in AI chatbots. And a historical look at the oratory around war and how it has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Guests and host:

Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondent
Tom Wainwright, media editor
Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Germany, Friedrich Merz, Donald Trump
AI, chatbots, advertising
rhetoric of war

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Naval piercing: strait shooting in Iran war May 05, 2026

Show notes

The Trump administration’s “Project Freedom” has done and will do little to boost traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. We examine an unsustainable standoff. A fashion influencer’s post addressed to President Vladimir Putin has brought Russians’ wider grumbling into the open. And how India’s notorious street noise comes with costs to human health.

Guests and host:

Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran war, Strait of Hormuz
Russia, Vladimir Putin, influencers
India, noise pollution, health

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Spoils of war: money flows into defence tech May 04, 2026

Show notes

In Iran, America is using expensive weaponry against cheap local drones. Can upstart tech companies change the economics – and nature — of conflict? As part of our ongoing series on the US at 250, we examine the impact of the two world wars. And should you ever use an emoji at work?

Listen to “Money Talks” on defence tech upstarts.

Guests and host:

Henry Tricks, US technology editor
Annie Crabill, a senior digital editor
Andrew Palmer, host of “Boss Class” podcast
Rosie Blau, host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered:

Pentagon, Palantir, SpaceX, Anduril
America 250, Woodrow Wilson, FDR
Emojis, aubergines

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Beirut watch: can Lebanon subdue Hizbullah? May 01, 2026

Show notes

Can peace hold in Lebanon while Hizbullah remains? Our correspondent weighs the balance of power between government forces and the Iran-backed militia. The resale value of Labubus is falling – who cares? And remembering Swedish death-clearer, Margareta Magnusson.

Watch extended clips from “The Insider”. And listen to our “Weekend Intelligence” episode on “Kidulting: why adults are turning to toys”.

Guests and host:

Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent
Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Lebanon, Hizbullah, Israel, ceasefire
Labubus, PopMart, Funko, financial bubbles
Margareta Magnusson, death-clearing, decluttering

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Drill pickle: oil prices still misjudge shock Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Oil prices are at their highest since 2022, as a swift end to the Iran conflict proves elusive. Yet, our commodities editor says, markets do not yet yet recognise how deep the supply shock is. Who will contest next year’s pivotal election in France? And great expectations in Brazil ahead of the World Cup.

Watch “The Insider”: How high will the oil price go

Guests and host:

Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Oil, Brent crude, OPEC, Iran, UAE
France, Macron, Marine Le Pen, National Rally
World Cup, Brazil, Pele

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Power ranges: AI faces supply crunch Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Artificial Intelligence is becoming ubiquitous, but the industry that powers it is struggling to keep up with demand. The host of our award-winning podcast series “Scam Inc” says fraudsters in Asia are becoming more sophisticated. And after Allbirds stops selling shoes, what comes next?

Guests and host:

Shailesh Chitnis, global business writer
Sue-Lin Wong, host of Scam Inc
Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The intelligence”

Topics covered:

AI, Anthropic, GPUs, Nvidia, TSMC
Scam Inc, malware, cybercrime, fraud
Allbirds, Casper, Warby Parker, Dollar Shave Club

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The regal has landed: can Charles boost US bond? Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

The “special relationship” between Britain and America is at its weakest since the Suez crisis of 1956. Will a state visit by King Charles III to America salvage the tie? Why Japanese automakers may be running out of road. And fish from New York’s Hudson river are now safe to eat.

Guests and host:

Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Daniel Franklin, senior editor, Britain
Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor
Stevie Hertz, US policy correspondent

Topics covered:

King Charles III, state visit, special relationship
Japanese carmakers, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, EVs
Hudson river, fishing

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.

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