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Let me get this strait: the Iran-war escalation risk Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the focus of the war in Iran. The options available point to an acute risk of a broadening regional conflict. China is making great strides in building humanoid robots—but so far they are more about entertainment than utility. And a look at the science to help you get power naps right.

Guests and hosts:

Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
Harry Taunton, audience editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, Middle East
China, humanoid robots
power naps, wellness

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Lone goals: will US-Israel war aims diverge? Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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

Topics covered:

Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Netanyahu, Trump, Hizbullah, refuelling plane
Markets, oil prices, quality stocks, junk stocks, investment
Philippe Gaulier, clowns, obituary

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Blood from a drone: Iran’s deadly arsenal Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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 editor
Gavin Jackson, South Asia business and finance correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, America, Shahed drones, Geran, Ukraine, Zelenksy
India, data centres, Amazon, Meta, Google, Nvidia
Monopoly, board games, toys, kidults

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Strait of shock: Iran economic fallout Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

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 editor
Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief
Andrew Miller, “Back Story” columnist
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, oil prices, Donald Trump, Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude, International Energy Agency, Russia
Japan, nuclear, Fukushima, tepco
Oscars, “It Was Just An Accident”, Jafar Panahi

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Oil rise: Trump gets the jitters Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

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 chief
Avantika Chilkoti, global business correspondent
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, Donald Trump, Brent Crude, financial markets, Asia, oil shock
Chinese foreign policy, Wang Yi
Erewhon, food prices, supermarkets

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Follow the leader: Iran picks the son Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

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 correspondent
Daniella Raz, US correspondent
Joel Budd, Britain social affairs editor
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, oil prices
Scientific research, National Science Foundation, renewable energy
Tenors, choirs, Oxford University

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The third Gulf war: one week on Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

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 editor
Shashank Joshi, defence editor
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, Donald Trump, third Gulf war, war goals
Interceptor missiles, military strategy
Ali Khamenei

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Spars and strikes: Who backs Iran war? Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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 editor
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, Donald Trump, senate, Turkey
France, Macron, nuclear warheads, NATO
MAGA, marketing

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Crude awakening: Iran oil shock Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

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 editor
Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Hollie 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, stockmarkets
Britain, universities, student loans, tax
Line dancing, New York, bar culture

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Escalation: Middle East war widens Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

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 next

Guests and host:

Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Henry Tricks, US technology editor
Moeka Iida, Japan correspondent
Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

War in Iran, America, Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, Middle East
Anthropic, OpenAI, Claude, Artificial Intelligence
Pokemon, media

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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