The Intelligence from The Economist

Latest Episodes:

War with Iran: Middle East in flames Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

This weekend, America and Israel launched long-anticipated attacks on Iran, killing Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader. Our correspondents analyse what his death means for the country and the strategy behind Iran’s retaliation. We report how Gulf States are dealing with unprecedented instability within their borders. And we assess Iran’s military capability and what might happen next.

Guests and host:

Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Gareth Browne, Middle East reporter
Shashank Joshi, defence editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran attacks, military capability
Ali Khamenei, succession
Donald Trump, foreign policy
Gulf States, Dubai

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Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

For all the promise of transformation that artificial intelligence offers, a close look at macroeconomic data shows little change. Sit tight. A brutal attack in Nigeria reveals how the security crisis is spreading ominously. And a tribute to Virginia Oliver, who cut an unusual figure on the lobster boat she skippered for decades.

Guests and host:

Alex Domash, economics correspondent
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Artificial intelligence, macroeconomics
Nigeria, security, jihadism
Virginia Oliver, Maine, lobsters

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Poised and confused: the will-he-won’t-he of Iran strikes Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

As a military build-up continues in the Middle East, President Donald Trump’s messaging remains ambiguous. What could, at this stage, head off conflict? Our series on America’s 250th birthday continues with a dive into our archive on the era leading up to civil war. And a couple of recommendations for the silver and the small screen.

Guests and host:

Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, nuclear deal, military build-up
American history
entertainment, “Dreams”, “Bridgerton”

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Chapo, Mayo, Mencho: another Mexican kingpin falls Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

The targeting of “El Mencho”, the leader of one of the country’s two biggest gangs, has resulted in a predictable spate of violence—more of which is virtually assured. We take a rare look inside Russia to see how four years of war has changed the country. And some surprising advice on how to get your best marathon time.

Guests and host:

Sarah Birke, Mexico City bureau chief
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
Tim Cross, senior science writer
Ainslie Johnstone, data journalist
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Mexico, cartels, gang violence
Russia, economy, Ukraine war
Running, training, marathons

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A world-changing war: four years in Ukraine Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

On the fourth anniversary of a war that many predicted would last mere days, much has changed—even beyond the unthinkable misery in Ukraine itself. Alliances have weakened, Europe is rearming like never before and the very nature of modern war has been redefined. Our correspondents take stock and consider what kind of peace is even possible.

Guests and host:

Edward Carr, deputy editor
Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Shashank Joshi, defence editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

war in Ukraine, Russia, defence, diplomacy

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When the levy brakes: Trump’s tariffs struck down Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

The smackdown by America’s Supreme Court was resounding: the bulk of Donald Trump’s tariffs were instituted illegally. He will try to rebuild his tariff wall, brick by brick—creating a new crop of winners and losers. Australia’s surging One Nation party threatens a conservative coalition that was already looking slightly shaky. And why Agatha Christie’s prolific output is so enduringly popular.

Guests and host:

Rachana Shanbhogue, business-affairs editor
Aaron Connelly, Asia diplomatic editor
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

America’s Supreme Court, Donald Trump, tariffs
Australian politics, Pauline Hanson
Agatha Christie

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The arrest is history: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

The detainment of King Charles’s brother is almost without precedent in Britain’s long royal history. He denies wrongdoing, but damage to “The Firm” is already assured. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have fallen into a very public spat that may have grave implications far beyond the region. And our obituaries editor reflects on the life of Jesse Jackson.

Guests and host:

Sonny Loughran, Britain writer
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Ann Wroe, Obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Britain’s royal family, Jeffrey Epstein
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, diplomacy
Jesse Jackson

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The splitting image: Yoon verdict will deepen divisions Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s ex-president, has been handed a life sentence for insurrection. That is by no means the end of the story of division in the country. Nervous AI-watchers fret about which workers might be replaced; our analysis suggests white-collar workers can breathe easy. And the memoir of Gisèle Pelicot, a rape survivor turned global symbol of strength.

Guests and hosts:

Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief
Alex Domash, economics correspondent
Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol
AI, white-collar jobs
Gisèle Pelicot, memoir

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The Robin Hood state: taxes are getting more progressive Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Income inequality abounds and today’s rich are staggeringly rich, implying that tax regimes are giving the wealthy more and more of a pass. Our dig into the numbers suggests the opposite. We ask why so many of the world’s international mercenaries hail from Colombia. And despite the signs, Spanish may be reaching its peak in America.

Guests and hosts:

Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Carla Subirana, news editor
Lane Greene, senior digital editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Taxation, welfare state, inequality
Colombia, international mercenaries
Spanish

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Ice, ice, maybe: should the Arctic be refrozen? Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Many scientists are considering the notion of actively cooling the region that is warming fastest. We examine the merits and the risks—both environmental and geopolitical—of messing with the polar climate. We ask why the kind of gig economy that has struggled in many markets is booming in India. And an unsettling peek into the first social network for AI agents.

Guests and hosts: