The Intelligence from The Economist

Latest Episodes:

Trial and terror: Russia escalates Kyiv campaign Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Russia has embarked on a new campaign to quell Ukraine, focused on supermarkets, playgrounds and other civilian targets. Our correspondent reports on the toll on daily life in Kyiv. Despite the backlash against “pervert glasses”, companies continue to develop AI-enabled smart specs. And how the pen changed history.

Guests and host:

Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Henry Tricks, US technology editor
Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Ukraine, Kyiv, civilian targets
Smart glasses, Meta, pervert glasses
Fountain pen, Simon Garfield

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Cheques and the City: Premier League disgrace Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of breaching over 100 rules. What penalty will the Premier League exact? Russia’s increasingly brazen attempts to provoke and undermine Europe. And why cute Chiikawa, star of a Japanese blockbuster, gives comfort in anxious times.

Subscribers can listen to “Kidulting” on “The Weekend Intelligence”

Guests and host:

Sonny Loughran, Britain correspondent
Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent
Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Man City, Abu Dhabi, Premier League
Russia, Europe, grey-zone, drone
Chiikawa, kawaii, manga

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Brazil rut: Lula v Bolsonaro, again Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

On October 4th, Brazil faces a polarising general election: re-elect the octogenarian incumbent or pick the son of a former president jailed for attempting a coup. In some countries honour culture holds women back from even entering the workplace. And why artists are banning phones from concerts.

Guests and host:

Ana Lankes, Brazil correspondent
Robert Guest, deputy editor
Vicky Jessop, culture writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Brazil, Lula, Bolsonaro
Women, honour culture, equality
Phone-free, concerts, gigs

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Foiled plot: did Iran plan British base attack? Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Five men are in custody under suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after being arrested near a British military base used by American aircraft. This could mark a significant escalation in Iranian hybrid warfare. What oil firms are doing with their profits from the Gulf conflict. And why women’s wages rise after their male managers have daughters.

Guests and host:

Matthew Symonds, contributing editor
Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
Michelle Hennessy, graphic detail editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Fairford, Iran, hybrid warfare, terrorist attack
Oil, oil prices, Iran
Gender-pay gap, fatherhood, daughters

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Big meet, little meat: the Trump-Xi summit Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Not much of real substance appears to have emerged from the get-together. But our correspondent says there are clues of how both sides view an evolving relationship. Tommy Robinson, a British far-right influencer, is increasingly well known to MAGA types in America; we examine his rise to prominence. And remembering Bob Mackie, daring dressmaker to the stars.

Watch extended clips from Insider here

Guests and host:

Simon Rabinovich, Beijing bureau chief
Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, trade war, diplomacy
Tommy Robinson, American politics, Texas
Bob Mackie, fashion

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Home disadvantage: risks in housing markets Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Rich-world house prices survived the last fit of interest-rate rises; our correspondent lays out why they may not this time. Nine months after Australia banned social media for under-16s, we ask if anything has changed. And a critical look at Israel’s hit show “Fauda” as it tackles the atrocities of October 7th.

Guests and host:

Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Josh Spencer, Asia news editor
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

housing markets, bond yields, interest rates
Australia, social media bans
“Fauda”, October 7th

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National front-runner: who can beat Le Pen? Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging. A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian citizens. And how Argentina’s supply of horses and cowboys led to world dominance in polo.

Guests and host:

Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Hamish Clayton, culture writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

French politics, Marine Le Pen
India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, Hindu nationalism
Argentina, polo

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The mob rule: criminality consumes South Africa Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad, at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

Guests and host:

John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

South Africa, organised crime, criminal justice
wearable tech, Oura rings
Lucas Museum

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Centre punch: Germany’s state-election shocker Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the science says about blue-light exposure and sleep.

Guests and host:

Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Sam Wikeley, science correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

German politics, Friedrich Merz, AfD, Die Linke
African stockmarkets, Aliko Dangote
sleep science, blue light

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Drone truth: Russia has the upper hand Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

After a visit to Ukraine last week, our defence editor reports on a new phase of the war as Kyiv and other civilian targets are bombarded by Russian missiles. He also visits an elite Ukrainian drone unit. Why alcohol companies are scrambling to innovate. And remembering the life of feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem. Watch extended clips from Insider

Guests and host: