The Intelligence from The Economist

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Gulf-co-operation counsel: what next for the region Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

With Iran emboldened and America an ever more capricious security partner, Gulf countries face several post-war challenges. They should put their divides aside to tackle them. We dig one last time into our archive to chronicle American history, bringing our series up to the present day. And the mounting evidence that plants can “hear”.

Guests and host:

Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Matt Kaplan, science correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran war, Middle East geopolitics
American history, semiquincentennials
plants, biology, science

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Latin lessons: the Donroe-doctrine boost Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

For all the Trumpian chaos in Latin America, no other developing-world regional economy has done so well in the past year. We examine the Donroe dividend. The cost to make jollof rice, a staple dish in Nigeria and Ghana, is a window into the countries’ economies. And the BBC waves goodbye to its long-wave radio service.

Guests and host:

Cerian Richmond-Jones, international economics correspondent
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Bo Franklin, senior editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Latin America, Donroe doctrine, mining
Nigeria, Ghana, cost of living, jollof rice
BBC, long-wave radio

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Far Crimea: war comes to Russia’s door Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Ukraine is intensifying cross-border attacks in a strategic and psychological effort to make ordinary Russians take notice of the war. We have been collecting reports from the ground on shifting attitudes as occupied Crimea comes under fire. Why the valuation of Elon Musk’s SpaceX affects us all. And celebrating the life of former Fed chair Alan Greenspan.

Guests and host:

Matt Steinglass, Europe editor
Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Ukraine, Crimea, Zelensky, Putin
SpaceX, Elon Musk, trillionaire, valuation
Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve, monetary policy

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Fear-jerker: America’s AI backlash Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Americans are becoming more anxious about how artificial intelligence will affect jobs, society and even human existence. Republican and Democrat voters are unusually united in their concerns. Divorce rates are rising in China and the Communist party cannot stop them. And the politics of air-conditioning in a scorching Europe.

Guests and host:

Robert Guest, Economist deputy editor
Sarah Wu, China correspondent
Lane Greene, senior digital editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered:

Artificial intelligence, midterms, Alex Bores
Divorce, China, fertility
Heatwaves, Europe, air-conditioning

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Missing peace: will Israel imperil Iran deal? Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Our correspondent joins an embed in Lebanon, where Israel claims that Hizbullah’s continued strength justifies its campaign. If Israel’s goals diverge from America’s, how does this affect peace talks over the Iran conflict? The impact of the oncoming “Godzilla" El Niño. And why Japan’s popular princess will never take the throne.

Guests and host:

Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Catherine Brahic, environment editor
Moeka Iida, East Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Lebanon, Hizbullah, IDF, Majdal Zoun
El Niño, climate change, famine
Japan, Naruhito, Aiko, Princess Toshi

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Keep qualms and carry on: a decade after Brexit Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

On June 23rd 2016, Britain voted to leave the European Union, triggering years of argument, lost economic opportunities and political malaise. Our correspondents look back on the seismic moment and its aftershocks. And, as Britain prepares to get its seventh prime minister in a decade, we ask how the government can look forward to new opportunities.

Guests and host:

Daniel Franklin, senior editor
John Peet, associate editor
Tom Carter, Britain economics correspondent
Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered:

Brexit, European Union, EU
David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Andy Burnham
AI, defence

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Starmergeddon: British PM resigns Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

After winning a resounding victory for Britain’s Labour party two years ago, Sir Keir Starmer has announced his departure. As the country gets ready for its 7th prime minister in ten years, our correspondent asks if it has become ungovernable. A Trump-loving right winger wins Colombia’s presidency. And “Toy Story 5” sets the toys against technology.

Guests and host:

Hugo Gye, Britain political editor
Hal Hodson, Americas editor
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered:

Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, Britain, Labour
Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, cocaine
Toy Story 5, tech, screen time

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

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Trailer: Tocqueville Road Trip Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

When Alexis de Tocqueville visited America from France in 1831 he saw a new kind of society. Not just a country, but an idea that would change the world. His book “Democracy in America” was a big influence on later generations of writers and thinkers, including The Economist’s US Editor John Prideaux. Now, 250 years after its birth, the vitality of that democracy is under question. In this series, John retraces the route Tocqueville took to find out how much of what inspired Tocqueville about America remains—and how worried we should be about what’s changed.

Out now

Find the show on The Economist app | On Spotify | On other apps

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/tocqueville-road-trip-from-the-economist/id1896918330

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Coming in Andy: Britain's prime minister-in-waiting Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Andy Burnham won a by-election he needed in order to challenge Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s prime minister. We look at the path ahead for him. The Iran deal seemingly promises a financial windfall for the country and its regime—one that its battered economy sorely needs. And the mythmaking of presidential libraries, as seen in the latest one: Barack Obama’s.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.

Guests and host:

Hugo Gye, British political correspondent
Fraser McIlwraith, foreign correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

British politics, Andy Burnham, Labour party
Iran war, Iran deal, Iran’s economy
Barack Obama, presidential libraries

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First rate: Kevin Warsh’s Fed debut Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

As expected, the new Federal Reserve chairman kept rates steady. More interesting were what he did and did not say. How will he handle inevitable pressure from President Donald Trump? After nearly disappearing altogether, Germany’s left-wing Die Linke party is roaring back—particularly among the young. And a selection of our readers’ examples of upward-management tips and tricks.

Guests and host: