The Intelligence

Xi Jinping’s first visit to North Korea in seven years has been marked by pomp and shows of friendship. But what does the Chinese leader really want from the trip? Our correspondent visits Goma in Congo to see what life is like under Rwanda-backed rebel group M23. And why curry may soon be off the menu in Japan.  Guests and host: Jeremy Page, chief China correspondent John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Moeka Iida, Japan correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, Russia, nuclear proliferation Congo, Goma, M23, Rwanda Japan, India, immigration, curry   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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fragile ceasefire between America and Iran is threatened by an exchange of ballistic missiles overnight between Iran and Israel. Our correspondent examines the consequences. China’s BYD cars are losing ground to other electric vehicles. And why hit TV shows inspire “companion podcasts”.   Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Don Weinland, China business editor Elizabeth Peet, researcher Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence” Topics covered:  Iran, Israel, Lebanon, ceasefire, Trump BYD, EVs, Tesla, Xpeng, Li Auto Podcasts, Beef, The Pitt, HBO 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After decades of overpopulation worries, the country now has the opposite concern. We examine India’s unusual demographic turn, and why it is a wider warning to the world. Vegan substitutes have broadly improved in recent years—so why is there no good vegan cheese? And remembering Sonny Rollins, an absolute colossus of the saxophone.  Watch extended clips from Insider here. Guests and host: Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief Sam Colbert, senior series producer, Economist Podcasts Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  India, fertility rates, global population vegan cheese Sonny Rollins, jazz Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage, leader of the populist-right Reform UK party, wants Britons to be enraged by a killing in the street. We ask why his tone has changed from “colour-blind” to race-baiting. NATO must now take seriously the idea that America is pulling back; we ask how it is adjusting. And why skipping title sequences is forgoing some of television’s magic. Guests and host: Hugo Gye, British political correspondent Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent Andrew Miller, “Back Story” columnist Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  British politics, race relations NATO, American foreign policy television, media Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now that America has stepped back, Europe is at last stepping up. We examine the bloc’s tactics (if not yet a strategy) and how steady its support is likely to be. With the coming public listings of SpaceX and Anthropic, we ask whether stockmarkets can handle a string of “giga-IPOs”. And our World Cup series looks at Iran’s side. Guests and host: Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondent Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Europe, security, Ukraine war IPOs, investment, stockmarkets, SpaceX, Anthropic, OpenAI World Cup, Iran Visit education.economist.com and use code 5YEARS to save 15% on courses developed by our editors and correspondents. Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI world’s go-to chipmaker is blazing a trail toward your personal computer. We ask what moving out of the cloud indicates about the future of computing. The three candidates for mayor of Los Angeles could not be more different, and they are running neck and neck. And updating generic filler text for the business-jargon era. Guests and host: Shailesh Chitnis, global business writer Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent Andrew Palmer, executive editor and “Bartleby” columnist Jason Palmer (no relation), co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Nvidia, AI, technology Los Angeles, American politics corporate jargon Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aid is ramping up to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and vaccine work is progressing. But what the Ebola response most lacks is trust of the community. European governments and businesses are wary of their dependence on America’s tech giants; we examine a spate of home-grown efforts. And sticky toffee pudding, a staid British classic, gets a sweet social-media boost.  Guests and host: John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Christian Odendahl, European economics editor Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent and sticky toffee pudding enthusiast Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of Congo, epidemiology, vaccines European technology, American tech giants, technological sovereignty  sticky toffee pudding Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our outgoing defence editor reflects on how war has changed during the eight years of his tenure. Wars have become easier to start and harder to finish, and the little guy has a better chance than ever before. And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Barney Frank, a trailblazing Democratic congressman. Watch extended clips from Insider here Guests and host: Shashank Joshi, defence editor Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  war, technology, Ukraine, Iran Barney Frank Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The American administration’s next round of sabre-rattling has been directed at Cuba. But more military adventures there would probably prove disastrous. We profile the three starkly different contenders in Colombia’s hyper-polarised presidential election. And our series looking at World Cup squads goes to Mexico. Guests and host: Sarah Birke, bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Cuba, American foreign policy Colombia’s elections World Cup, Mexico Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economic support, drone capability, defence under new management: the tide may have turned for Ukraine. But domestic politics and perceptions will define what kind of win the country might hope for. We examine how Home Depot, the world’s largest DIY chain, is a window into America’s ailing housing market. And what is pinching the supply of England’s famed cricket bats.  Guests and host: Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent Vinjeru Mkandawire, news editor Andrew Rummer, Britain contributor Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Ukraine war America’s housing market, Home Depot cricket bats, supply chains Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More mixed messages from President Donald Trump and air strikes that seem to violate the ceasefire: all that is remotely in prospect is a deal to keep on dealmaking. China’s “superapps” are pioneering the use of agentic AI—with some odd outcomes. And the curious reason that grouse harm themselves on ski lifts (and how to save them).  Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent Don Weinland, China business and finance editor Matt Kaplan, science correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Iran war, diplomacy China, business, agentic AI birds, science Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do we mean by a “good book”? Some people choose a holiday read that demands time and attention. Others pick rip-roaring novels that require little thought. Our bookworms discuss whether art has to be improving to be praiseworthy, and give genre fiction some much-needed air time.  This is a full list of the books mentioned in the show: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen “Red Rising” by Pierce Brown Jack Reacher series by Lee Child “The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy “Riders” and the other Rutshire chronicles by Jilly Cooper Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman “Middlemarch” by George Eliot “Ulysses” by James Joyce “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel “The Diamond Age” by Neal Stephenson The Murderbot series by Martha Wells  “The Martian” by Andy Weir “American Wife” by Curtis Sittenfeld Guests and host: Catherine Nixey, culture and Britain correspondent Tom Standage, Economist deputy editor Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor Alex Hern, AI writer Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Fiction, romance, sci-fi, crime, thrillers, fantasy, romantasy Jane Austen, Jilly Cooper, Curtis Sittenfeld, Lee Child Matt Dinniman, Pierce Brown, Neal Stephenson 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk has launched the largest stockmarket listing in history. The accompanying space mission remains grounded. Our correspondent weighs SpaceX’s extraordinary ambitions. The Republican party trades on its masculine image, but some young men are turning away. And, after a blind tasting 50 years ago unleashed a new wave of wine drinking, the market is drying out. Watch extended clips from Insider here Guests and host: Tim Cross, senior science writer Robert Guest, Economist deputy editor Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The intelligence” Topics covered:  SpaceX, Starlink, XAI, Elon Musk Donald Trump, Republicans, masculinity Wine, Judgement of Paris 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Within the space of a week Chinese president Xi Jinping has welcomed both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Beijing. Our correspondent explains the significance of these consecutive meetings. How the Premier League got its kick – and became one of Britain’s most successful businesses. And, some relax on holiday, others relish adrenaline-fuelled activities. Guests and host: Jeremy Page, chief China correspondent Sonny Loughran, Britain writer Caitlin Talbot, culture correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence” Topics covered:  Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump Premier League, football, soccer Adrenaline holidays, darecations 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Binyamin Netanyahu’s time up as Israel’s prime minister? As a vote in parliament triggers the election campaign, our correspondent – and Netanyahu’s biographer – analyses what comes next. We join a US-backed counter-terrorism training exercise in Africa and question whether such missions will outlast Trump. And how Cape Verde came to take part in its first World Cup. Guests and host: Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel, Knesset, Gaza, Hizbullah, Iran Ivory Coast, jihadism, anti-terrorism, overseas aid World Cup, FIFA, Cape Verde 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest Ebola emergency is different from previous ones: there is no vaccine, and the kind of community-level work that stops the spread has been thinned by aid cuts. Britain is likely to get a new prime minister soon; we profile Andy Burnham, the Labour party’s polling favourite. And celebrity book clubs abound—but useful criticism in them does not.  Guests and host: John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Joel Budd, social affairs editor Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Ebola outbreak, West Africa Andy Burnham, British politics celebrities, book clubs, book industry Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Atef Najib, a former security chief, is the highest-profile member of the Assad regime to go on trial. We ask why the speed, uneven spread and murky legal basis of justice troubles many Syrians. Our series leading up to America’s 250th birthday continues to plumb our archive. Today: the cold war and Vietnam. And why whiskymaking is booming in China. Guests and host: Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent Annie Crabill, senior digital editor Don Weinland, China business and finance editor Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Syria, judicial system, transitional justice America, 250th anniversary, history China, business, whisky Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Runtime: 24 min TWITTER HANDLES OF CONTRIBS  @BrowneGareth – Syria @annie_crabill – US250 @donweinland – whisky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tommy Robinson is an influencer who has shaped views on Britain, particularly among his American supporters and funders. A rally this weekend will show how his worldview is reaching the mainstream. A merger in the oligopoly of liftmakers will reshape an industry known for its ups and downs. And remembering Raghu Rai, whose photographs captured the intensity of India’s people. Watch extended clips from Insider here. Guests and host: Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent Simon Wright, industry editor Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Tommy Robinson, Britain’s far right, America’s far right Lifts, mergers, business Raghui Rai, India, photojournalism Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perhaps the AI “boomers” are right about a sweeping labour-market revolution. But a careful look at history shows just how unprecedented their bullish scenarios would be. Africa’s bounty of minerals has drawn tremendous recent interest; will the continent see the benefits this time around? And our World Cup profile series continues with a look at Japan’s squad. Guests and host: Callum Williams, senior economics writer John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  AI, labour market, economics, history  Africa, critical minerals, investment, development World Cup, Japan Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The meeting between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will set the tone for three more this year. We examine what and what not to expect. Pepsi has been losing ground to Coca Cola recently; to catch up, it may have to become more like its rival. And this year’s Venice Biennale is uncomfortably besieged by geopolitics.  Guests and host: Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Trump/Xi summit, geopolitics Coca Cola, Pepsi, business Venice Biennale, culture Get a world of insights by subscribing 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.