Economist Podcasts

After America’s strikes intended to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme, one question is whether they succeeded . Another is how Iran will respond; all of its options are bad ones . In the West people have been shedding religion for decades, but that secularist shift now seems to be slowing . And what is driving the decline of inverted commas (aka “quotation marks”). Get a world of insights by subscr...

The most consequential decision of Donald Trump’s presidency is now on pause for two weeks. We examine how the choice pits two sides of Mr Trump against one another. India is an advanced-manufacturing powerhouse, but can it become a hub for high-tech innovation, too? And as “Jaws” turns 50 our correspondent says its hero is probably not who you remember. Get a world of insights by subscribing to E...

The workplace wisdom that a university degree is a sure-fire key to success is very much in question —and the trend started long before AI began eating jobs. Russia has launched yet another summer offensive in Ukraine, and appears to be going for broke . And our journalists share their picks for the year’s best books so far. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more...

Political assassinations. Troops on city streets. National protests . We examine the edgy mood inside America through the lens of past periods of intense, violent partisanship. Our correspondent sees two motives for the visit to Greenland by Emmanuel Macron, France’s president: one aimed at Donald Trump and another at Europe’s self-conception. And what AI learned from scans of the Dead Sea Scrolls...

A sudden war made Iran’s leaders look unprepared. And many Iranians loathe the regime. But there are no signs yet that internal dissent will shape the conflict. Shortly after Nayib Bukele became El Salvador’s president, he was labelled as the world’s first millennial dictator; now he is going after his critics . And remembering Valmik Thapar , tireless campaigner for India’s tigers. Get a world of...

So far, Israel’s strikes have not accomplished the stated mission of crippling Iran’s nuclear programme. A war of endurance will be decided by which side runs out of materiel first. South Asia has not been heating up as fast as other regions—thanks in part to its notorious pollution . And a close listen to the music-production genius of the late Brian Wilson.  Get a world of insights by subsc...

After Israel launches an all-out assault on Iran without clear US backing, our correspondent explains how the conflict could escalate. The Trump administration has reduced America’s readiness for hurricane season. And what FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup will mean for football. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+...

The all-famous Murdoch clan is engaged in a fierce battle over control of the family’s media companies. Our correspondent explains why turmoil at the top has not deterred investors. After decades of fruitless research into Alzheimer’s , there are finally some new drugs in the pipeline. And pop songs are getting shorter .   Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to...

For centuries, male children were prized as heirs and breadwinners. Now the desire to have boys is diminishing and some parents would rather have a girl. What Germany’s expanded armed forces mean for Europe. And if coffee can benefit your health, how many mugs should you consume a day?    Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subsc...

It brought us the iPhone–and changed the world. Now Apple is struggling to keep up with rapid advances in AI. Our correspondent assesses its future. China used to rely on Russian patronage. That power relationship has now largely been reversed (9:41). And remembering Amanda Feilding , who pioneered research on psychedelics (16:14). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to...

Our correspondent reports from LA , where Donald Trump’s decision to send in troops risks inciting further antagonism. The argument is now about far more than immigration. A visual investigation confirms that Myanmar’s junta is still bombing civilian settlements after the deadly earthquake, despite agreeing to a humanitarian ceasefire (9:25). And should kids play contact sports (14:32)? &nbsp...

What happens when the world’s most powerful man falls out with its richest? Our correspondent analyses where the Trump-Musk brawl leaves the relationship between MAGA and tech. How Israel’s far-right is influencing the war in Gaza (10:13). And why rhyme is on the decline (and verse is getting worse) (21:01).  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and techno...

As the number of Russian dead and injured in Ukraine reaches a grim milestone, what do these losses signify about Vladimir Putin’s strategy? Though misinformation is growing, the armies of fact-checkers are shrinking, forcing them to assess which lies may do the most harm (7:42). And why cheese rolling could become a protected item of British heritage (14:38).  Listen to what matters most, fr...

The election of South Korea’s new president represents a resounding rejection of the political turmoil that preceded the campaign. Our correspondent explains the domestic and international challenges ahead. How Africa’s diaspora is shaping Afrobeats (10:06). And why culling dingoes in Australia may be a mistake (16:44). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and...

Britain, alongside other European countries, faces rising threats to its security. But a bold new strategy to bolster its defence forces risks being underfunded. Investors may be losing faith in long-term government bonds as a safe haven (8:42). And why a surprising number of French adults are choosing to be baptised (16:27). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to scienc...

Poland’s presidential election was a fight between two distinct visions of the country’s future. Our correspondent explains how the nationalist victor, a political newcomer, will shape Europe. Why drunken bar brawls are declining in Britain (7:31). And remembering the “Wonga Coup” mercenary, Simon Mann (12:18).  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and tec...

A newly formed, private foundation took charge of aid distribution in the territory; a melee ensued . What is the group’s origin, and what is its plan? A pandemic treaty at last agreed by the UN is an important step—even if the most desired signatory was absent (10:54). And a novel exhibition in London shows how to make the most of a museum’s collection (18:22). Get a world of insights by subscrib...

The US Court of International Trade ruled that Donald Trump’s so-called fentanyl and Liberation Day tariffs constituted executive overreach . Now what? Artificial intelligence is on a wild ride through a well-known hype cycle—and is arriving at a “ trough of disillusionment ” (8:49). And a new book about Xi Jinping’s father reveals much about the Chinese president himself (16:42). Get a world of i...

The Trump administration’s determination to bend higher-education institutions to its will seems to know no bounds—and nowhere is getting it worse than Harvard University . The outcome of Poland’s presidential runoff matters far beyond its borders, now that it is a continental heavyweight (11:23). And a bid to elevate the humblest drink to a luxury beverage (19:25). Get a world of insights by subs...

No one knows which soldiers will be on the buses; many families simply come in hope. As the wider war grinds on , our correspondent witnesses a mix of joy, confusion and disappointment. Big American brands once had it easy in the global marketplace. Now they bear the brunt of anti-Trump sentiment (12:05). And Brazil’s bustling bull market—that is, market for bulls (18:28). Get a world of insights...

Voters will be electing each and every one of the country’s judges—removing the last meaningful check on Morena, the ruling party. Nigeria has more people without electricity than any other country, but fixing that will be fiendishly difficult (7:50). And if it is so easy to order a takeaway pizza, why are home pizza ovens all the rage (14:11)? Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist P...

The country’s leader is in a mad rush to transform his country into an upper-middle-income powerhouse before geopolitical forces stall its rise. America’s army is being thinned out; we examine the risks of putting both weapons and generals on the chopping block (10:12). And remembering Ed Smylie , who saved the crew of Apollo 13 with a delightfully low-tech plan (17:47).  Get a world of insig...

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia know their borders may be the next front for Russian aggression. They do not want to deploy mines and razor wire— but they must . Our correspondent visits the American city of Baltimore to investigate a national drop in violent crime (9:46). And a sweeping new biography of Mark Twain, who created a uniquely American style of fiction (17:19). Get a world of insights by...

A careful study of a range of data sources suggests that Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in far more deaths than published tallies indicate. The Church of England, facing declining numbers of parishioners, is selling up its properties on the cheap (14:10). And we ask whether those trendy “ juice shots ” confer any health benefits (20:29). Get a world of insights by subscribing to E...

A “reset” with the bloc is merely a first step in maintaining relations. We ask what is in this week’s deal . Millennials and Gen Z get all the media attention—but spare a thought for Gen X, who have actually had it pretty rough (9:25). And Nvidia’s graphics cards used to set the bar—but its latest offerings have failed to impress gamers (16:44). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist...