The Intelligence from The Economist

Ceasefires have failed, civilians are fleeing, and there is no end in sight to the fighting . We bring you an update on the escalating conflict. A Ukrainian church accused of spreading Russian propaganda is in trouble, raising questions about the limits of religious freedom. And a lucrative cricket league is about to get even more so by going global.  For full access to print, digital and aud...

In a historic first, the largest rocket ever assembled managed to get off the ground. But then it exploded midair . We ask if this launch can still be called a success. Alexei Navalny is still holed up in tortuous conditions in Russia and could be facing even more charges. And, a tribute to a trendsetting fashion designer . For a full examination of Alexei Navalny’s story so far — told by the peop...

Deep in the mountains along the Thai border, a bloody civil war rages. Our correspondent gives us rare insight into one of the world’s oldest insurgencies. New, stringent election rules will soon be tested in Britain. We ask if voters are ready. And, the bubble tea franchise taking South-East Asia by storm. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day d...

The top-secret plan to pierce Russia’s defenses and reclaim territory could unfold any day now. We ask why this moment, in particular, could prove crucial. Migrants from a lesser-known coastal city in China are transforming the business environment in a number of European cities. And, the 50-year-old film that warned us about the state of the world today.  For full access to print, digital an...

Contrary to the groaning of both Republicans and Democrats, the economy is still the world’s largest . How has this success been sustained? We ask why choosing the wrong degree could leave you worse off than if you had never bothered at all. And our correspondent’s picks of the books that have been banned. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free 30-day di...

Clashes in Khartoum have turned deadly as two rival military factions fight for power. As the conflict escalates, a transition to civilian rule could be in jeopardy. Europe’s cities have a worrying pollution problem and clearing the air is proving difficult. And a new way to measure the environmental impact of food. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , try a free...

It will be years until the country recovers from February’s devastating earthquakes—but progress toward that goal will determine whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins another mandate next month. Oft-overlooked data suggest that Africa’s baby boom is slowing , in a “demographic transition” the world has seen before. And remembering Traute Lafrenz , the last leafleter of the “White Rose” Nazi...

The International Monetary Fund is sitting on oodles of cash, but failing to disburse it. We examine why China’s lending practices are putting the IMF on a path to irrelevance . Climate change is already squeezing farmers in Latin America; some outright crazy agricultural policies are making matters worse. And reasons not to ban a well-known workplace species: the “ talented jerk ”. For full acces...

A trove of once-secret documents is proving an embarrassment to both America and its allies, and a danger to Ukraine’s planned counter-offensive. The tech industry is shedding workers at a striking pace; we ask where all those laid-off experts are going . And more evidence that suggests pet ownership reduces childhood allergies . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economis...

The famed power-sharing deal did its work of sharply reducing sectarian violence, but a quarter-century on it has led to depressingly dysfunctional politics . The next generation of vaccines is already on the way —and the first thing to do is get them out of the freezer. And why the long-frothy market for works by Pablo Picasso may at last be cooling . For full access to print, digital and audio e...

Many people think that with inflation and interest-rate rises abating, the worst effects on housing markets might be over. Not so fast . A study that reignited mask-wearing debates really should not have: there are simply not enough good data to prove either side’s case. And an immersive, participatory production of “Guys and Dolls” shows the way ahead for live-entertainment industries. For full a...

These days the gaming industry takes in much more than the global cinema box office. We ask how things are changing, from gamers’ demographics to the games’ content. And a year after our last conversation with Dmytro, a heartsick resident of the besieged Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, we check back in to see how he has been. Additional music courtesy of Sabrepulse .  For full access to print, digital...

Russia’s arrest of a Wall Street Journal correspondent is heading toward a diplomatic crisis —and will certainly chill foreign reporting in the country. It is startlingly easy to siphon money out of America’s social-welfare programmes, but devilishly difficult to thwart those efforts without threatening needy families. And ChatGPT may make things up, but it does so fluently in more than 50 languag...

Perhaps the only surprising thing about the former president’s arraignment was that it was not followed by big demonstrations—but he did take to the airwaves to seethe. A global rice crisis is brewing; the world’s most important crop is fuelling both climate change and diabetes. And what connects leased pandas in America and Chinese nationalists’ anger . For full access to print, digital and audio...

On his visit to Beijing Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, has much to balance: his peacemaking ways, a more hawkish travel partner and the commercial interests of his delegation of business leaders. What will result? We ask what is being done to avoid a looming famine in North Korea. And why baseball is getting speedier and more action-packed this season.  For full access to print, digital...

There are similarities between the two economies set to be the fastest-growing this year—but their paths to greater prosperity will not look like those that came before. One of Australia’s most important river systems is in trouble, and a logjam of millions of dead fish is just one sign . And what to do with the abandoned luxury yachts of Russia’s super-rich. For full access to print, digital and...

For the first time in history, a former American president faces arrest . Mr. Trump denies the charges, but what could this mean for the 2024 presidential election? Burgeoning “ second cities ” in Africa are changing the face of urbanization on the continent. And a look at the vital yet underappreciated stars of broadcast sport: the commentators .  For full access to print, digital and audio...

Links with China and allegations of surveillance have highlighted the threat that the social-media app may pose to national security. There is bipartisan support for some regulation—but could there be an outright ban ? Britain’s courts are falling into disrepair , delaying justice for thousands. And the eco-friendly alternative to traditional burials.  For full access to print, digital and au...

The two regional rivals have negotiated a deal, ending a seven-year lapse in diplomatic ties. Elsewhere, though, Iran remains aggressive. We ask what to make of its apparent inconsistency . Geothermal is a viable renewable source . What would it take for America to tap in? And, the multibillion-dollar Chinese industry being hit by a theory of covid-19’s origins For full access to print, digital an...

After ten months of haggling, the military alliance is gaining  a new member : Finland. We ask why a historically neutral country has switched tack, and what this means for Russia. How can multinationals  navigate  an increasingly fragmented world? And how TikTok has spurred a  newfound love  for romantic novels in Britain. For full access to print, digital and audio editi...

Protests against proposed judicial reforms have intensified. Could Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu succumb to the pressure at last? Pregnant Russians are flocking to countries with birthright citizenship; we ask why so many are aiming for Argentina . And a chat with our new co-host, Ore Ogunbiyi.  Get a free 30-day digital subscription to The Economist by going to economist.com/podcastoffer...

America invaded Iraq 20 years ago this week. Today Baghdad is bustling, violence across the country is less frequent, but these gains have come at a horrific cost. India is getting a huge, essential infrastructure upgrade . And we say goodbye to one of our hosts. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Runtime: 22 m...

Central banks face a painful tradeoff: raise rates too quickly and risk banking-sector instability. Raise them too slowly and risk continued high inflation. Our correspondent travelled to Kyiv to meet a woman who has rescued hundreds of wild animals. And reflecting on the legacy of a woman who changed British attitudes toward sex. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economi...

Emmanuel Macron narrowly survived two no-confidence votes, sparked by his pushing a pension-reform package through the legislature without bringing it up for a vote. But his troubles are far from over. Covid and the war in Ukraine exacerbated Russia’s long-standing demographic woes . And we analyse the artistry of the world’s greatest mime , born 100 years ago today. For full access to print, digi...

Silicon Valley Bank. Signature Bank. Credit Suisse. The world’s banks look wobbly, leading to fears of broader economic pain. Our economics editor explains how regulators should stabilise the sector. Russia is running out of tanks ; replenishing its supply will not be easy. And America has a new favourite dog breed . For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist , subscribe...