The Intelligence from The Economist

Our Middle East correspondent reports from the largest holding camp for ISIS fighters in northern Syria , which government troops have just retaken from Kurdish control. What will happen to the inmates? Custom-made drugs are a medical milestone. And our obituaries editor remembers Cecilia Giménez , whose “Monkey Jesus” transformed the fortunes of a Spanish church.  Listen to what matters most...

After an astonishing week, Donald Trump has said America will not take Greenland by force, nor put tariffs on those who oppose his acquisition plan. Our correspondent asks if America-Europe relations can ever be repaired. A deal to transfer TikTok to American ownership is due today––why is no one watching? And pop songs get gloomier.   Listen to what matters most, from global politics an...

In recent days Syrian government troops have tried to retake territory held by the country’s Kurdish minority. Our correspondent reports from the region. Factions are fighting to control Vietnam’s Communist Party Congress : the winner will change Vietnam’s future. And are millennial fathers more hands-on than their crusty forbears? Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to...

Japan’s prime minister Takaichi Sanae has called an election three months into her term. Can she capitalise on her popularity, or will her less-popular party be punished at the ballot box? Will a new treaty curb the destruction of the oceans ? And how fancy restaurants are responding to the age of Ozempic .  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technol...

Donald Trump has promised to impose a 10% tariff on eight countries, all NATO members, that oppose his plan to acquire Greenland . As the argument over the territory’s future continues, our correspondent analyses the fragile state of international relations. American megachurches are becoming more like businesses. And the rise of vodcasts : why audio is becoming video. Listen to what matters most,...

Reza Pahlavi, son of the shah deposed in the 1979 revolution, tells us he sees himself as the people’s choice to lead. We ask how that might work. Our correspondent reckons that, in a full accounting of buying versus renting a home, the smart choice has become clear . And our obituaries editor on Aldrich Ames , a prolific CIA double agent for Russia.   To see much more of our interview w...

As Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader, meets with President Donald Trump, we talk through our exclusive polling on what the country wants for its future. Childhood in the age of AI promises to be bespoke and personalised—and perhaps also lonely and atomised . And on America’s National Bagel Day, our correspondent explores the foodstuff’s murky history . Get a world of insights by...

More inflation numbers, more jabs by President Donald Trump at Jay Powell, the Federal Reserve chairman. We ask what the Fed is doing, should be doing and is being pressured to do . Six years after the official Brexit divorce, we count the costs and ask what making-up is now possible. And how self-help books reveal the anxieties of their times. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist P...

From Argentinian beef to German cars, a freshly inked deal between the EU and a bloc of South American countries should ease trade barriers—and is a sign of global trade’s topsy-turvy time. Foreigner-bashing is politically fashionable in Japan, but focuses on the wrong problems . And a look at Parkrun , a free weekly event that has unwittingly made many Britons healthier. Get a world of insights b...

Each country fears an attack from the other: Iran may wish to distract from internal conflict, Israel to exploit it. In an interview with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu we explore perspectives on the war-gaming . As the first cohort of graduates weaned on generative AI enters the workforce, we examine a changing career ladder . And why European pension systems badly need reform . Get a world of...

Demonstrations are growing once again—but this time the message is notably different, and the regime has little means available to calm tensions. Where will it end? Our World Ahead series lays out what to expect this year in China’s dealings with Taiwan, Japan and beyond. And a tribute to Nino Loureiro , a pioneering fusion physicist slain by a former classmate.   Get a world of insights...

It had real dramatic elements: a (slow) chase scene, faked locations, a literal false flag, a daring helicopter descent. But what is the broader picture of America’s bid to disrupt the Venezuelan-oil network? And how will the expanding oil saga affect an already weakened regime in Cuba ? Also, we ask whether Hispanic football fans might avoid the World Cup in America. Get a world of insights by su...

We return to the Los Angeles suburbs that were consumed by wildfires a year ago. The varying rebuilding efforts reveal divides in wealth, but also strains in California’s insurance industry. Never mind the AI job apocalypse, if it comes: the technology will create plenty of new roles , too. And why “ peak wine ” may be a good thing for sippers of the fine kind. Get a world of insights by subscribi...

The countries have a decades-long relationship—debt freely given in one direction and plenty of oil sold in the other. Yet America’s intervention has served as a reality check on China’s power in Venezuela and elsewhere. Our World Ahead series examines the risks to the American dollar as global reserve currency. And pricey handbags ain’t built like they used to be. Get a world of insights by subsc...

America’s National Security Strategy, released a month ago, suggested the administration’s focus was on dominance of the western hemisphere. But no one expected its first move would be a special-forces raid to depose President Nicolás Maduro. What is next comes with grave risks . And the video-games business wants to escape its rut by finding whole new markets —geographically and demographically....

Property wealth in China turbo-charged investment in art . Now house prices have crashed, art sales may follow. Are Britons really leaving the country in droves? And our obituaries editor on the death of the American cent coin. 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 Economis...

The editor of our annual “ World Ahead ” publication predicts the themes and events that will dominate the headlines in 2026, from geopolitics to tech. He also admits what we got wrong last year. And The Economist launched its first podcast 20 years ago. We chart the evolution of audio, from a basement broom cupboard to today’s bountiful offerings. Listen to what matters most, from global politics...

Today’s show is a tribute to those whose lives we remembered this year. From Pope Francis , the most open-minded pontiff for decades, and controversial vice-president Dick Cheney , to champ of the chimpanzees Jane Goodall , bubblegum pop star Brian Wilson and Alice Tan Ridley , a New York subway busker who became a superstar.   Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to...

Announcing the return of The Economist’s annual ranking for best performing economy . Are you ready for the big reveal? Dalit cuisine is barely visible, in India or beyond. And why London’s river boats are making a comeback.  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 vid...

Five years after seizing power in a coup, the military junta in Myanmar is holding an election. Yet all credible opposition has been banned. And war has inspired so many films over the past century. Our correspondents battle it out to pick the best one.  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more informat...

So many books are published each year; few stand the test of time. Today we devote our whole show to asking which works have shaped the way we behave and how we think. Picks include “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth and “Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien. Full list of books mentioned in the show: The Bible The Koran “Pride and Pre...

Join our editors and correspondents in a gripping test of recall and reflexes. There are questions on business and politics of course—but also news noises to identify, one saucy limerick and quotes from “The Real Housewives” franchise that frankly no one expected. Which team will take the trophy? Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to acce...

Recessions are, in their way, bad news. But so, paradoxically, is a lasting dearth of them. We explain the dangers that lie beneath the current run of continuous growth. Our correspondent looks into the hidden economics of online reviews , and whether to trust them. And a turkey-industry exposé that you’ll just gobble up.  Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For mo...

In a world of infinite content, who wins and who loses? Our correspondent explains what the proliferation of AI-generated art means for human artists. What the prevalence of male-female friendships tell us about a society. And why you should propose with a yellow-gold ring.   Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist...

Each year, The Economist tries to identify which country has improved the most, whether economically, politically or in other ways. In a turbulent year, the choice was tricky. We unveil the result. And The Economist Educational Foundation helps kids worldwide be more news-savvy. We invite you to donate and support its work: https://economistfoundation.org/donate/ . Listen to what matters most, fro...