The Intelligence from The Economist

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

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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

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Runtime: 24 min

TWITTER HANDLES OF CONTRIBS 

@BrowneGareth – Syria

@annie_crabill – US250

@donweinland – whisky

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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

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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

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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

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Artificial intelligence could help terrorists develop new dangerous pathogens. Our correspondent asks how humanity can protect itself from machine-assisted biological weapons. Stock markets are soaring, despite the oil shock. What does this tell us about investor confidence in traditionally safe assets? And the doughs and don’ts of German bread.  

Guests and host:

• Arthur Holland Michel, emerging tech writer
• Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Lily Meckel, audience fellow
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Bioweapons, AI, virus
• Stockmarkets, oil shock, dollar, government bonds
• German bread, Bernd das Brot

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After catastrophic local-election results, Britain’s prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life. One airline has folded and others may follow: jet-fuel prices are crimping carriers the world over, but the pain is not spread evenly. And could San Andrés, a popular Colombian tourist island, ever declare independence? 

Guests and host:

• Owen Winter, Britain political correspondent
• Simon Wright, industries editor
• Claire McQue, Americas writer
• Rosie Blau co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Britain elections, Keir Starmer, Reform UK, Labour 
• Airlines, jet fuel, oil price, Strait of Hormuz
• San Andrés, Colombia, Caribbean

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The Kremlin planned to provide Iran with unjammable drones, plus training in how to use them, according to leaked documents seen exclusively by The Economist. Meanwhile there are nearly 20,000 merchant seamen stranded in the Gulf. And a tribute to Craig Venter, dark horse of the Human Genome Project.

Watch extended clips from Economist Insider here.

Guests and host:

• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Joshua Spencer, Asia news editor
• Geoffrey Carr, senior editor, science and technology
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, Russia, drones
• Commercial shipping
• Craig Venter

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An egregious attack in a Jewish neighbourhood in London is just the latest example of a troubling trend. We investigate the claim that antisemitism is becoming normalised in Britain. While many of the world’s luxury brands are struggling, American ones seem to be flourishing. And our series of profiles of teams contesting the World Cup continues with Argentina.

Guests and host:

• Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
• Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• antisemitism, Britain
• American brands, luxury goods
• World Cup, Argentina

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Germany’s chancellor came to office making big promises. A year later they are unfulfilled, his government is squabbling and he has drawn President Donald Trump’s ire. The advertising industry is, inevitably, starting to peddle its wares quietly in AI chatbots. And a historical look at the oratory around war and how it has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Guests and host:

• Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondent
• Tom Wainwright, media editor
• Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Germany, Friedrich Merz, Donald Trump
• AI, chatbots, advertising
• rhetoric of war 

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The Trump administration’s “Project Freedom” has done and will do little to boost traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. We examine an unsustainable standoff. A fashion influencer’s post addressed to President Vladimir Putin has brought Russians’ wider grumbling into the open. And how India’s notorious street noise comes with costs to human health. 

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
• Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, Strait of Hormuz
• Russia, Vladimir Putin, influencers
• India, noise pollution, health

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In Iran, America is using expensive weaponry against cheap local drones. Can upstart tech companies change the economics – and nature — of conflict? As part of our ongoing series on the US at 250, we examine the impact of the two world wars. And should you ever use an emoji at work?

Listen to “Money Talks” on defence tech upstarts. 

Guests and host:

• Henry Tricks, US technology editor
• Annie Crabill, a senior digital editor
• Andrew Palmer, host of “Boss Class” podcast
• Rosie Blau, host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Pentagon, Palantir, SpaceX, Anduril
• America 250, Woodrow Wilson, FDR
• Emojis, aubergines

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Can peace hold in Lebanon while Hizbullah remains? Our correspondent weighs the balance of power between government forces and the Iran-backed militia. The resale value of Labubus is falling – who cares? And remembering Swedish death-clearer, Margareta Magnusson. 

Watch extended clips from “The Insider”. And listen to our “Weekend Intelligence” episode on “Kidulting: why adults are turning to toys”.

Guests and host:

• Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent
• Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Lebanon, Hizbullah, Israel, ceasefire
• Labubus, PopMart, Funko, financial bubbles
• Margareta Magnusson, death-clearing, decluttering 

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Oil prices are at their highest since 2022, as a swift end to the Iran conflict proves elusive. Yet, our commodities editor says, markets do not yet yet recognise how deep the supply shock is. Who will contest next year’s pivotal election in France? And great expectations in Brazil ahead of the World Cup.

Watch “The Insider”: How high will the oil price go 

Guests and host:

• Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
• Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Oil, Brent crude, OPEC, Iran, UAE
• France, Macron, Marine Le Pen, National Rally
• World Cup, Brazil, Pele 

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Artificial Intelligence is becoming ubiquitous, but the industry that powers it is struggling to keep up with demand. The host of our award-winning podcast series “Scam Inc” says fraudsters in Asia are becoming more sophisticated. And after Allbirds stops selling shoes, what comes next?

Guests and host:

• Shailesh Chitnis, global business writer
• Sue-Lin Wong, host of Scam Inc 
• Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• AI, Anthropic, GPUs, Nvidia, TSMC
• Scam Inc, malware, cybercrime, fraud
• Allbirds, Casper, Warby Parker, Dollar Shave Club

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The “special relationship” between Britain and America is at its weakest since the Suez crisis of 1956. Will a state visit by King Charles III to America salvage the tie? Why Japanese automakers may be running out of road. And fish from New York’s Hudson river are now safe to eat.

Guests and host:

• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
• Daniel Franklin, senior editor, Britain
• Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor
• Stevie Hertz, US policy correspondent

Topics covered: 

• King Charles III, state visit, special relationship
• Japanese carmakers, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, EVs
• Hudson river, fishing

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After a gunman stormed Donald Trump’s dinner with the press, questions are being revived about the president’s security. Germany’s top general explains the country’s new defence strategy. And listeners respond to our Weekend Intelligence episode on the passport bros who go abroad to find “a good woman”.

An earlier version of our lead story stated that the gunman shot a Secret Service agent. Subsequent reports indicate it is unclear whose shot struck the agent.We have now edited the start of the segment.

Guests and host:

• John Prideaux, host of “Checks and Balance” and US editor
• Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief
• Carla Subirana, reporter
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Donald Trump, assassination attempt, White House dinner, Cole Tomas Allen
• Carsten Breuer, Bundeswehr, NATO, Ukraine
• Passport bros, tradwife, misogyny 

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We go deep inside the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant and the surrounding exclusion zone, recounting the history of the accident on April 26 1986, and speaking with plant workers who were on shift that day. A pre-eminent Chernobyl historian discusses the lessons learned and yet to be learned from the disaster. And we consider the science still being done at Chernobyl.

In 2024 “The Weekend Intelligence” went to Ukraine to consider the aftermath of the Russian invasion and occupation of Chernobyl, and then of the Zaporizhia nuclear-power plant. What we found was an industry that had no expectation that could even happen, and nothing of a plan when it did. Listen here.

Guests and host:

• Serhii Plokhy, historian, Harvard University
• Olena Pareniuk, radiobiologist, Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants
• Jim Smith, environmental scientist, University of Portsmouth
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Chernobyl nuclear-power plant, history
• nuclear safety, nuclear-energy policy
• radiation exposure, radiobiology, radioecology 

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We examine what our forecast model predicts so far—and consider what might change its confident prediction for one house of Congress and toss-up call for the other. Our correspondent sits down with Steve Reich, a pioneering classical composer who is nearing his 90th birthday. And the surprising reason why firstborns tend to have more-successful lives.

Additional music courtesy of Steve Reich (Nonesuch Records), Erik Hall (Western Vinyl)

Guests and host:

• Dan Rosenheck, data editor
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Ainslie Johnstone, data journalist
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• American elections, Congress, polling, gerrymandering
• Steve Reich, contemporary classical music
• birth order, statistics

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The decision of Anthropic, an AI giant, to keep its Mythos model sequestered surely makes for good press. But there seems to be more to it than that—and it might change the whole industry’s approach. Indian politicians are chasing female voters more than ever; we question the means and the outcomes. And next in our World Cup contender-country profiles: Senegal. 

Guests and host:

• Alex Hern, AI writer
• Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• AI, Anthropic, Mythos
• India, women, politics
• World Cup, Senegal

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Tim Cook is stepping down after overseeing 15 years of spectacular growth. We take a look at his successor. Japan’s rural women are disproportionately heading to cities, and their home towns are working hard to lure them back. And a historical examination of boredom, and why Britons have perhaps less of it than they should.

Guests and host:

• Tom Lee-Devlin, business editor
• Moeka Iida, Japan reporter
• Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Apple, technology, CEO, John Ternus
• Japan, demographics
• Britain, boredom

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This week’s peace talks are endangered after American forces fired on and boarded a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. We visit Chernobyl’s ruined reactor to assess the damage done by a Russian drone to its enormous safety structure. The likes of McDonald’s and KFC have long been in China’s cities; now they are expanding at pace in the countryside.

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Sarah  Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The Intelligence”
• Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, Strait of Hormuz
• Chernobyl, Ukraine war
• China, fast food

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When America seized Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro in January, it left the rest of his regime intact. Three months on, our correspondent finds optimism and some loosening of repression. Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado fled to America, now she explains her ambitions for the country. And celebrating the life of Nick Pope, who spent decades investigating UFOs.

Guests and host:

• Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Venezuela, oil, Maduro, Trump
• María Corina Machado, elections
• Nick Pope, UFOs, aliens, NASA

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After six weeks of Israel’s offensive against Hizbullah, Lebanon’s president and Israel’s prime minister are due to talk today. What can they achieve? Britain’s “triple lock” pensions are unsustainable. And Uzbekistan’s footballers prepare for the World Cup.

Vote for The Economist at the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast, TikTok channel and language series. 

Guests and host:

• Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
• Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, Netanyahu
• State pension, Britain, triple lock, inflation
• World Cup, Uzbekistan

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The Iran conflict and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz are slowing supply not just of fuel, but food and fertiliser. Geophysics could worsen the approaching hunger crisis: an El Niño weather event is predicted for this year. Anti-conversion laws are resulting in horrific scenes at Christian burial sites in India. And why Britain’s vets are struggling.

Guests and host:

• Catherine Brahic, environment editor
• Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
• Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
• Carla Subirana, news desk editor
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran conflict, oil, food crisis, fertilisers, El Niño
• India, Hindu nationalism, Christian conversions, Modi
• Britain, pets, vets

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After the failure of talks at the weekend, America is now stopping all ships from using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Our correspondent analyses the rationale. Burkina Faso’s government is committing war crimes. And which type of fizzy water tastes best?

Vote for “The Economist” in the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast and Lane Greene on languages

Guests and host:

• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• America, Iran, blockade, Strait of Hormuz, oil
• Burkina Faso, Sahel, jihad, Ibrahim Traoré
• Sparkling water, fizzy drinks, alcohol

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In a momentous election, Viktor Orban has lost power in Hungary after 16 years of increasingly autocratic rule. Our correspondent explains how the country’s opposition led by Peter Magyar ousted a corrupt regime. Why cows in Britain are producing too much milk. And celebrating the giant rat that helped sniff out landmines in Cambodia.  

Guests and host:

• Matt Steinglass, Europe editor
• Harry Taunton, Britain writer
• Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Hungary, Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, populism
• Dairy farming, cows, milk, wellness
• Cambodia, landmines, Magawa, heroRats

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Also on the daily podcast: what the Artemis Moon mission really accomplished and remembering a brave Soviet psychiatrist

SHOW-NOTES TEXT  (60ish wds)

Binyamin Netanyahu says his strikes against Hizbullah are separate from the Iran-war ceasefire. That assertion is putting cracks in the deal, and in Israel’s relationship with America. We look at the stated and the unstated goals of the Artemis mission to the Moon—both achieved. And a tribute to Semyon Gluzman, who exposed the Soviet ruse of labelling dissidents as mental-health cases.

Guests and host:

• Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
• Oliver Morton, senior editor
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Israel, Iran war, Lebanon, America
• Artemis mission, NASA, Moon
• Semyon Gluzman, Soviet Union, psychiatry

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President Donald Trump has long threatened to pull America out of the alliance. We examine why the Iran war has made this time look significantly more serious. Westerners are fleeing their countries in record numbers—with economic consequences for their origins and destinations. And our series profiling the countries contesting the World Cup starts with Spain.  

Guests and host:

• Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor
• Callum Williams, senior economics writer
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• NATO, war in Iran, Donald Trump, Mark Rutte
• expats, emigration, economics
• World Cup, Spain

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With little time to spare before a threatened civilisation-ending attack, America agreed a pause in fighting with Iran. We ask how the temporary deal was reached and how likely a permanent one is. China has an ever-expanding, state-led IVF programme: can that actually reverse a deepening demographic crisis? And the right way to think about AI’s entry into literature. 

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Carla Subirana, news editor
• Andrew Miller, special correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, Donald Trump, ceasefire
• China, demographics, IVF
• AI, literature

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President Donald Trump’s rhetoric has grown yet more bellicose—and sweary. His stated ploy to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants would be ruinous for Iran, and Iran’s planned retaliation ruinous for the region. AI-driven job losses predicted for India’s IT sector are looking more likely to be job gains. And why Gen Z is taking up boomers’ hobbies.  

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Gavin Jackson, South Asia business and economics correspondent
• Caitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondent
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, America
• India, IT work, AI
• Gen Z, hobbies

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Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister, is an idol to the global nationalist conservative right. Losing the next election would have far-reaching consequences. Could tourists help boost jaguar populations in South and Central America? And the number of Catholic saints is soaring. 

Guests and host:

• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”
• Matt Steinglass, Europe editor
• Ana Lankes, Brazil correspondent
• Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent

Topics covered: 

• Hungary, Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, Fidesz
• Jaguars, climate change
• Saints, Catholic 

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A giant leadership reshuffle is underway in China, but one job will stay the same: Xi Jinping is almost certain to secure another five-year term at next year’s party congress. Reasons to be optimistic about Europe’s tech future. And the life of controversial winemaker, Michel Rolland.

Guests and host:

• James Miles, global China writer
• Guy Scriven, global business writer
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Xi Jinping, China, Party Congress
• Tech, quantum computing
• Michel Rolland, wine, obituary

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NASA has successfully launched its first crewed space mission in over a decade. Our correspondent explains why America wants to build a moonbase. AI models underperform in languages other than English. And meet China’s social-media stars: influencer-officials. 

Guests and host:

• Oliver Morton, senior editor
• Deena Mousa, science writer
• Gabriel Crossley, China correspondent
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Artemis II, moon, NASA
• AI, LLMs, language
• China, Chinese Communist Party, influencers, social media 

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Ukraine’s resistance to Russia relies on the clever use of drones. Much of that strategy is down to a single person, a former grain trader with a great idea. Our correspondent meets him. Since the Brexit vote a decade ago, Britain has become more like Europe. And why American universities are abandoning the notorious swimming test. 

Guests and host:

• Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
• Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editor
• Doug Dowson, data journalist
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Ukraine, drones, Russia, Putin
• Britain, Europe, European Union, single market
• American universities, race, discrimination, swimming

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An Economist investigation reveals that Iran is profiting from the war as it evades sanctions and oil prices surge. India’s government has promised to crush the country’s Maoist insurgency. Our correspondent visits a former rebel stronghold. And why understudies, a theatre’s insurance policy, are underestimated. 

Guests and host:

• Rachana Shanbhogue, business affairs editor
• Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
• Hamish Clayton, culture writer
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Oil, Iran, Kharg Island, sanctions
• India, Modi, Maoists
• Culture, theatre, understudies

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The Iran conflict is escalating with little prospect of an end in sight. Our correspondent explains why a US ground invasion is likely. In an ongoing history series, we look at how America’s attitude to migrants changed as it got richer. And “Project Hail Mary” is a sci-fi film drawing wide audiences.

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Annie Crabill, a news editor in New York
• Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran, Houthis, geopolitics, oil
• America, migration, colonialism
• “Project Hail Mary”, sci-fi

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Even before America crimped Cuba’s oil, the country was teetering. We ask what is to blame for the Cuban people’s plight, and whether anything better is in prospect. The craze of injecting peptides is not only scientifically unsupported—it is potentially dangerous. Chuck Norris once got mad at dinosaurs. Just once. Our obituaries editor recounts his unlikely rise to international manly stardom. 

Guests and host:

• Sarah Birke, Central America and Caribbean bureau chief
• Natasha Loder, health editor
• Tim Cross, senior science writer
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Cuba, Trump administration
• peptides, wellness, pseudoscience
• Chuck Norris

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A jury in California agreed with a plaintiff who argued that Meta and Google, two social-media giants, designed their platforms to be addictive. That opens the floodgates to more litigation and perhaps to regulatory change. We examine the world’s maritime chokepoints and how they shape geopolitics—littorally, not figuratively. And how digitally animated films came to dominate the box office.

Guests and host:

• Tom Wainwright, media editor
• Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor
• Alex Selby-Boothroyd, head of data journalism
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• social-media sites, internet use, online addiction
• geopolitics, chokepoints, Strait of Hormuz
• animated films

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In the daily tea leaves one might read that President Donald Trump would prefer a deal with Iran to a continuing military campaign. Where would that leave Israel and its goals? Cryptocurrencies have gained a particular foothold in Asian economies; will they become real financial infrastructure or just tools of fraud? And tracing the history of mafias through the ages. 

Guests and host:

• Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
• Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, Israel, America
• cryptocurrency, Asia
• mafias, crime families, history

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Air strikes and border raids have turned cross-border tensions into hot conflict. We ask what raised the temperature, and whether the Iran war may act to lower it. Meanwhile that war’s oil shock brings with it fears of rising inflation; we examine how recent disruptions might inform policy decisions. And “listening parties”, once for music-industry insiders, are becoming the norm. 

Guests and host:

• Tom Sasse, south Asia bureau chief
• Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Caitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondent
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Afghanistan, Taliban, Pakistan, TTP
• Iran war, oil shock, inflation
• music, albums, listening parties

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As the war in Iran progresses, none of the options available to Donald Trump looks good. We examine each of them. Thailand’s Buddhist monks are implicated in lots of lawless and dodgy behaviour—but clearing out the bad apples is more complicated than it seems. And gene-editing comes to the fruit bowl: we look at what science is serving up next.

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent 
• Alizée Jean-Baptiste, Asia senior podcasts producer
• Maria Lisik, news editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, Donald Trump
• Thailand, Buddhist monks
• gene-editing, fruit

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As attention has focused on war in Iran, Israel sees an opportunity to crush a weakened Hizbullah in Lebanon. Our correspondent says it would be far better for the Lebanese state to do so. As south-east Asia is modernising, Islam is counterintuitively gaining greater primacy in civic life. And a tribute to Jürgen Habermas, Germany’s and perhaps Europe’s most prominent intellectual.

Guests and host:

• Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent
• Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent 
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Lebanon, Hizbullah, Israel, Iran war
• Islam, south-east Asia
• Jürgen Habermas, obituaries

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A rash entry into a war of choice exposes President Donald Trump in a number of ways—and he may prove more dangerous as he becomes weaker. Turkey’s foreign entanglements mask the democratic backsliding at home; that is bad news for an opposition figure whose trial just began. And Americans seem to be taking their anger out on food-delivery robots.

Guests and host:

• Robert Guest, deputy editor
• Piotr Zalewski, Turkey correspondent
• Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Donald Trump, war in Iran
• Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu
• America, delivery robots

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Cancelled flights, longer routes, higher prices: the war in Iran is taking its toll on the airline industry. The conflict may force lasting change on the big Gulf carriers. We ask why the once-frothy fake-meat industry is losing its bite. And why PDFs, one of technology’s most pervasive file types, may meet their end thanks to AI. 

Guests and hosts:

• Simon Wright, industry editor
• Hollie Berman, news editor
• Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• airline industry, Iran war
• meat substitutes, plant-based meats
• PDFs, AI

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Nigeria sorely needed the enormous oil refinery built by Aliko Dangote, who was already Africa’s richest man. We ask what that new capacity means for him, for Nigeria and for the continent. We speak to the surprisingly large and diverse Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles. And how a cancer diagnosis seems to drive some people to a life of crime.  

Guests and host:

• Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi – Africa correspondent
• Aryn Braun – West Coast correspondent
• Ainslie Johnstone – data journalist 
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Aliko Dangote, Nigeria, oil, energy security
• Iran’s diaspora, California
• cancer, crime, data 

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Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the focus of the war in Iran. The options available point to an acute risk of a broadening regional conflict. China is making great strides in building humanoid robots—but so far they are more about entertainment than utility. And a look at the science to help you get power naps right.

Guests and hosts:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
• Harry Taunton, audience editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, Middle East 
• China, humanoid robots
• power naps, wellness

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As Israel continues to pound Iran and expands its offensive against Hizbullah in Lebanon, there are rumblings of disunity with America over the path and goal of the conflict. Why now is the time to buy rubbish stocks. And celebrating the life of grand-clown Philippe Gaulier. 

Guests and host:

• Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
• Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Netanyahu, Trump, Hizbullah, refuelling plane
• Markets, oil prices, quality stocks, junk stocks, investment
• Philippe Gaulier, clowns, obituary

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Iran continues to retaliate against attacks with ferocity. Though many of its ballistic missile facilities have been razed, its vast drone armoury is powerful and destructive. Who will benefit from India’s boom in data centres? And why giant board games are not child’s play. 

Guests and host:

• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Gavin Jackson, South Asia business and finance correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran, America, Shahed drones, Geran, Ukraine, Zelenksy
• India, data centres, Amazon, Meta, Google, Nvidia
• Monopoly, board games, toys, kidults

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Overnight, the Pentagon said it “eliminated” 16 Iranian mine-laying ships, raising further jitters about the global impact of the war in Iran. Fifteen years after a tsunami caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan is restarting reactors. And our correspondent meets Jafar Panahi, the Iranian director whose film is nominated for two Oscars this weekend.

Guests and host:

• Rachana Shanbhogue, business and finance editor
• Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief
• Andrew Miller, “Back Story” columnist
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran, oil prices, Donald Trump, Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude, International Energy Agency, Russia
• Japan, nuclear, Fukushima, tepco
• Oscars, “It Was Just An Accident”, Jafar Panahi

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