Today

A hawk who flew on political winds: Lindsey Graham

The longtime South Carolina senator died suddenly at the weekend. His political arc mirrored that of his Republican party in the Trump era. We ask what his death leaves behind. Frontier AI models opaquely embody a worldview and set of values; we poke the big ones, asking what the ... Show More

20m 15s

Jul 10

Putin’s options: an oligarch speaks out

This week Andrey Melnichenko, Russia’s biggest industrialist, warns in The Economist that disaster is looming for his country as the war in Ukraine continues. What does it mean when members of the elite risk broadcasting their discontent? Our correspondent describes life in Kyiv ... Show More

25m 5s

Jul 9

Peace fire: further US-Iran strikes

As America hit 90 targets in a second day of attacks on Iran, the fragile truce is in jeopardy. Our correspondent explains how power shifts within Iran may affect the war. Asian governments are trying to force children to care for ageing parents. And day four of our journey down ... Show More

20m 44s

Feb 2024

The Intelligence: Vietnam’s golden opportunity

The populous South-East Asian country is uniquely well-positioned to benefit from the deepening rift between America and China, so what’s stopping it? How a breakaway party on Germany’s far left is appealing to voters in the east (08:13). And, why VAR is frustrating football fans ... Show More

23m 5s

Feb 2025

Get your Strait facts: China’s quiet Taiwan push

We investigate China’s under-the-radar push to get other countries to change their official language on Taiwan’s independence. Would it make a difference in a bid to reunify by force? The case of a nurse jailed for killing babies exposes deep problems with British justice (10:10) ... Show More

22m 41s

Feb 2024

The Intelligence: If Beijing had a ballot

Some within China might prefer another Donald Trump presidency while others might favour Joe Biden. On balance, though: from there, neither option looks great. We look at the steps toward the first drug in four decades to treat the debilitating disease of endometriosis (9:28). An ... Show More

25m 23s

Feb 2024

The Intelligence: At a crossroads (really)

In one of this year’s largest votes, Indonesia will elect a new president in one week’s time; this time the sanctity and future of its democracy are at stake. In Germany prominent people—even Jews—who question Israel’s war in Gaza are being cancelled (10:45). And how many books a ... Show More

22m 51s

Sep 2023

Support systems: allies debate Ukraine’s tactics

<p>As progress on the front line slows, Western countries are divided over how <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2023/09/12/are-ukraines-tactics-working?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous ... Show More

24m 32s

Jul 2025

Old-school Thai: is another coup coming?

After Thailand’s constitutional court suspended the country’s prime minister, our correspondent explains the need for fresh elections to avoid economic stagnation – and the possibility of the army stepping in. More celebrities are setting up businesses. And what the sea slug can ... Show More

21m 15s

Feb 2024

The Intelligence: Troubled waters

Squabbles over the seas and their tributary waterways are becoming more tense as rivalries deepen and the climate changes. How should the West prepare? An opinion poll with a twist suggests that Xi Jinping is not as popular as he thinks he is (11:29). And, a tribute to the queen ... Show More

24m 52s

The Intelligence: Vietnam’s golden oppor...