Today

Caracas under pressure: democracy in Venezuela

After American troops snatched Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a dawn raid in January, democracy did not seem like a priority. Yet this week, talks between the regime and opposition ended with small, positive steps. Why US consumers’ love of fast food may be slowing. And h ... Show More

21m 25s

Yesterday

Pump and circumstance: is China the new OPEC?

The Iran war triggered the largest supply shock in the history of petroleum, yet prices never rose as high as feared. Our correspondent explains how action taken by China steadied global oil flows. Why Brazil has such strict laws on racist language. And the legendary lager of Lao ... Show More

20m 22s

Aug 11

Spring, then fall: a weakened Muslim Brotherhood

The Muslim Brotherhood won power and influence in the Arab Spring of 2011. Now autocrats are resurgent and its leaders are in jail or exile. Elon Musk says Europe is more dangerous than America. Is he right? And the puzzling popularity of padel.Guests and host:Gareth Browne, Midd ... Show More

21m 39s

Nov 2024

The Peking order: Can China’s army surpass the US?

China is enacting a rapid project of military modernisation. Though in some areas its forces are already stronger than America, that does not mean China is ready for war. Why luxury shoppers are no longer buying so much online (10:16). And remembering Balthazar Uscha, Ecuador’s l ... Show More

24m 9s

Mar 2025

With or without tariffs, China’s global rise is under way

Is this China’s renaissance? Despite a trade war with the United States, China seems to be bounding into a high-tech future, making moves diplomatically, militarily and technologically. But some Chinese regions are facing a weakening economy and the effects of rapid urbanisation. ... Show More

23m 23s

May 2023

Shining armour: China’s new fleet

<p>Over the last couple of decades, the state has been making significant investments into its <a href="https://www.economist.com/china/2023/05/08/china-v-america-how-xi-jinping-plans-to-narrow-the-military-gap?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintellige ... Show More

26m 37s

Sep 2025

China Is Scaling Up its Military. Is It Preparing for War?

The Chinese government held a major military parade in Beijing on September 3, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The parade followed an international strategic and economic conference in China bringing together leaders from across Eurasia, i ... Show More

46m 57s

Sep 2025

America Must Shape Up, Or China Wins

China held a spectacular military parade Wednesday, joined by the leaders of Russia, India, and other nations. It wasn't just a bunch of tanks and troops, but also clear evidence that China's strength is almost on par with America's — or maybe ahead of us in some areas. Charlie e ... Show More

42m 18s

Sep 2025

The Gun Show in China

President Xi flexes his military might for Putin as the White House watches what could be a new world order take shape ... President Trump blames the Covid vaccine developed on his watch for ripping apart the CDC ... Even big tech now admits AI could put the planet at risk. Learn ... Show More

46m 43s

Feb 2024

Is China’s power on the wane?

<p>China’s property crisis and slowing growth rate have raised questions about its future as an economic and military power. Gideon discusses whether it’s time to call ‘peak China’ with Richard McGregor, senior fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. <em>Clip: Bloomberg ... Show More

28m 29s

Nov 2023

The Intelligence: how strong is the Chinese military?

Miscalculating the prowess of the People’s Liberation Army is dangerous. Overestimating it could cause unnecessary confrontation, but underestimating it is risky for Taiwan. We bring you some balance. Can descendants of slave traders be absolved of the sins of their ancestors (09 ... Show More

24m 28s

The Peking order: Can China’s army surpa...