logo
episode-header-image
May 28
25m 40s

Ivy beleaguer: Harvard hung out to dry

The Economist
About this episode

The Trump administration’s determination to bend higher-education institutions to its will seems to know no bounds—and nowhere is getting it worse than Harvard University. The outcome of Poland’s presidential runoff matters far beyond its borders, now that it is a continental heavyweight (11:23). And a bid to elevate the humblest drink to a luxury beverage (19:25).


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 video explaining how to link your account.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Aug 7
Duty regime: America’s consumers will foot the tariff bill
As yet another tranche of Donald Trump’s tariffs takes effect, we look at why the duties might outlast him—and how American consumers will ultimately shoulder the trade war’s costs. Our correspondent visits US Space Command, which is preparing for a new age of combat in the heave ... Show More
22m 37s
Aug 6
Unsteady state: Somalia in disarray
The country had been on the rise: beating back jihadists, strengthening its federal structure and gaining international stature. That has all reversed. In Britain levels of crime have fallen—but the changing nature of criminality has meant a smaller fraction of crooks getting cau ... Show More
24m 2s
Aug 5
Consultant management: McKinsey loses its shine
The world’s biggest strategy consultant has smaller rivals nipping at its heels. As it nears 100 years old, we ask how it will navigate a tricky AI-inflected future. It is already hard enough to fiddle with travel plans to get the cheapest flight. A new thing to consider? Whether ... Show More
21m 10s
Recommended Episodes
May 28
Ivy beleaguer: Harvard hung out to dry
The Trump administration’s determination to bend higher-education institutions to its will seems to know no bounds—and nowhere is getting it worse than Harvard University. The outcome of Poland’s presidential runoff matters far beyond its borders, now that it is a continental hea ... Show More
25m 40s
Aug 4
Degrees of freedom? Harvard’s shakedown dilemma
Donald Trump’s mission to bend higher education to his will maintains its sharpest focus on Harvard. Will the venerable university settle—and should it? Our correspondents meet with France’s top general, who believes Russia will threaten Europe sooner than many people think. And ... Show More
24m 44s
Dec 2024
Off-side: Georgians reject new president
This weekend, the ruling Georgian Dream party elected a new president – but only one name was on the ballot. That sparked further street protests, as our correspondent reports. Why a new US administration will find it hard to cut costs at NASA (12:19). And the enduring appeal of ... Show More
26m 43s
Sep 2024
Missile-stop tour: Zelensky in America
Ukraine’s president is again on American shores, trying to secure support of all kinds. He needs it—diplomatically, militarily and politically. America’s tendencies toward “woke” discourse and policies have permeated its politics, but our analysis finds that “peak woke” is alread ... Show More
23m 29s
Apr 2025
Art of the real: Trump bows to markets
Just 12 hours after Donald Trump launched his searing regime of tariffs, he paused many of them for 90 days. What's next for global trade? An outlandish proposal to build data centres in space (8:14). And why “The Great Gatsby” is just as relevant, 100 years on (15:58). Listen to ... Show More
21m 27s
Mar 2025
Conversation peace: can Europe bargain with Russia?
European leaders met in London this weekend after Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s public row shattered hopes for a US-led truce in Ukraine. What did the summit achieve? Our correspondent visits Mexico’s border to find out if strengthened force will stem the flow of fentanyl ... Show More
24m 45s
Feb 2025
War hoarse: is Zelensky being heard?
In an interview with The Economist ahead of the Munich Security Conference, Ukraine’s president is pessimistic that Trump can end the conflict. How fish farming in West Africa could improve food security (11.57). And contemplating the holy hashtags of FaithTok (17:10).  Listen to ... Show More
23m 21s
May 9
Ep. 2196 - A New Pope…Plus Will Trump RAISE Taxes?!
The College of Cardinals selects the new Pope, and we examine his record; we analyze the details of President Trump’s trade deal with the UK, and consider the rumors that Trump wants to raise taxes; and the White House selects Casey Means for surgeon general. Click here to join t ... Show More
1h 4m
Apr 2025
Harvard, deportations, American gas and basketball in Europe
Harvard is hit with a $2.3 billion funding freeze after rejecting demands from the Trump administration. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele says he has no plans to return a man mistakenly deported from the United States. Plus, Europe faces an energy security dilemma and an eager ... Show More
12m 28s
May 29
Harvard Is Trying to Resist Trump. It Might Not Be Working.
For Harvard students, this year’s graduation ceremony comes amid an intense standoff between one of America’s most prestigious universities and the United States government.Michael S. Schmidt, an investigative reporter for The Times, explains how the conflict escalated and what i ... Show More
28m 52s