Economist Podcasts

Myanmar’s jailed leader has not been seen since 2022. We ask if she is in fact alive, and what might happen if the military junta acceded to demands for her release. We examine Turkey’s plan to turn the war in Iran to its advantage. And delving into the research on just how much sleep is enough—and too much.

Guests and host:
Aaron Connelly, Asia diplomatic editor
Cerian Richmond-Jones, international economics correspondent
Sam Wikeley, science correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar
Turkey, economics, Iran war
sleep, science

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 they believe. And why Old Master paintings are again so popular.

Guests and host:
Adam Roberts, foreign editor
Sondre Solstad, senior data journalist
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Lindsey Graham, Republican party, American foreign policy
AI frontier models, values
art market, Old Masters

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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

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 as attacks intensify. And our week-long journey down Route 66 reaches the end of the road.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.
Guests and host:
Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Russia, Putin, Andrey Melnichenko
Ukraine, Kyiv, drone, interceptor
Route 66, car culture

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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

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 Route 66 traverses a darker side of the road.

Guests and host:

Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent
Farah Cheah, Asia reporter
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Iran, ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz, Ayatollah
Filial piety, ageing, elderly care
Route 66, Oklahoma, race relations

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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.

Last night, the populist-right leader announced that she will run in the French presidential election next year. Our correspondent analyses the Le Pen dynasty and explains how this decision will shape the campaign. The world’s first refuge for whales once held in captivity. And our journey down America’s Route 66 takes us into its commercial history.

Guests and host:

Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Sam Colbert, senior podcast producer
Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Marine Le Pen, National Rally
Whales, beluga, animal rights
Route 66, America

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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.