- 20 minutes 39 secondsApocalypse soon? AI could hasten bioweapons
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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12 May 2026, 10:09 am - 20 minutes 10 secondsKeir hunters: will Britain’s PM go?
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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11 May 2026, 10:10 am - 27 minutes 10 secondsDrone team: Russia’s plan to arm Iran
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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8 May 2026, 9:27 am - 19 minutes 59 secondsA hatred normalised: antisemitism in Britain
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
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.
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7 May 2026, 10:06 am - 1 minute 23 secondsTrailer: Checks and BalanceUnlock American politics with The Economist’s John Prideaux, Charlotte Howard and James Bennet. Taking one big theme every week, they dig into the data, the ideas and the history behind it. Politicians, pollsters and political scientists join them to discuss where the great experiment of American democracy is headed. Published every Friday.
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6 May 2026, 3:07 pm - 21 minutes 41 secondsOn the off chancellor: Friedrich Merz, one year in
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
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.
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6 May 2026, 10:18 am - 21 minutes 46 secondsNaval piercing: strait shooting in Iran war
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
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.
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5 May 2026, 9:55 am - 21 minutes 57 secondsSpoils of war: money flows into defence tech
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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4 May 2026, 9:30 am - 23 minutes 20 secondsBeirut watch: can Lebanon subdue Hizbullah?
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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1 May 2026, 10:12 am - 19 minutes 53 secondsDrill pickle: oil prices still misjudge shock
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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30 April 2026, 9:46 am - 22 minutes 44 secondsPower ranges: AI faces supply crunch
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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