Economist Podcasts

The Economist

The economies of America, Britain and Ukraine

  • 23 minutes 16 seconds
    Oil rise: Trump gets the jitters

    After oil prices climbed to nearly $120 a barrel yesterday, Donald Trump signalled a possible abrupt end to the conflict in Iran. Markets calmed, but the course of the war remains unclear. Why China’s government has said little about Iran. And how a hippy grocery store became America’s swankiest supermarket.


    Guests and host:

    • Edward Carr, deputy editor of “The Economist”
    • Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief
    • Avantika Chilkoti, global business correspondent 
    • Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Iran, Donald Trump, Brent Crude, financial markets, Asia, oil shock
    • Chinese foreign policy, Wang Yi
    • Erewhon, food prices, supermarkets


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    10 March 2026, 10:58 am
  • 26 minutes 38 seconds
    Follow the leader: Iran picks the son

    After Iran appoints a new supreme leader, what does the choice tell us about the resilience of the regime and how the war will progress? Scientific research in America has taken a battering in Donald Trump’s second term. And why British choirs face a shortage of tenor voices.


    Guests and host:

    • Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
    • Daniella Raz, US correspondent
    • Joel Budd, Britain social affairs editor
    • Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, oil prices
    • Scientific research, National Science Foundation, renewable energy
    • Tenors, choirs, Oxford University


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    9 March 2026, 10:19 am
  • 29 minutes 42 seconds
    The third Gulf war: one week on

    After a momentous week, our editors reflect on how uncertainty about the goals of the war in Iran will affect its course. Iran’s retaliation has been fierce and wide ranging. How long can Gulf stocks of missile interceptors last? And our obituaries editor looks back at the life of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei


    Guests and host:

    • Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor 
    • Josie Delap, Middle East editor
    • Shashank Joshi, defence editor
    • Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
    • Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Iran, Donald Trump, third Gulf war, war goals
    • Interceptor missiles, military strategy
    • Ali Khamenei 


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    6 March 2026, 11:43 am
  • 21 minutes 40 seconds
    Spars and strikes: Who backs Iran war?

    As America continues to batter Iran, what are the domestic implications of the war for Donald Trump? The widening conflict has prompted some European countries to deploy defensive forces. France has also announced a bigger shift in policy: to bolster its nuclear arsenal. And the politics of beer and nappies.


    Guests and host:

    • Adam Roberts, foreign editor
    • Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
    • Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
    • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
    • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Iran, Donald Trump, senate, Turkey
    • France, Macron, nuclear warheads, NATO
    • MAGA, marketing 


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    5 March 2026, 11:27 am
  • 21 minutes 20 seconds
    Crude awakening: Iran oil shock

    As America and Israel continue to bombard Iran, much of Iran’s retaliation is directed against energy infrastructure. With tankers blocked and oil prices rising, our correspondent discusses the impact on the global economy. Why do student debts weigh heavily on Britain’s graduates? And is line dancing really becoming sexy? 


    Guests and host:

    • Rachana Shanbhogue, business affairs editor
    • Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
    • Hollie Berman, news editor, US bureau  
    • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” 
    • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Iran, oil, gas, global economy, Dubai, Gulf, stockmarkets
    • Britain, universities, student loans, tax
    • Line dancing, New York, bar culture


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    4 March 2026, 11:36 am
  • 24 minutes 42 seconds
    Escalation: Middle East war widens

    The war in Iran has entered its fourth day with further American and Israeli strikes, and Iranian retaliation across the region. Now Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has launched a ground offensive in Lebanon. Attacks on Tehran involved the use of Artificial Intelligence, so why is the Pentagon picking a fight with Anthropic, its supplier? And Pokémon turns 30.

    Watch “The Insider” on Iran: Economist experts ask what will happen next


    Guests and host:

    • Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
    • Henry Tricks, US technology editor
    • Moeka Iida, Japan correspondent
    • Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • War in Iran, America, Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, Middle East
    • Anthropic, OpenAI, Claude, Artificial Intelligence 
    • Pokemon, media


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    3 March 2026, 11:46 am
  • 52 seconds
    Trailer: Money Talks

    Join The Economist’s Mike Bird, Alice Fulwood and Ethan Wu for award-winning reporting and discussion on the stories that move markets. They speak to top bosses, investors and analysts around the world for unmatched insight into global finance, business and economics. Published every Thursday.


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    2 March 2026, 12:16 pm
  • 29 minutes 18 seconds
    War with Iran: Middle East in flames

    This weekend, America and Israel launched long-anticipated attacks on Iran, killing Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader. Our correspondents analyse what his death means for the country and the strategy behind Iran’s retaliation. We report how Gulf States are dealing with unprecedented instability within their borders. And we assess Iran’s military capability and what might happen next.


    Guests and host:

    • Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent 
    • Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent 
    • Gareth Browne, Middle East reporter
    • Shashank Joshi, defence editor
    • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Iran attacks, military capability
    • Ali Khamenei, succession 
    • Donald Trump, foreign policy
    • Gulf States, Dubai 



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    2 March 2026, 12:10 pm
  • 22 minutes 31 seconds
    Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

    For all the promise of transformation that artificial intelligence offers, a close look at macroeconomic data shows little change. Sit tight. A brutal attack in Nigeria reveals how the security crisis is spreading ominously. And a tribute to Virginia Oliver, who cut an unusual figure on the lobster boat she skippered for decades.


    Guests and host:

    • Alex Domash, economics correspondent
    • Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
    • Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
    • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Artificial intelligence, macroeconomics
    • Nigeria, security, jihadism
    • Virginia Oliver, Maine, lobsters


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    27 February 2026, 11:05 am
  • 24 minutes 55 seconds
    Poised and confused: the will-he-won’t-he of Iran strikes

    As a military build-up continues in the Middle East, President Donald Trump’s messaging remains ambiguous. What could, at this stage, head off conflict? Our series on America’s 250th birthday continues with a dive into our archive on the era leading up to civil war. And a couple of recommendations for the silver and the small screen.


    Guests and host:

    • Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
    • Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
    • Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor
    • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Iran, nuclear deal, military build-up
    • American history
    • entertainment, “Dreams”, “Bridgerton”


    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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    26 February 2026, 11:12 am
  • 24 minutes 27 seconds
    Chapo, Mayo, Mencho: another Mexican kingpin falls

    The targeting of “El Mencho”, the leader of one of the country’s two biggest gangs, has resulted in a predictable spate of violence—more of which is virtually assured. We take a rare look inside Russia to see how four years of war has changed the country. And some surprising advice on how to get your best marathon time.


    Guests and host:

    • Sarah Birke, Mexico City bureau chief
    • Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
    • Tim Cross, senior science writer
    • Ainslie Johnstone, data journalist
    • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”


    Topics covered: 

    • Mexico, cartels, gang violence
    • Russia, economy, Ukraine war
    • Running, training, marathons


    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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    25 February 2026, 11:26 am
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