Economist Podcasts

Five years after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban show little sign of moderation. Our correspondent reports from the country on what life is like for ordinary people. A giant earthquake reveals two very different Colombias. And celebrating the life of Gurkha climber, Nirmal Purja, who died in an avalanche.

Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interview.

Guests and host:
Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief
Claire McQue, Latin America writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Afghanistan, Taliban, sanctions
Colombia, earthquake, Espriella
Nirmal Purja, mountaineer, Everest, avalanche

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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 how many hours of Wagner opera would you sit through?

Guests and host:

Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
Brook Unger, senior digital editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Venezuela, Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, Machado
Fast food, McDonalds, burgers
Wagner, “Ring” cycle, classical music

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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 Laos.

Guests and host:

Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
Ana Lankes, Brazil bureau chief
Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

China, Iran, oil supplies, OPEC, crude
Brazil, hate speech, racism
Laos, Beerlao, beer, lager

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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, Middle East correspondent
James Fransham, data journalist
Hamish Clayton, Britain writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Muslim Brotherhood, Islamism, Arab Spring
Elon Musk, Insider, Europe, crime,
Padel, tennis, racket sports

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Britons are turning to artificial intelligence to file objections to state institutions, and claim their dues. The resulting deluge of complaints and demands may overwhelm bureaucracies. Should Catholic priests have to report child abuse disclosed in confession? And the perfect height gap in a relationship.

Guests and host:

Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editor
Rebecca Jackson, US Southern correspondent
Doug Dowson, data journalist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

AI, agentic flooding, bureaucracy
Catholic church, confessions, child abuse
Short kings, short men, height differential

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

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