The Intelligence from The Economist

Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging. A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian citizens. And how Argentina’s supply of horses and cowboys led to world dominance in polo.
Guests and host:
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Hamish Clayton, culture writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
French politics, Marine Le Pen
India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, Hindu nationalism
Argentina, polo
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An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad, at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

Guests and host:
John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
South Africa, organised crime, criminal justice
wearable tech, Oura rings
Lucas Museum

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Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the science says about blue-light exposure and sleep.

Guests and host:
Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Sam Wikeley, science correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
German politics, Friedrich Merz, AfD, Die Linke
African stockmarkets, Aliko Dangote
sleep science, blue light

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After a visit to Ukraine last week, our defence editor reports on a new phase of the war as Kyiv and other civilian targets are bombarded by Russian missiles. He also visits an elite Ukrainian drone unit. Why alcohol companies are scrambling to innovate. And remembering the life of feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem. Watch extended clips from Insider

Guests and host:
Alex Turner, defence editor
Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Ukraine, drones, Shahed, Kyiv
Alcohol, beer, aperol
Gloria Steinem, feminism

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The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since July 2023. For the central bank’s new chair Kevin Warsh, that decision was a test both of monetary policy and politics. A governor’s election in Okinawa is a boon to Japan’s military ambitions. And why summer is a casualty of climate change.

Guests and host:
Archie Hall, acting economics editor
Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, interest rates, inflation
Okinawa, Japan
Summer, climate change, heatwave

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