Economist Podcasts

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

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We look at the peace that has settled over Khartoum, the ruined capital. War rages on elsewhere, and a slim chance at a settlement rests largely with the belligerents’ foreign patrons. We ask why President Donald Trump has picked a fight over a new bridge between Canada and America. And remembering Betye Saar, who provided profound second lives for discarded objects.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.

Guests and host:
Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent
Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Sudan war, proxy war, geopolitics
Canada-America relations, Gordie Howe Bridge
Betye Saar, art

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We examine one of America’s primary races, in which a sharply lefty candidate beat the establishment figure. What does that reveal about changes in the Democratic Party? For decades China’s Yangtze River was a polluted, overfished mess. We look at the wins from cleaning it up—and who loses. And a fond look back at postcards as they fade from use.

Guests and host:
John Prideaux, executive editor and host, “Checks and Balance”
Gabriel Crossley, China correspondent
Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
America’s primary season, Democratic Socialists of America, Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed
China, Yangtze River, remediation
postcards, second world war, British history

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

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