{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/d556eb54-6160-4c85-95f4-47d9f5216c49/6a7ee547049c692a6b3ee0a9?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Afghanistan, five years on: our correspondent visits","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d93d6587424a/1786700630975-25d3ec10-9fad-4ea9-9047-a5d8752e4380.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Five years after the American withdrawal from <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/08/13/the-taliban-are-vile-democracies-must-still-engage-with-them?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Afghanistan</a>, 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 <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/08/12/a-big-earthquake-reveals-two-very-different-colombias?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Colombias</a>. And celebrating the life of Gurkha climber, <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/08/13/nirmal-purja-performed-momentous-feats-in-the-death-zone?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Nirmal Purja</a>, who died in an avalanche.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Watch extended clips from Insider </em><a href=\"https://www.economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm_campaign=a.brand_fy2627_q1_awareness-imp-tr_prospecting_global-global_direct_na&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.pd&amp;utm_source=economist&amp;utm_content=discovery.awareness.anonymous.tr_nativeread_np-tiinsider-apr_na-na_web_na_na_na_na&amp;utm_term=sa.arc-isi\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>here</em></a><em>, plus the full Elon Musk interview.&nbsp;</em></p><p><br></p><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief</li><li>Claire McQue, Latin America writer</li><li>Ann Wroe, obituaries editor</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Afghanistan, Taliban, sanctions</li><li>Colombia, earthquake, Espriella</li><li>Nirmal Purja, mountaineer, Everest, avalanche</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>subscribe to The Economist</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}