The Intelligence from The Economist

Artificial intelligence could help terrorists develop new dangerous pathogens. Our correspondent asks how humanity can protect itself from machine-assisted biological weapons. Stock markets are soaring, despite the oil shock. What does this tell us about investor confidence in traditionally safe assets? And the doughs and don’ts of German bread.  Guests and host:Arthur Holland Michel, emerging tech writerJosh Roberts, capital markets correspondentLily Meckel, audience fellowRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Bioweapons, AI, virusStockmarkets, oil shock, dollar, government bondsGerman bread, Bernd das BrotListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe 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.

After catastrophic local-election results, Britain’s prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life. One airline has folded and others may follow: jet-fuel prices are crimping carriers the world over, but the pain is not spread evenly. And could San Andrés, a popular Colombian tourist island, ever declare independence? Guests and host:Owen Winter, Britain political correspondentSimon Wright, industries editorClaire McQue, Americas writerRosie Blau co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Britain elections, Keir Starmer, Reform UK, Labour Airlines, jet fuel, oil price, Strait of HormuzSan Andrés, Colombia, CaribbeanListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe 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. 

In February The Weekend Intelligence reported from Lithuania where civilian society is gearing up to defend itself from attacks across the border; The Economist’s Tim Judah, who has recently come back from a reporting trip in Ukraine, has seen first hand what happens to a nation at war. Returning to London he went in search of what plans the UK government has for Britain’s civil defence, if and when the time comes. What he found was hardly reassuring. Topics covered:Civil DefenceBritainDisaster reliefLithuania ep: https://shows.acast.com/theintelligencepodcast/episodes/the-weekend-intelligence-how-to-prepare-for-an-invasion Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe 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.Music by bluedot Sessions and Epidemic Sound.This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com.Read more about how we are using AI.

The Kremlin planned to provide Iran with unjammable drones, plus training in how to use them, according to leaked documents seen exclusively by The Economist. Meanwhile there are nearly 20,000 merchant seamen stranded in the Gulf. And a tribute to Craig Venter, dark horse of the Human Genome Project.Watch extended clips from Economist Insider here.Guests and host:Shashank Joshi, defence editorJoshua Spencer, Asia news editorGeoffrey Carr, senior editor, science and technologyRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, Russia, dronesCommercial shippingCraig VenterGet 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.

An egregious attack in a Jewish neighbourhood in London is just the latest example of a troubling trend. We investigate the claim that antisemitism is becoming normalised in Britain. While many of the world’s luxury brands are struggling, American ones seem to be flourishing. And our series of profiles of teams contesting the World Cup continues with Argentina.Guests and host:Shera Avi-Yonah, business writerAvantika Chilkoti, global business writerJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: antisemitism, BritainAmerican brands, luxury goodsWorld Cup, ArgentinaGet 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.

Germany’s chancellor came to office making big promises. A year later they are unfulfilled, his government is squabbling and he has drawn President Donald Trump’s ire. The advertising industry is, inevitably, starting to peddle its wares quietly in AI chatbots. And a historical look at the oratory around war and how it has taken a sharp turn for the worse.Guests and host:Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondentTom Wainwright, media editorCatherine Nixey, culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Germany, Friedrich Merz, Donald TrumpAI, chatbots, advertisingrhetoric of war 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.

The Trump administration’s “Project Freedom” has done and will do little to boost traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. We examine an unsustainable standoff. A fashion influencer’s post addressed to President Vladimir Putin has brought Russians’ wider grumbling into the open. And how India’s notorious street noise comes with costs to human health. Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentArkady Ostrovsky, Russia editorVishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, Strait of HormuzRussia, Vladimir Putin, influencersIndia, noise pollution, healthGet 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.

In Iran, America is using expensive weaponry against cheap local drones. Can upstart tech companies change the economics – and nature — of conflict? As part of our ongoing series on the US at 250, we examine the impact of the two world wars. And should you ever use an emoji at work?Listen to “Money Talks” on defence tech upstarts. Guests and host:Henry Tricks, US technology editorAnnie Crabill, a senior digital editorAndrew Palmer, host of “Boss Class” podcastRosie Blau, host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Pentagon, Palantir, SpaceX, AndurilAmerica 250, Woodrow Wilson, FDREmojis, auberginesListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe 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.

Sperm and egg donation is increasingly common: nearly one in five births following IVF treatment in Britain involves a donor. But what happens to the children created? There are, globally, no limits on how many children each donor can produce, which can lead to large sibling groups, and no international agreement on if they can find out their donor’s identity.Harriet Shawcross, who has two children via donor conception with her wife, speaks to some of the women trying to change the narrative.  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe 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.Music by bluedot and epidemic.This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com.Read more about how we are using AI.