The Intelligence from The Economist

The latest Ebola emergency is different from previous ones: there is no vaccine, and the kind of community-level work that stops the spread has been thinned by aid cuts. Britain is likely to get a new prime minister soon; we profile Andy Burnham, the Labour party’s polling favourite. And celebrity book clubs abound—but useful criticism in them does not. Guests and host:John McDermott, chief Africa correspondentJoel Budd, social affairs editorCatherine Nixey, culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Ebola outbreak, West AfricaAndy Burnham, British politicscelebrities, book clubs, book industryGet 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.

Atef Najib, a former security chief, is the highest-profile member of the Assad regime to go on trial. We ask why the speed, uneven spread and murky legal basis of justice troubles many Syrians. Our series leading up to America’s 250th birthday continues to plumb our archive. Today: the cold war and Vietnam. And why whiskymaking is booming in China.Guests and host:Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondentAnnie Crabill, senior digital editorDon Weinland, China business and finance editorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Syria, judicial system, transitional justiceAmerica, 250th anniversary, historyChina, business, whiskyGet 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.Runtime: 24 minTWITTER HANDLES OF CONTRIBS @BrowneGareth – Syria@annie_crabill – US250@donweinland – whisky

When health correspondent Slavea Chankova struggled to breastfeed her daughter, she went looking for the latest research on human lactation. What she found was a shocking lack of good science. A field neglected since a breast-versus-bottle schism divided parents in the 1970s has left mothers with little support for low milk supply. Now, a handful of researchers are finally uncovering the mysteries of our first food.Topics covered:BreastfeedingMaternal healthInfant formulaFor more on the science of baby formula, listen to an episode from our sister podcast, Babbage: “Can breast milk be replicated in a lab?”And, read Slavea’s reporting in The Economist this week: “Why many women cannot make enough breast milk”.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 Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic SoundTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts

Tommy Robinson is an influencer who has shaped views on Britain, particularly among his American supporters and funders. A rally this weekend will show how his worldview is reaching the mainstream. A merger in the oligopoly of liftmakers will reshape an industry known for its ups and downs. And remembering Raghu Rai, whose photographs captured the intensity of India’s people.Watch extended clips from Insider here.Guests and host:Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondentSimon Wright, industry editorAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Tommy Robinson, Britain’s far right, America’s far rightLifts, mergers, businessRaghui Rai, India, photojournalismGet 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.

Perhaps the AI “boomers” are right about a sweeping labour-market revolution. But a careful look at history shows just how unprecedented their bullish scenarios would be. Africa’s bounty of minerals has drawn tremendous recent interest; will the continent see the benefits this time around? And our World Cup profile series continues with a look at Japan’s squad.Guests and host:Callum Williams, senior economics writerJohn McDermott, chief Africa correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: AI, labour market, economics, history Africa, critical minerals, investment, developmentWorld Cup, JapanGet 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 meeting between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will set the tone for three more this year. We examine what and what not to expect. Pepsi has been losing ground to Coca Cola recently; to catch up, it may have to become more like its rival. And this year’s Venice Biennale is uncomfortably besieged by geopolitics. Guests and host:Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chiefShera Avi-Yonah, business correspondentAlexandra Suich Bass, culture editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Trump/Xi summit, geopoliticsCoca Cola, Pepsi, businessVenice Biennale, cultureGet 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.

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.