The Intelligence from The Economist

Nigel Farage, leader of the populist-right Reform UK party, wants Britons to be enraged by a killing in the street. We ask why his tone has changed from “colour-blind” to race-baiting. NATO must now take seriously the idea that America is pulling back; we ask how it is adjusting. And why skipping title sequences is forgoing some of television’s magic.Guests and host:Hugo Gye, British political correspondentJonathan Rosenthal, international correspondentAndrew Miller, “Back Story” columnistJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: British politics, race relationsNATO, American foreign policytelevision, mediaGet 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.

Now that America has stepped back, Europe is at last stepping up. We examine the bloc’s tactics (if not yet a strategy) and how steady its support is likely to be. With the coming public listings of SpaceX and Anthropic, we ask whether stockmarkets can handle a string of “giga-IPOs”. And our World Cup series looks at Iran’s side.Guests and host:Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondentJoshua Roberts, capital markets correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Europe, security, Ukraine warIPOs, investment, stockmarkets, SpaceX, Anthropic, OpenAIWorld Cup, IranVisit education.economist.com and use code 5YEARS to save 15% on courses developed by our editors and correspondents.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 AI world’s go-to chipmaker is blazing a trail toward your personal computer. We ask what moving out of the cloud indicates about the future of computing. The three candidates for mayor of Los Angeles could not be more different, and they are running neck and neck. And updating generic filler text for the business-jargon era.Guests and host:Shailesh Chitnis, global business writerAryn Braun, West Coast correspondentAndrew Palmer, executive editor and “Bartleby” columnistJason Palmer (no relation), co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Nvidia, AI, technologyLos Angeles, American politicscorporate jargonGet 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.

Aid is ramping up to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and vaccine work is progressing. But what the Ebola response most lacks is trust of the community. European governments and businesses are wary of their dependence on America’s tech giants; we examine a spate of home-grown efforts. And sticky toffee pudding, a staid British classic, gets a sweet social-media boost. Guests and host:John McDermott, chief Africa correspondentChristian Odendahl, European economics editorỌrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent and sticky toffee pudding enthusiastJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of Congo, epidemiology, vaccinesEuropean technology, American tech giants, technological sovereignty sticky toffee puddingGet 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.

After years of conflict reporting and manic episodes, journalist Ayman Oghanna was aiming for a quiet life—one that looks boring from the outside. Then, in February 2026, his home in a sleepy seaside town on the edge of Athens, was penetrated by a spy. Topics covered:ChinaEspionageBipolar disorderLinks to articles:https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/14/has-britain-gone-soft-on-chinaListen 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.

Our outgoing defence editor reflects on how war has changed during the eight years of his tenure. Wars have become easier to start and harder to finish, and the little guy has a better chance than ever before. And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Barney Frank, a trailblazing Democratic congressman.Watch extended clips from Insider hereGuests and host:Shashank Joshi, defence editorAnn Wroe, obituaries editorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: war, technology, Ukraine, IranBarney FrankGet 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 American administration’s next round of sabre-rattling has been directed at Cuba. But more military adventures there would probably prove disastrous. We profile the three starkly different contenders in Colombia’s hyper-polarised presidential election. And our series looking at World Cup squads goes to Mexico.Guests and host:Sarah Birke, bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the CaribbeanKinley Salmon, Latin America correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Cuba, American foreign policyColombia’s electionsWorld Cup, MexicoGet 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.

Economic support, drone capability, defence under new management: the tide may have turned for Ukraine. But domestic politics and perceptions will define what kind of win the country might hope for. We examine how Home Depot, the world’s largest DIY chain, is a window into America’s ailing housing market. And what is pinching the supply of England’s famed cricket bats. Guests and host:Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondentVinjeru Mkandawire, news editorAndrew Rummer, Britain contributorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Ukraine warAmerica’s housing market, Home Depotcricket bats, supply chainsGet 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.

More mixed messages from President Donald Trump and air strikes that seem to violate the ceasefire: all that is remotely in prospect is a deal to keep on dealmaking. China’s “superapps” are pioneering the use of agentic AI—with some odd outcomes. And the curious reason that grouse harm themselves on ski lifts (and how to save them). Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentDon Weinland, China business and finance editorMatt Kaplan, science correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, diplomacyChina, business, agentic AIbirds, scienceGet 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.