The Intelligence from The Economist

President Donald Trump has long threatened to pull America out of the alliance. We examine why the Iran war has made this time look significantly more serious. Westerners are fleeing their countries in record numbers—with economic consequences for their origins and destinations. And our series profiling the countries contesting the World Cup starts with Spain.  Guests and host:Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editorCallum Williams, senior economics writerJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: NATO, war in Iran, Donald Trump, Mark Rutteexpats, emigration, economicsWorld Cup, SpainGet 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.

With little time to spare before a threatened civilisation-ending attack, America agreed a pause in fighting with Iran. We ask how the temporary deal was reached and how likely a permanent one is. China has an ever-expanding, state-led IVF programme: can that actually reverse a deepening demographic crisis? And the right way to think about AI’s entry into literature. Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentCarla Subirana, news editorAndrew Miller, special correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, Donald Trump, ceasefireChina, demographics, IVFAI, literatureGet 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.

President Donald Trump’s rhetoric has grown yet more bellicose—and sweary. His stated ploy to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants would be ruinous for Iran, and Iran’s planned retaliation ruinous for the region. AI-driven job losses predicted for India’s IT sector are looking more likely to be job gains. And why Gen Z is taking up boomers’ hobbies.  Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentGavin Jackson, South Asia business and economics correspondentCaitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, AmericaIndia, IT work, AIGen Z, hobbiesGet 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.

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister, is an idol to the global nationalist conservative right. Losing the next election would have far-reaching consequences. Could tourists help boost jaguar populations in South and Central America? And the number of Catholic saints is soaring. Guests and host:Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Matt Steinglass, Europe editorAna Lankes, Brazil correspondentCatherine Nixey, culture correspondentTopics covered: Hungary, Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, FideszJaguars, climate changeSaints, Catholic 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.

Talking to space architects and scientists, real astronauts, and secret wannabes, Jessica Camille Aguirre set out to discover the blueprint for a possible moon base—and what she found was a vision for the evolution of humanity.Topics covered:SpaceLiving on the moonArtemis programListen 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

A giant leadership reshuffle is underway in China, but one job will stay the same: Xi Jinping is almost certain to secure another five-year term at next year’s party congress. Reasons to be optimistic about Europe’s tech future. And the life of controversial winemaker, Michel Rolland.Guests and host:James Miles, global China writerGuy Scriven, global business writerJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Xi Jinping, China, Party CongressTech, quantum computingMichel Rolland, wine, obituaryListen 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. 

NASA has successfully launched its first crewed space mission in over a decade. Our correspondent explains why America wants to build a moonbase. AI models underperform in languages other than English. And meet China’s social-media stars: influencer-officials. Guests and host:Oliver Morton, senior editorDeena Mousa, science writerGabriel Crossley, China correspondentRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Artemis II, moon, NASAAI, LLMs, languageChina, Chinese Communist Party, influencers, social media 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.

Ukraine’s resistance to Russia relies on the clever use of drones. Much of that strategy is down to a single person, a former grain trader with a great idea. Our correspondent meets him. Since the Brexit vote a decade ago, Britain has become more like Europe. And why American universities are abandoning the notorious swimming test. Guests and host:Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondentMatthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editorDoug Dowson, data journalistRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Ukraine, drones, Russia, PutinBritain, Europe, European Union, single marketAmerican universities, race, discrimination, swimmingListen 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. 

An Economist investigation reveals that Iran is profiting from the war as it evades sanctions and oil prices surge. India’s government has promised to crush the country’s Maoist insurgency. Our correspondent visits a former rebel stronghold. And why understudies, a theatre’s insurance policy, are underestimated. Guests and host:Rachana Shanbhogue, business affairs editorKira Huju, Asia correspondentHamish Clayton, culture writerRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Oil, Iran, Kharg Island, sanctionsIndia, Modi, MaoistsCulture, theatre, understudiesListen 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.