Economist Podcasts

Five men are in custody under suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after being arrested near a British military base used by American aircraft. This could mark a significant escalation in Iranian hybrid warfare. What oil firms are doing with their profits from the Gulf conflict. And why women’s wages rise after their male managers have daughters.
Guests and host:
Matthew Symonds, contributing editor
Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
Michelle Hennessy, graphic detail editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Fairford, Iran, hybrid warfare, terrorist attack
Oil, oil prices, Iran
Gender-pay gap, fatherhood, daughters
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Not much of real substance appears to have emerged from the get-together. But our correspondent says there are clues of how both sides view an evolving relationship. Tommy Robinson, a British far-right influencer, is increasingly well known to MAGA types in America; we examine his rise to prominence. And remembering Bob Mackie, daring dressmaker to the stars.
Watch extended clips from Insider here
Guests and host:
Simon Rabinovich, Beijing bureau chief
Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, trade war, diplomacy
Tommy Robinson, American politics, Texas
Bob Mackie, fashion
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Rich-world house prices survived the last fit of interest-rate rises; our correspondent lays out why they may not this time. Nine months after Australia banned social media for under-16s, we ask if anything has changed. And a critical look at Israel’s hit show “Fauda” as it tackles the atrocities of October 7th.
Guests and host:
Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Josh Spencer, Asia news editor
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
housing markets, bond yields, interest rates
Australia, social media bans
“Fauda”, October 7th
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Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging. A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian citizens. And how Argentina’s supply of horses and cowboys led to world dominance in polo.
Guests and host:
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Hamish Clayton, culture writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
French politics, Marine Le Pen
India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, Hindu nationalism
Argentina, polo
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An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad, at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

Guests and host:
John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
South Africa, organised crime, criminal justice
wearable tech, Oura rings
Lucas Museum

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