Deal or ordeal: Trump’s bad options in Cuba

Hard cedar: Lebanon seeks Trump’s help

Today, Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/20/lebanons-president-wants-donald-trumps-help-to-rebuild-the-country?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] visits the White House to ask for Donald Trump’s help rebuilding the country. Our correspondent reports from his recent trip to Lebanon on the challenges it faces. Threats to Red Bull [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/07/13/how-high-can-red-bull-fly?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]’s magnificent marketing machine. And why the age gap [https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/03/10/trophy-wives-are-out-of-fashion?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] between the wealthiest men and their wives is shrinking. Guests and host: * Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent * Vendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondent * Doug Dowson, data journalist * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Lebanon, Beirut, Joseph Aoun, Hizbullah * Red Bull, energy drinks, extreme sports * Trophy wives, age gap, misogyny Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A firm Andy: what are new British PM’s plans?

Andy Burnham [https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/07/19/how-britains-new-prime-minister-can-revive-labour?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] faces tough challenges as Britain’s new prime minister, both within his party and the country at large. Our correspondent analyses his prospects. After years of strife, how can Syria be rebuilt [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/07/rebuilding-syria-will-cost-over-200bn-bombs-are-not-helping?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]? And food markets have changed New York. Guests and host: * Hugo Gye, Britain political correspondent * Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent * Annie Crabill, senior digital editor * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer, prime minister * Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, Assad * New York, street markets, farmers’ markets Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

You’ve come a long way, Bibi: Israel’s crucial election

Binyamin Netanyahu’s government will, unusually, serve out its full term. What comes after October’s election will decide what kind of Israel will emerge [https://www.economist.com/briefing/2026/07/16/israels-future-hangs-in-the-balance?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. Our correspondent asks whether the World Cup will be remembered more for the dramas on the pitch or off it. And a tribute to A23a [https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/07/02/a23a-had-more-adventures-than-most?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners], the world’s largest iceberg, after it melts away at last. Guests and host: * Josie Delap, Middle East editor * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Ann Wroe, obituaries editor * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Israeli election, Binyamin Netanyahu * World Cup * icebergs, climate Watch extended clips from Insider here [https://www.economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm_campaign=a.brand_fy2627_q1_awareness-imp-tr_prospecting_global-global_direct_na&utm_medium=audio.podcast.pd&utm_source=economist&utm_content=discovery.awareness.anonymous.tr_nativeread_np-tiinsider-apr_na-na_web_na_na_na_na&utm_term=sa.arc-isi]. And listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

In it to bin it: Nigel Farage v Count Binface

We take a peek into a quirk of British politics as the country’s populist-right polling leader goes up against a man who wears a bin on his head [https://www.economist.com/the-world-in-brief/2026/07/11/b240d63f-2768-43dd-89b6-2bdceb6df745?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. It is more serious [https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/07/09/nigel-farages-stunts-made-him-a-successful-politician-they-wont-make-him-pm?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] than it sounds. Africans tired of shoddy internet services are turning to Starlink—for a price [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/02/africans-are-turning-to-starlink?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. And our culture editor reviews an anachronism-laden take [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/15/a-very-silly-adaptation-of-the-odyssey?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] on a classic epic. Guests and host: * Hugo Gye, British political correspondent * Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent * Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Nigel Farage, Count Binface, British politics, farce * Africa’s internet infrastructure, Starlink * “The Odyssey”, Christopher Nolan Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Strait and narrowing: the Iran deal crumbles

The sketch of a deal to end the war is all but dead; oil is up as strikes rain down. We look at the options available to America—all of them bad [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/14/donald-trump-has-no-good-options-for-reopening-the-strait-of-hormuz?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. India’s government websites are almost universally impossible to use [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/06/28/why-cant-indias-government-build-a-decent-website?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]; we look at the structural reasons behind the bad IT. And the growth of summer camps for adults [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/06/18/adults-are-going-back-to-summer-camp?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners].  Listen to our “The Weekend Intelligence” episode on kidulting [https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2026/03/14/kidulting]. Guests and host: * Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent * Leo Mirani, Ashoka columnist * Rachel Mayman, senior audience editor  * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Iran war, Strait of Hormuz * India’s government, IT * summer camps, kidulting Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.