The Intelligence from The Economist

The workplace wisdom that a university degree is a sure-fire key to success is very much in question [https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/06/16/why-todays-graduates-are-screwed?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 the trend started long before AI began eating jobs. Russia has launched yet another summer offensive in Ukraine, and appears to be going for broke [https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/06/08/vladimir-putin-unleashes-a-summer-offensive-against-ukraine?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 journalists share their picks [https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/06/05/the-40-best-books-published-so-far-this-year?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] for the year’s best books so far. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page [https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts] or watch our video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY] explaining how to link your account.

Political assassinations. Troops on city streets. National protests [https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/06/15/protests-against-a-regal-presidency-have-been-notably-peaceful?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 examine the edgy mood inside America through the lens of past periods of intense, violent partisanship. Our correspondent sees two motives [https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/06/16/emmanuel-macron-flies-in-to-show-his-support-for-greenland?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] for the visit to Greenland by Emmanuel Macron, France’s president: one aimed at Donald Trump and another at Europe’s self-conception. And what AI learned [https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/06/05/how-old-are-the-dead-sea-scrolls-an-ai-model-can-help?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] from scans of the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page [https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts] or watch our video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY] explaining how to link your account.

A sudden war made Iran’s leaders look unprepared. And many Iranians loathe the regime. But there are no signs yet [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/06/16/will-irans-hated-regime-implode?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] that internal dissent will shape the conflict. Shortly after Nayib Bukele became El Salvador’s president, he was labelled as the world’s first millennial dictator; now he is going after his critics [https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/05/29/first-he-busted-gangs-now-nayib-bukele-busts-critics?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 remembering Valmik Thapar [https://www.economist.com/obituary/2025/06/12/valmik-thapar-was-in-love-with-all-the-tigers-of-india?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], tireless campaigner for India’s tigers. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page [https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts] or watch our video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY] explaining how to link your account.

So far, Israel’s strikes have not accomplished the stated mission of crippling Iran’s nuclear programme. A war of endurance [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/06/15/the-israel-iran-war-is-now-a-brutal-test-of-staying-power?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] will be decided by which side runs out of materiel first. South Asia has not been heating up as fast as other regions—thanks in part to its notorious pollution [https://www.economist.com/interactive/asia/2025/05/28/if-india-chokes-less-it-will-fry-more?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 a close listen to the music-production genius [https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/06/12/brian-wilson-and-the-bliss-of-bubble-gum-pop?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] of the late Brian Wilson.  Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page [https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts] or watch our video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY] explaining how to link your account.

After Israel launches an all-out assault [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/06/13/israel-launches-an-attack-on-iran-without-america?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 Iran without clear US backing, our correspondent explains how the conflict could escalate. The Trump administration has reduced America’s readiness for hurricane season. And what FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup [https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/06/12/the-club-world-cup-will-be-the-most-global-football-tournament-ever?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] will mean for football. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus] For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page [https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts] or watch our video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY] explaining how to link your account.