Economist Podcasts

Mistrusting the process: containing Congo’s Ebola outbreak

Aid is ramping up to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and vaccine work is progressing. But what the Ebola response most lacks [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/05/28/congos-response-to-ebola-is-late-and-chaotic?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] 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 [https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/05/21/how-europe-is-fighting-for-digital-sovereignty?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 sticky toffee pudding, a staid British classic, gets a sweet social-media boost [https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/03/31/for-the-love-of-sticky-toffee-pudding?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].  Guests and host: * John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent * Christian Odendahl, European economics editor * Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent and sticky toffee pudding enthusiast * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of Congo, epidemiology, vaccines * European technology, American tech giants, technological sovereignty  * sticky toffee pudding 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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

New world of warcraft: how conflict has forever changed

Our outgoing defence editor reflects on how war has changed [https://www.economist.com/interactive/essay/2026/05/28/the-dangerous-delusion-of-modern-warfare?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] during the eight years of his tenure. Wars have become easier to start and harder to finish [https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/05/28/smart-tech-is-making-war-a-dumber-choice?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 little guy has a better chance than ever before. And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Barney Frank [https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/05/28/barney-frank-always-took-the-underdogs-side?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], a trailblazing Democratic congressman. 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] Guests and host: * Shashank Joshi, defence editor * Ann Wroe, obituaries editor * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * war, technology, Ukraine, Iran * Barney Frank 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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Deal or ordeal: Trump’s bad options in Cuba

The American administration’s next round of sabre-rattling has been directed at Cuba. But more military adventures there would probably prove disastrous [https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/05/27/attacking-cuba-would-be-a-huge-mistake?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 profile the three starkly different contenders in Colombia’s hyper-polarised presidential election [https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/05/24/colombias-pivotal-polarised-election-could-not-be-tighter?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 series looking at World Cup squads goes to Mexico. Guests and host: * Sarah Birke, bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean * Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Cuba, American foreign policy * Colombia’s elections * World Cup, Mexico 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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What price victory? Ukraine on the front foot

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 [https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/05/26/ukraines-latest-challenge-is-how-to-deal-with-hope?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 country might hope for. We examine how Home Depot, the world’s largest DIY chain, is a window [https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/20/economics-lessons-from-home-depot?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] into America’s ailing housing market. And what is pinching the supply [https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/05/07/the-surprising-supply-chain-choke-point-for-cricket-bats?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 England’s famed cricket bats.  Guests and host: * Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent * Vinjeru Mkandawire, news editor * Andrew Rummer, Britain contributor * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Ukraine war * America’s housing market, Home Depot * cricket bats, supply chains 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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

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 [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/05/25/what-an-america-iran-deal-might-look-like?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]. China’s “superapps” are pioneering the use of agentic AI [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/05/17/ai-super-apps-are-remaking-chinas-internet?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]—with some odd outcomes. And the curious reason that grouse harm themselves on ski lifts (and how to save them [https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/04/22/how-to-stop-colour-blind-grouse-flying-into-ski-lifts]).  Guests and host: * Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent * Don Weinland, China business and finance editor * Matt Kaplan, science correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Iran war, diplomacy * China, business, agentic AI * birds, science 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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.