Even-more-maximum pressure: sanctions on Iran

Slip the surly bonds? Scott Bessent goes on a yield trip

Amid record-tickling yields [https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/08/19/why-bond-markets-are-unnerving-rich-world-politicians?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 bond markets are now trying to make sense of what Scott Bessent, America’s Treasury secretary, has announced [https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/08/23/is-scott-bessent-the-fed-chair-donald-trump-always-wanted?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 move that might put him on a collision course with the Federal Reserve. We ask why it is so easy for hackers to infiltrate America’s water infrastructure. And understanding a political lineage through the new British prime minister’s accent [https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/08/13/andy-burnham-and-the-politics-of-accents?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: * Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent * Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief * Lane Greene, language correspondent * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * bond markets, Treasury, yields, Scott Bessent * America, cyber-attacks, water, critical infrastructure * British politics, Andy Burnham, accents, class angst 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.

Even-more-maximum pressure: sanctions on Iran

After much hullabaloo America announced its “Operation Economic Outcast”, a new tranche of sanctions. It is thin gruel [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/08/24/iran-will-be-able-to-shrug-off-americas-financial-threats?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 might in fact invite military reprisals from Iran. Call centres form a large part of the economy of the Philippines; surprisingly, AI is not stopping [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/08/06/the-philippines-big-offshoring-industry-is-growing-despite-ai?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 industry’s rise. And a data-led look at which cities [https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/07/21/where-should-you-move-for-higher-pay?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] offer the best (relative) paycheques.   Guests and host: * Fraser McIlwraith, foreign correspondent * Joshua Spencer, Asia news editor * Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Iran war, sanctions * AI, offshoring, the Philippines * world cities, pay, economic migration 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.

Elbows up, again: a US-Canada trade flare-up

Promising trade talks imploded after a literal 11th-hour change from the American side. We examine the new trade barriers being erected, and the complex calculation [https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/08/23/the-costs-of-defying-donald-trump-are-mounting-for-canada?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 Prime Minister Mark Carney. In Japan Gen X workers are even still bearing the costs [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/08/18/japans-gen-x-workers-are-struggling?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 an economic bubble-burst from the 1990s. And how fates of civilisations have turned on sieges throughout history [https://www.economist.com/international/2026/07/31/the-war-room-newsletter-the-most-significant-sieges-in-history?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: * Hal Hodson, Americas editor * Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter * Richard Cockett, senior digital editor * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Canada, the United States, tariffs, Mark Carney, trade war * Japan, Gen X, labour market * sieges, world history Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. Correction (August 26th): We originally published a version of this podcast stated that Japan's bubble era spanned the 1970s and 1980s. It was only the 1980s. Apologies for the error. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

I, robot? AI and consciousness

The rise of generative AI has put new urgency into ancient questions. What is consciousness, and can machines ever have it [https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/08/20/could-ais-become-conscious?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 dive into the data that reveal a surge [https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/08/09/sexually-transmitted-infections-are-surging-in-europe?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] in sexually transmitted infections in Europe. And our obituaries editor considers the life of Mary de Rachewiltz [https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/08/20/mary-de-rachewiltz-devoted-her-life-to-defending-ezra-pound], translator and tireless defender of her father, Ezra Pound.  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: * Alok Jha, science & technology editor * Stephen Hurford, newsdesk writer * Ann Wroe, obituaries editor * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * AI, consciousness * sexual health, STIs, STDs, Europe * Mary de Rachewiltz, Ezra Pound 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.

An interview with Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari is a big-ideas guy. Known for penning tomes that tackle broad sweeps of history, the historian-cum-philosopher has now turned his attention to AI. He joins Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief, for The Insider [http://google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/insider&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1784815236107363&usg=AOvVaw31BMb__HEftFg4gZsH2Ao1], our video show for premium subscribers. They discuss why Mr Harari believes AIs will come to control civilisation—and what it might mean to be human in that world. Watch the full show [https://www.economist.com/insider/the-insider/an-interview-with-yuval-noah-harari]—and sign up [https://econ.st/4nOyzIb] to the Insider newsletter. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://www.economist.com/subscribe]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.