Trailer: Tocqueville Road Trip

Putin’s options: an oligarch speaks out

This week Andrey Melnichenko [https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/07/09/the-man-who-would-change-russia?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], Russia’s biggest industrialist, warns in The Economist that disaster is looming for his country as the war in Ukraine continues. What does it mean when members of the elite risk broadcasting their discontent? Our correspondent describes life in Kyiv [https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/07/02/ukraine-is-trying-to-threaten-vladimir-putin-into-peace-talks?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] as attacks intensify. And our week-long journey down Route 66 [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/route-66-how-a-century-old-highway-helps-explain-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] reaches the end of the road. 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: * Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor * Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor * Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Russia, Putin, Andrey Melnichenko * Ukraine, Kyiv, drone, interceptor * Route 66, car culture 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.

Peace fire: further US-Iran strikes

As America hit 90 targets in a second day of attacks on Iran [https://www.economist.com/interactive/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/08/is-donald-trump-serious-in-declaring-the-ceasefire-with-iran-over?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 fragile truce is in jeopardy. Our correspondent explains how power shifts within Iran may affect the war. Asian governments are trying to force children [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/06/25/asian-governments-are-making-children-care-for-their-parents?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] to care for ageing parents. And day four of our journey down Route 66 [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/route-66-how-a-century-old-highway-helps-explain-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] traverses a darker side of the road.    Guests and host: * Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent * Farah Cheah, Asia reporter * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Iran, ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz, Ayatollah * Filial piety, ageing, elderly care * Route 66, Oklahoma, race relations Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [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.

Marine warfare: Le Pen runs for president

Last night, the populist-right leader announced [https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/07/07/marine-le-pen-is-running-for-the-french-presidency?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 she will run in the French presidential election next year. Our correspondent analyses the Le Pen dynasty and explains how this decision will shape the campaign. The world’s first refuge for whales [https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2026/03/07/the-last-whales-at-marineland?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] once held in captivity. And our journey down America’s Route 66 [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/route-66-how-a-century-old-highway-helps-explain-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] takes us into its commercial history. Guests and host: * Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief * Sam Colbert, senior podcast producer * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Marine Le Pen, National Rally * Whales, beluga, animal rights * Route 66, America Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [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.

Continental rift: NATO’s tense summit

As NATO leaders [https://www.economist.com/international/2026/07/02/nato-ponders-how-to-defend-eastern-europe-as-america-pulls-back?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] gather for the annual summit in Turkey today, the thorniest issue is off the agenda: fractures within the alliance. Our correspondent travels to the Baltics, where a strategic shift is already evident. First there was vibe coding, now vibe lawyering [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/06/29/the-rise-of-vibe-lawyering?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 coming to courtrooms. And day two of our great American roadtrip down Route 66 [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/route-66-how-a-century-old-highway-helps-explain-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].   Guests and host: * Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor * Anna Kerr, senior audience editor * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * NATO, Ukraine, Ankara * Vibe lawyering, vibe coding, courtroom * Route 66, California Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [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.

The mourning show: the politics of Khamenei’s funeral

The Iranian regime hopes the massive crowds gathered for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [https://www.economist.com/interactive/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/03/irans-regime-hopes-khameneis-funeral-will-demonstrate-its-strength?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 funeral will demonstrate its strength. Our correspondent says they could also reveal its weakness. Why Japan wants to change its divorce laws [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/06/11/japan-is-rethinking-its-divorce-laws?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 custody arrangements. And the first part of our week-long road trip down America’s iconic Route 66 [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/route-66-how-a-century-old-highway-helps-explain-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].  Guests and host: * Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent * Moeka Iida, East Asia correspondent * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Ayatollah, Khamenei, Iran, Supreme Leader * Japan, divorce, custody * Route 66, Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [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.