Drone truth: Russia has the upper hand

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1. 

   25 Sep 2026 · 27 min

   Big meet, little meat: the Trump-Xi summit

   Not much of real substance appears to have emerged from the get-together. But our correspondent says there are clues of how both sides view an evolving relationship. Tommy Robinson, a British far-right influencer, is increasingly well known to MAGA types in America; we examine his rise to prominence. And remembering Bob Mackie, daring dressmaker to the stars. Watch extended clips from Insider here Guests and host: Simon Rabinovich, Beijing bureau chief Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Xi Jinping,…

2. 

   24 Sep 2026 · 23 min

   Home disadvantage: risks in housing markets

   Rich-world house prices survived the last fit of interest-rate rises; our correspondent lays out why they may not this time . Nine months after Australia banned social media for under-16s, we ask if anything has changed . And a critical look at Israel’s hit show “Fauda” as it tackles the atrocities of October 7th. Guests and host: Callum Williams, senior economics writer Josh Spencer, Asia news editor Andrew Miller, special correspondent Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: housing markets, bond yields, interest rates Australia, social media bans “Fauda”, October 7th…

3. 

   23 Sep 2026 · 20 min

   National front-runner: who can beat Le Pen?

   Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging . A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian citizens. And how Argentina’s supply of horses and cowboys led to world dominance in polo. Guests and host: Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief Kira Huju, Asia correspondent Hamish Clayton, culture writer Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The…

4. 

   22 Sep 2026 · 21 min

   The mob rule: criminality consumes South Africa

   An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad , at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Guests and host: John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: South Africa, organised crime, criminal…

5. 

   21 Sep 2026 · 21 min

   Centre punch: Germany’s state-election shocker

   Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster ; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the science says about blue-light exposure and sleep . Guests and host: Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent Sam Wikeley, science correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: German…

6. 

   17 Sep 2026 · 22 min

   Rise and shine: Warsh’s Fed rate test

   The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since July 2023. For the central bank’s new chair Kevin Warsh, that decision was a test both of monetary policy and politics. A governor’s election in Okinawa is a boon to Japan’s military ambitions. And why summer is a casualty of climate change. Guests and host: Archie Hall, acting economics editor Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter Andrew Miller, special correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, interest rates, inflation Okinawa, Japan Summer, climate change, heatwave…

7. 

   16 Sep 2026 · 24 min

   The end of the world is AI? An existential threat

   Is artificial intelligence becoming uncontrollably powerful? Our correspondent analyses whether a pause to breakneck development is possible or feasible. We have entered the new age of the orator . And why cheese is getting more popular in India. Guests and host: Alex Hern, AI writer Tom Wainwright, culture correspondent Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Human extinction, AI, Sam Altman, Dario Amodei Oral culture, literacy, James Marriott, Walter Ong Cheese, India, kalimpong Listen to what…

8. 

   15 Sep 2026 · 24 min

   Islamism in Britain: what is the threat?

   Though a growing share of the British population is anxious about Islam, they have no reason to be. Islamism , a fringe ideology that believes government and society should be guided by Islamic principles, is the real concern. America cracks down on multinationals’ efforts to shift profits overseas. And why corporate training videos are virtually useless. Guests and host: Sonny Loughran, Britain correspondent Shera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondent Andrew Palmer, “Boss Class” host and Bartleby columnist Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”…

9. 

   14 Sep 2026 · 23 min

   Strait and narrowing: the Houthis’ striking advance

   After years of stalemate, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis are taking territory , including on a Red Sea strait. We ask what has changed, and how the shift fits into the wider regional conflict. As America’s midterm elections approach, we examine the fragmentation of the coalition that put Donald Trump back in office. And we ask how much nepotism matters in Hollywood today. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to The Economist . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10. 

    12 Sep 2026 · 49 min

    The Weekend Intelligence: Shire folk - Episode 1: Tommy's Town

    For 15 years, the British media dismissed Tommy Robinson as a far-right extremist. We kept him off our televisions, and out of our newspapers. Today his rallies attract tens of thousands of followers and he has the ear of the world’s richest man. Shire Folk is the story of how some of the most powerful people in America came to see Britain—and Islam—through the eyes of a fringe football hooligan. Topics covered: Radical Islam Gangs English Defence League Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to The Economist . This podcast…