Economist Podcasts

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, staged a historic comeback to win a fourth term. We ask how he did it, and what he must do next. Each day this week our correspondents in America are focusing on crucial midterm-election races; today we start in Texas. And tote-bag economics: why so many businesses are getting in on selling merchandise.
Guests and host:
Ana Lankes, Brazil bureau chief
Rebecca Jackson, southern correspondent
Lizzy Peet, researcher
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Brazil election, Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro
America’s midterm elections, Texas, Ken Paxton, James Talarico
economics of “merch”
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Nigeria is suffering a worsening security crisis, compounded by a lean harvest, global aid cuts and rising energy prices. So why is President Bola Tinubu likely to win January’s election? Europe is struggling to develop a rival to Starlink and reduce reliance on American satellites. And our obituaries editor recalls the improbable career of author and conman Jeffrey Archer.
Watch extended clips from Insider here.
Guests and host:
Ore Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Nigeria, Bola Tinubu
Starlink, Ukraine, Musk, OneWeb, Eutelsat
Jeffrey Archer, Kane and Abel, perjury
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This week, Muhammad bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia, was forced to postpone his annual investment summit. His other big bets on the kingdom’s future are also floundering. Sam Bankman-Fried, a crypto-billionaire supporter of effective altruism, calls our correspondent from prison. And things look hazy in Singapore and other Asian countries.
Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondent
Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
MBS, Saudi, Davos in the desert, Future Investment Initiative
Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX, effective altruism
Indonesia, Singapore, wildfires, El Niño
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Donald Trump’s administration is turning against Ukraine. But as European powers confront trouble at home, they are struggling to replace American support. Are US private science institutions entering a golden age? And the climb in art crime.
Guests and host:
Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor
Shera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondent
Vendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
Ukraine, Witkoff, Zelenksy
Scientific research, National Science Foundation
Art theft, Louvre, Museum for Applied Art
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What started as student protests ballooned into national lawlessness. The disorder plays into the hands of France’s political extremes; expect more of it. In Zimbabwe white farmers are returning to work land taken by Robert Mugabe a quarter-century ago. And our columnist considers the delicate wording that might indemnify AI firms if the bots happen to wipe out humanity.
Guests and host:
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
Andrew Palmer, “Bartleby” columnist
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
France riots, French politics
Zimbabwe, agriculture, white farmers
AI, extinction-level events, legalese, parody
Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
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