Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a dangerous gamble | The Economist

2026-04-02

There’s been a rush of headlines about a meltdown in private credit, sparking fears of a 2008-esque crisis. But what’s actually happening? Our top economics editors explain what private credit is, what’s causing the concern and whether it can be compared to the Lehman Brothers collapse.

#economics #finance #privatecredit #markets

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2026-03-28

Is time running out for Big Oil? Vijay Vaitheeswaran, The Economist’s global energy & climate innovation editor and co-hosts of the Money Talks podcast, Alice Fulwood and Ethan Wu, discuss tensions around Iran, windfall profits for oil and LNG firms, and how supply disruptions could trigger food shortages, industrial shocks, and accelerate shift towards clean energy.

00:04 – What is the mood at CERAWeek among global energy leaders?
01:47 – How is conflict disrupting oil production and supply chains?
03:43 – Are markets underestimating the duration and damage of the crisis?
05:05 – Does U.S. policy show a lack of clear strategy?
06:14 – Are energy markets too complacent about long-term risks?
06:31 – How vulnerable is the Strait of Hormuz to modern warfare?
07:25 – Will this crisis

2026-03-24

Alex Younger says Iran has the “upper hand” in the war. In an interview with Shashank Joshi, the Economist’s defence editor, the former head of MI6 says that America underestimated the regime, which has employed all manner of tactics to fight for its survival.

#iran #usa #geopolitics #politics #trump

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2026-02-07

In reality it’s one of the safest major cities in the world.

2025-12-24

Do you think kids spend too much time on their phones? You might be worrying about the wrong age group. Tom Wainwright, our media editor, reveals which generation is the most square-eyed.

2025-12-15

The mega-rich are giving up on luxury assets. Forget fine wine, great art and glitzy mansions. Instead, they’re spending on hotels, restaurants and sporting events. The Economist’s senior economics writer, Callum Williams, explores the growth in ultra-luxury services.

Tap the link to learn why working as a housekeeper in Palm Beach in Florida can now net you more than $150,000 a year

2025-10-30

How resilient is the global economy? Mike Bird, co-host of the Money Talks podcast, speaks with Gita Gopinath, Harvard professor and former IMF chief economist, about her experience steering the financial body through crises and the fiscal risks countries currently face.

00:09 – What was it like working at the IMF during a time of global crises?
01:35 – Can emerging markets stay resilient as U.S. influence fades?
04:37 – How worried should we be about hidden risks in global finance and soaring deficits?
07:22 – How can rich countries fix their fiscal imbalances?

Listen to the full episode: https://econ.st/4hzMWxL
Gita Gopinath on the crash that could torch $35trn of wealth: https://econ.st/47uiKPV
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2025-10-23

At The Economist, we believe it is important to engage seriously with people whose ideas challenge our own. In keeping with that belief, our editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, and our deputy editor, Ed Carr, spoke to Steve Bannon, one of the chief architects of the MAGA movement. Bannon insists that president Trump will have a third term and has played a role in galvanising Europe’s populist nationalists, many of whom are now close to power.

Subscribers can watch the full interview as part of our new video series The Insider.

00:00 – The Economist interviews Steve Bannon
00:52 – What kind of America does Bannon want to build?
02:00 – Bannon on seizing America’s institutions
06:15 – Bannon says Trump will have a third term
10:41 – Bannon’s role in populist nationalist movements in