How did Israel and America track down Ali Khamenei?

2026-02-13

Across the world, calls to make the wealthy pay more tax are growing louder. But, as our economics editor Henry Curr explains, the stats on inequality may actually surprise you.

#finance #usa #economics #tax

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2026-01-29

Is civil war brewing in Iran? Nicolas Pelham, our Middle East correspondent, and Jason Palmer, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, discuss internal tensions in the country and why some protesters seem to be turning their backs on peaceful demonstrations.

00:50 – What are Iran’s two opposing camps?
02:56 – What does this deepening divide mean for politics?
03:57 – Why has Iran shifted from protest to civil conflict?
06:16 – Is there any way to stop a civil war?

Listen to the full episode: https://econ.st/3NKjsm1
Is America about to attack Iran?: https://econ.st/4qKVKEC
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#TheEconomist #Iran #Protests

2025-12-24

Reporting on China is challenging. The country’s leaders seldom give interviews to Western media and when they do they tend to stick to prepared official lines. To understand China, journalists rely on well-connected academics who know the workings and worldview of the Communist Party.

The Economist’s Geopolitics editor, David Rennie, speaks to one of China’s shrewdest experts on America, Da Wei. He is a professor and director of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. They discuss China’s view of Taiwan and how Beijing could take the small island nation.

00:00 – Could Trump sell out Taiwan for a trade deal?
02:24 – How China can win over the Taiwanese
03:35 – How Taiwan would be governed under China
06:01 – The opportunity from a Donald Trump

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

2025-12-10

Russia’s confrontation with the West isn’t playing out on a traditional battlefield. It’s unfolding through sabotage attempts, cyber operations and political interference—all part of a widening grey-zone conflict.
On Inside Defence intelligence expert Gordon Corera joins David Rennie, our geopolitics editor, to explore the Russian mindset and how Western governments should respond.

00:00 – Russia’s siege mentality
01:03 – Sabotage, proxies and grey-zone tactics
02:05 – Why deterrence no longer works

Watch the full show: https://econ.st/44SuJ9r

Read our coverage on how Russia is testing the West: https://econ.st/4pVzRCD

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2025-10-29

How could Russia win off the battlefield? The EU’s top diplomat and our geopolitics editor, David Rennie, discuss how Putin could achieve his objectives if Ukraine becomes a failed democracy. Kaja Kallas says democracy in Ukraine is not perfect, and it would need further reform to become a member of the European Union.

2025-10-22

Where are China’s missing moguls? Since the start of the year, 39 Chinese business leaders have vanished into Liuzhi—a detention system created as part of Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption crackdown. Don Weinland, our China business and finance editor and Rosie Blau, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, discuss the extent of these sinister disappearances.

00:00 – Chinese bosses are being detained
00:50 – What is the Liuzhi detention system
02:08 – How many CEOs have disappeared?
03:14 – Why is Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign increasing
05:15 – How else are businessmen being persecuted?
06:43 – High suicide rates among Chinese businessmen

Listen to the full episode: https://econ.st/4osBCph
China’s disappearing bosses: https://econ.st/47uNWjf
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2025-10-14

The transatlantic alliance is facing its toughest test since the cold war. Shashank Joshi, our defence editor, sat down with Mark Rutte, the head of NATO, to discuss Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine, the growing threat from China and dealing with Donald Trump.

You can watch the full interview, as part of our new video series “The Economist Insider”, from Tuesday October 14th at 6pm London time.

00:00 – Russian incursions into NATO airspace
01:45 – Is Russia a real threat?
04:14 – What Donald Trump means for the alliance
05:58 – What Europe will do if China invades Taiwan

Watch the full interview: https://econ.st/3W5fEwE

Putin’s dangerous drone probe is a moment of truth for NATO: https://econ.st/4hgufiE

Listen: Space invaders: Russia’s NATO nose-thumbing: