Latest Interviews
Showing 136–150 of 1,030 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist10 min
Former head of MI6: Iran has the “upper hand” in the war | The Economist
Sir Alex Younger, Shashank Joshi
Despite a powerful U.S. air campaign, Iran maintains strategic initiative through dispersed military capabilities and the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz, creating a resilient conflict environment that paradoxically bolsters regime morale while facing an estimated 80% domestic opposition. The death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has accelerated a structural transition from religious theocracy to a pragmatic IRGC-dominated junta, characterized by the leadership of General Vahidi and the constrained influence of President Masoud Peseshkian. Analysts suggest that while the regime survives its "death throes" due to internal security crackdowns and limited Western intervention options, its long-term viability remains critically low given the population's desire for an end to theocratic rule and the potential for a successor-driven transition.
- The Economist8 min
The Iran war will cause inflation to surge | The Economist
The escalation of conflict in Iran has triggered a surge in oil prices that threatens to transmit inflationary pressure globally through energy costs and critical fertilizer shortages at the Strait of Hormuz. Central bankers face a complex dilemma balancing the risk of a historical wage-price spiral against the potential for economic stagnation, while navigating political pressure to lower rates despite IMF forecasts predicting a two percentage point inflation jump. This crisis compels immediate policy intervention to prevent a permanent structural shift in inflation expectations, mirroring the cautionary precedents of the 1970s and recent cumulative global shocks.
- Milken Institute18 min
US House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets Chairman Bryan Steil | Future of Finance
U.S. policymakers are navigating a critical inflection point where new frameworks for the Genius Act and targeted AI regulation aim to solidify American dominance in stablecoins, tokenization, and digital assets against global competitors. These strategies leverage the $300 billion stablecoin market backed by U.S. Treasuries and the projected $4 trillion in 2030 tokenized securities to drive dollarization in unstable economies while avoiding the innovation-stifling effects of broad horizontal laws. By engaging directly with the House Financial Services Subcommittee, industry leaders and regulators seek to protect consumers from bad actors through a scalpel-like approach that preserves market-driven outcomes.
- Goldman Sachs20 min
Steven Mnuchin: Navigating Credit Cycles, AI Investment, and Fiscal Policy
A leading economic strategist analyzes a converging trajectory of massive AI-driven capital expenditure, a resilient credit market dominated by private lending, and persistent fiscal challenges stemming from a 125% debt-to-GDP ratio. The speaker argues that while aggressive infrastructure build-outs and trade tariffs create market volatility, sustained economic growth of 3% or higher remains essential to maintain U.S. fiscal health and global currency dominance. Despite identified risks in labor supply and political spending inaction, the outlook projects continued U.S. outperformance through strategic technological adoption and a shift in banking dynamics.
- Milken Institute19 min
Conversation with Columbia Investment Management Company CEO & President Kim Lew | Future of Finance
Columbia University manages the complex transition from traditional globalization-driven investing to a fragmented landscape defined by geopolitical risk, AI integration, and restrictive cross-border regulations. The institution deploys advanced artificial intelligence tools to rapidly analyze data, streamline operational dashboards, and provide an unbiased perspective within its Investment Committee, thereby distinguishing itself from over-allocated peers. Ultimately, the approach emphasizes building horizontal networks and cultivating future thought leaders to ensure mission-driven organizations can navigate volatile markets while maintaining long-term tactical flexibility.
- The Economist8 min
Britain’s chancellor: closer relations with the EU are in our national interest
Rachel Reeves, Rachana Shanbhogue
The UK government has formalized a strategy for broader regulatory alignment with the EU to unlock an estimated 8% GDP boost, moving beyond previous sectoral deals in areas like food and energy to mitigate isolation risks from global protectionism. Led by the Chancellor and recently discussed with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, this approach prioritizes functional market integration while explicitly rejecting a return to the EU or Customs Union to avoid political division. European partners have welcomed these concrete commitments, viewing the UK's shift as a pragmatic step toward shared economic growth and security that leverages the nation's position as a G7 growth leader.
- Goldman Sachs15 min
Emerging Markets: Stirred, But Not Yet Shaken
Kamakshya Trivedi, Alison Nathan
Goldman Sachs analysts observe that risky assets recently reversed gains following an Iran conflict-driven oil spike, shifting market expectations from rate cuts to an inflation shock that has strengthened the US dollar through favorable terms of trade. While traditional hedges have underperformed, the firm maintains a positive outlook for emerging market equities, projecting 10–12% upside driven by robust earnings and structural trends like the AI semiconductor supply chain rather than multiple expansion. This bullish stance assumes the energy crisis remains short-duration; however, a prolonged conflict threatening physical supply shortages could force a re-evaluation of growth estimates and trigger significant market damage.
- The Economist8 min
Is Russia the real winner from the war in Iran? | The Economist
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Shashank, Greg, Ed
A strategic assessment highlights Russia's improved economic resilience and reduced incentive for negotiations, while Gulf states face a binary choice between dealing with Iran or deepening US security ties at the cost of regional stability. The conflict simultaneously exposes critical US industrial limitations in interceptor stockpiles despite demonstrating superior technical execution, a dynamic that China interprets as evidence of American war fatigue. Consequently, these developments entrench Russia's position and accelerate Beijing's military modernization efforts focused on endurance and missile capabilities.
- The Economist7 min
What stocks should you buy during an oil shock? | The Economist
The ongoing war in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies, causing high-quality assets within the S&P 500 and MSCI World Index to underperform as rising energy costs strain long-term valuation models while boosting near-term earnings for low-quality energy stocks. This inversion of traditional flight-to-quality dynamics stems from the fact that speculative, high-multiple valuations are highly sensitive to geopolitical uncertainty, whereas lower-multiple firms possess a valuation buffer that supports performance during volatility. Analysts warn that while market trends currently favor low-quality stocks due to fear, a rapid reversal of this pattern is only anticipated if the Strait of Hormuz opens to restore free oil flow.
- Goldman Sachs15 min
Can Software Survive AI?
Gabriela Borges, Allison Nathan
Goldman Sachs and industry analysts report a market sentiment shift in the software sector, where investor concerns over AI-driven existential risks have triggered significant sell-offs by challenging the defensibility of incumbent technology moats. In response, major players like Salesforce and Microsoft are executing strategic replatforming, targeted M&A, and granular monetization tactics to validate that their integrated AI solutions outperform third-party alternatives. Despite slowed revenue growth rates, the sector is showing signs of stabilization as companies demonstrate improved free cash flow margins and attract value-oriented investors seeking GAAP profitability over unchecked stock-based compensation.
- The Economist8 min
Are Gulf states running out of missile interceptors? | The Economist
Amidst sustained Iranian ballistic missile barrages, Gulf nations and Israel are depleting their layered air defense stocks, including Patriot and Arrow systems, at unsustainable rates that could exhaust reserves within two weeks. This rapid attrition forces regional militaries to ration interceptors, raising the risk of breached defenses, increased casualties, and the targeting of high-value assets like the US consulate in Dubai. Consequently, the conflict is straining global US production capacity, threatening to divert critical munitions from other theaters while exposing long-term vulnerabilities in allied preparedness against high-intensity missile warfare.
- The Economist7 min
Anthropic’s CEO explains why he took on the Pentagon
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Dario Amodei
A technology executive highlights a strategic conflict with the Pentagon over negotiating a new, broader AI contract that includes restrictions on fully autonomous weapon deployment due to current safety limitations and the risk of a normative oversight vacuum. While the speaker asserts 99% alignment with government goals on non-autonomous capabilities, the dispute centers on the Pentagon's rejection of operational constraints, which the executive warns could force the effective nationalization of private AI firms. This tension is framed as a long-term challenge where both private companies and state actors possess unprecedented power that requires balanced oversight to prevent abuse or overreach.
- Milken Institute20 min
American Dream Investing: Conversation with HUD Secretary Scott Turner | Future of Finance 2026
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a rule change mandating work requirements for able-bodied public housing recipients, aiming to assist 79,000 families in achieving self-sufficiency while generating a projected $501 million income increase. Under Secretary Benson's leadership, the agency is simultaneously streamlining regulations by removing federal zoning overreach to empower local jurisdictions and revitalizing the Opportunity Zones program, which has already facilitated $100 billion in private investment and lifted 1 million people from poverty. These initiatives reflect a strategic shift toward leveraging private sector innovation and emphasizing personal responsibility to address root causes of homelessness and expand housing affordability.
- The Economist8 min
Will the Iran war spread across the Middle East?
Greg, Anshul, Adam, Pete Hexeth
Experts warn that regional chaos in Iran could trigger a prolonged conflict, spiking energy prices and threatening the security models of Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. While historically neutral, these nations are shifting toward military alignment with the US and abandoning diplomatic restraint as Iranian strikes backfire by uniting regional populations against Tehran. This escalation occurs amidst a US strategy driven by legacy considerations rather than broad public support, aiming to transform Iran's political landscape while balancing fears of a quagmire against the need to signal power to global rivals like China.
- Goldman Sachs14 min
Oil Market Impacts from Iran
Daan Struyven, Alison Nathan, Don Stroivind
A U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a significant disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and causing Brent crude prices to surge 25% year-to-date. While Goldman Sachs forecasts a base case of no sustained supply interruptions with prices stabilizing by late 2026, the market currently prices in a risk premium for a potential one-month closure that could drive costs to triple digits. As global spare capacity remains trapped by the blockade and U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve levels remain low, the situation presents immediate inflationary risks and elevated geopolitical tail risks for Gulf Cooperation Council infrastructure.