Latest Interviews
Showing 241–255 of 1,511 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist9 min
Is ICE a threat to American democracy?
President Trump's administration has aggressively expanded federal authority by deploying militarized agents to enforce immigration policies, culminating in the fatal shooting of an unarmed nurse and the establishment of unchecked executive control over enforcement actions. While a recent poll shows 92% of respondents view ICE as a threat to democracy, discussion leaders emphasize that only legal accountability for lethal officers, rather than public outrage or "supine" congressional action, can effectively halt this erosion of democratic norms. As the administration continues to pursue political retribution beyond statutory mandates, the critical challenge for the coming year remains whether institutions and civil society will force a confrontation to prevent the normalization of these unchecked executive powers.
- Goldman Sachs12 min
Long Gold and Long Stocks
Goldman Sachs' Anshul Sehgal characterizes the current economic landscape as an ambiguous phase driven by a projected $1 trillion AI capital expenditure wave, which he compares to a new industrialization era comparable to Detroit's mid-20th century automotive boom. While anticipating a bimodal distribution for Federal Reserve interest rates, Sehgal argues that structural disinflationary forces from technology and demographics will likely offset inflationary pressures from geopolitical fragmentation and a shifting global reserve asset mix toward gold. Consequently, the firm advocates a portfolio "barbell" strategy balancing growth equities with physical commodities to navigate potential K-shaped labor market shifts and capitalize on expected double-digit global growth over the next decade.
- The Economist8 min
Why civil war is brewing in Iran
Iran is currently experiencing a violent "quiet civil war" where the state and royalist factions have polarized following a shift from peaceful protest to extreme bloodshed driven by economic collapse. The conflict features mutual accusations of foreign mercenary involvement and the sidelining of traditional democratic leaders in favor of armed mobilization, even as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remains isolated while exiled figures and tribal groups prepare further escalation. This escalating crisis, occurring amidst potential U.S. military intervention, threatens to plunge the Islamic Republic into an unpredictable transition that could result in either Revolutionary Guard dominance or a prolonged struggle for power.
- Goldman Sachs16 min
How AI is Driving Drug Discovery: Xaira Therapeutics' Marc Tessier Lavigne
Marc Tessier Lavigne, Sonia Gupta
Zara Therapeutics CEO Mark Tessier Levine is applying a three-pillar strategy combining AI-driven design, massive-scale biology, and clinical experience to disrupt an industry where 90% of drug candidates currently fail. By leveraging frontier models from David Baker and over $1 billion in funding, the company targets undruggable proteins and aims to reduce development timelines from five years to under two. This approach shifts the paradigm from intuitive trial-and-error to a systematic, in silico process designed to fundamentally increase clinical success rates.
- The Economist8 min
How OSINT has given Ukraine a strategic advantage
The company initiated direct data sharing with Ukrainian military officials and former spy chief Kyrylo Budanov to provide strategic intelligence on Russian operations in the Black Sea and deep territory. While an ethics committee reviews government requests to ensure transparency, the founders emphasize that their role involves guiding technology use through selective partnership rather than claiming neutrality in conflicts with distinct societal impacts. Despite facing Russian cyber threats and being viewed as a hostile entity, the fleet maintains operational resilience through a disaggregated architecture that ensures continuous service even when individual satellites are compromised.
- The Economist9 min
Why are ICE agents targeting Minneapolis?
The administration targeted the Democratic stronghold of Minneapolis for immigration enforcement to politically polarize voters and challenge officials like Governor Tim Walz, despite the city's small immigrant population creating logistical challenges for meeting enforcement quotas. This strategy follows disputed border agent shootings, including the killing of Alex Preti, where conflicting narratives between officials and video evidence have fueled public opposition and shifted polling toward abolishing ICE. As Minnesota leaders face federal investigations and federal agents preempt local inquiries, escalating tensions between state and federal authorities are driving potential government shutdowns while large protests continue in freezing conditions to contest the administration's monopoly on defining the facts.
- Goldman Sachs12 min
“A Massive Broadening Trade”
Rich Privorotsky, Chris Hussey
Global markets are pivoting from a narrative of fading geopolitical risk to one dominated by Japanese bond volatility and a surging "real asset" rally driven by central bank diversification and inflation expectations. While U.S. mega-cap tech faces valuation compression due to AI investment concerns, capital is rotating aggressively into emerging markets and cyclical sectors like Greek banks to capitalize on a broader pro-growth strategy. As investors await critical tech earnings and Federal Reserve leadership nominations, the primary market risk remains a potential shift from rate cut expectations to aggressive hikes should U.S. labor data stabilize.
- The Economist9 min
Could the world move away from the dollar?
Rachana Shanbhogue, Henry Curr, Gita Gopinath, Kenneth Rogoff, Peter
China's decoupling from the dollar, combined with sanctions on Russia and rising US debt levels, is accelerating a global shift toward diversifying reserve assets away from the United States. While the Euro and Renminbi are gaining traction in specific trade blocs, the transition remains gradual despite warnings of potential financial instability driven by US political polarization and a public default threat from the Trump administration. Global markets have thus far absorbed trade tensions without major financial contagion, though a tipping point could trigger a rapid restructuring of the international currency system if US institutional credibility continues to erode.
- Milken Institute6 min
LeadersLink Kristen Dahlgren
Founded by journalist and breast cancer survivor Kristin Dahlgren, the Cancer Vaccine Coalition accelerates the development of immune-activating cancer vaccines by rapidly scaling from a startup into a global network coordinating its first summit with the AACR and HSBC Bank. Despite early operational hurdles in defining the therapeutic sector, the organization secured its first major donation and clinical trial funding while leveraging the Leaders Link program to access high-level mentorship and strategic partnerships. With a documentary in production to drive public awareness, the coalition aims to shorten the five-to-ten-year timeline for patient access to less toxic, faster-acting cancer treatments.
- Milken Institute6 min
LeadersLink Anjee Davis
Founded in 2005 by Nancy Roach, FIGHT Colorectal Cancer has expanded its advocacy operations to over 25 staff while addressing the disease's status as the second leading cause of cancer deaths. The organization recently pivoted to the "Leaders Link" initiative, launching a specialized AI digital tool that delivers guideline-aligned information on colorectal diagnosis and treatment while navigating technical maintenance challenges through strategic vendor partnerships. Current priorities emphasize disseminating this resource to health systems and professional associations, alongside the Leaders Link mentorship program which connects participants with diverse innovation strategies to enhance community support.
- Milken Institute6 min
LeadersLink Michelle Stewart
Founded by Avner Namani and Caroline Kelly, Pankind Pancreatic Cancer Australia aims to triple the five-year survival rate to 39% by 2030 through evidence-based research and patient navigation systems that address treatment inaccessibility. The organization mitigates the dangers of unproven overseas therapies by deploying clinical nurse specialists and partnering with Trial Screen to simplify complex clinical trial enrollment for diverse and rural populations. With strategic support from the LeadersLink capstone program and input from CEO Michelle Stewart, Pankind is refining this framework to accelerate therapeutic adoption and transform terminal diagnoses into manageable chronic conditions.
- The Economist10 min
Will Trump invade Greenland?
Trump, Shashank Joshi, Rosie Blau
Donald Trump's pursuit of a unilateral acquisition of Greenland has triggered a severe diplomatic crisis characterized by unprecedented accusations of blackmail and intimidation from European leaders, including the prime ministers of Sweden and Denmark. This dispute threatens to fundamentally erode faith in NATO's Article 5 and fracture the transatlantic alliance by exposing Europe's structural security deficit in intelligence, logistics, and command structures. While domestic US opposition and the military's heavy reliance on European bases constrain the prospect of annexation, the event is driving accelerated efforts across Europe to develop an independent defense vision capable of operating without US support.
- Goldman Sachs14 min
Which Equity Markets Will Outperform?
Goldman Sachs Co-CEO Kunal Shah outlined a robust 2026 U.S. economic outlook featuring 2.8% GDP growth driven by AI-fueled capex and easing financial conditions, while warning of elevated leverage and political risks to central bank independence. The firm forecasts balanced returns across U.S., European, and Asian markets despite divergent drivers, noting that excess savings in non-U.S. regions are shifting toward domestic spending rather than external deficits. In strategic asset allocation, the firm highlights Treasury bonds for diversification if labor markets weaken and recommends gold as a hedge against de-dollarization, though it cautions against shorting credit spreads due to their historically tight levels.
- The Economist9 min
Iran’s former crown prince on its potential path to democracy
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Reza Pahlavi
During a period characterized as a revolution rather than a protest, a self-styled neutral arbiter proposes establishing a temporary government to replace Iran's current regime with a democratic system based on secular governance and territorial integrity. This transition plan includes immediate nuclear program abandonment to lift sanctions, a constitutional referendum process, and the potential integration of an economically reformed Iran with Israel to ensure regional stability. Proponents argue that the movement, supported by street chants and diaspora experience, seeks to dismantle a corrupt elite while offering all citizens the prospect of greater wealth through transparent economic policies.
- The Economist9 min
Are America’s tariffs here to stay?
The Trump administration implements a tariff strategy described as ruthlessly successful by expanding leverage beyond trade deficits to address geopolitical issues like the Rio Grande water agreement and fentanyl trafficking. By framing these measures as corrective fees rather than exclusionary sanctions, the policy prioritizes domestic workers and manufacturing strength while rejecting rigid multilateral frameworks. Although traditional allies express deep concern and seek to reduce U.S. dependence, the administration maintains that negotiations driven by American economic power are essential for achieving new deals and safeguarding national sovereignty.