Latest Interviews
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Clear all filters- The Economist11 min
Is Europe facing a "Muslim takeover"? The data says otherwise | The Economist
Edward Carr, Tom, Sophia, Sasha
Following the Alternative for Deutschland's decisive victory in the Saxony-Anhalt election, which explicitly targets limiting Islamic influence, experts warn of a symbiotic relationship accelerating the far-right's electoral momentum and Europe's demographic anxieties. While data reveals a modest 6% Muslim population share and successful integration patterns often overlooked by mainstream parties, these facts fail to counter the narrative fueled by social media amplification and figures like Elon Musk regarding a perceived civilizational crisis. Consequently, the discourse increasingly conflates distinct concepts of religion and political extremism, creating a feedback loop where European outcomes are viewed as a cautionary tale that threatens to destabilize future elections across the continent.
- The Economist10 min
What would Kevin Warsh’s Federal Reserve look like? | The Economist
Kevin Warsh, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr, Henry, Zannie, Archie
President Trump has nominated former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Chair, contingent on the White House removing a Senate blockade led by Senator Tom Tillis regarding the investigation into current Chair Jerome Powell. Warsh's proposed strategy, termed "Warshonomics," seeks to lower interest rates by coupling an anticipated AI-driven productivity surge with balance sheet contraction to offset inflationary risks, despite his historical reputation as a hawk. While experts predict Warsh will implement a slightly more dovish policy yielding one or two rate cuts, his ability to align the FOMC with President Trump's demands remains a significant governance risk complicated by potential political backlash.
- The Economist10 min
Is China the new superpower?
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr, Ant, David, Ed, Alice
The analysis examines the People's Liberation Army's advanced regional military capabilities and manufacturing dominance while highlighting severe internal economic stagnation, including three years of deflation and rising youth unemployment. Although China lacks the global projection power of the United States, its strategic focus on national security and superior hypersonic technology positions it to dominate the Indo-Pacific region. Experts conclude that while Beijing will achieve significant geopolitical strength, its long-term stability faces challenges from domestic discontent and an overreliance on foreign markets that it cannot fully control.
- The Economist7 min
Why doesn’t the UK become closer to the EU?
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr
Analysts predict Prime Minister Starmer will gradually pivot to a pro-EU stance by 2028–2029, driven by strong public support for closer ties that has outlasted the domestic political trauma of Brexit. Concurrently, the government has successfully reduced net migration to approximately 200,000 annually through stricter visa rules, though rising asylum claims continue to fuel a public perception of failing border control. This stabilization of migration figures may enable a political shift toward accepting free movement with the EU within three years, provided internal European instability does not undermine cooperation.
- The Economist9 min
What we know about the Ukraine peace plan
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr, Olly, Ed, Shashank, Zannie, Chris
Emerging from Geneva talks, a draft treaty to partition Ukraine has evolved from a 28-point plan to an 18-point document featuring relaxed military caps and the potential removal of constitutional bans on NATO membership. While special representative Steve Witkoff allegedly advised Russian negotiators on pressure tactics and leaked communications cast suspicion on the security of the process, key disputes remain regarding the status of Donbass, the enforceability of vague US security guarantees, and the exclusion of European military forces. Analysts warn that despite the removal of restrictive weapon bans, the proposed framework relies on unenforceable terms and creates a strategic vacuum for Ukraine's post-war defense.
- The Economist10 min
How would Europe’s populist right govern?
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr, Nigel Farage, Alice Weidel, Jordan Bardella, Zannie, Sophie, Sasha, Ed, Sani
Amid a backdrop of economic stagnation and eroded public trust, populist leaders such as Italy's Matteo Bardella, the UK's Nigel Farage, and Germany's Alice Weidel are gaining traction by blending pro-growth rhetoric with nationalist agendas. While these movements face internal contradictions regarding fiscal realism and external barriers like the German "Brandmauer," they collectively frame the European Union as a structural obstacle to national prosperity. The resulting geopolitical friction promises to deepen polarization, as these parties advocate for diametrically opposed reforms that threaten to destabilize European integration.