Latest Interviews
Showing 1–3 of 3 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist10 min
Did America ever have a plan for the Middle East? | The Economist
Following the end of the Bush administration's distinct democratic export framework, US regional strategy has shifted from direct military intervention to economic leverage via sanctions while withdrawing forces from Syria and Iraq. Concurrently, Iran is navigating a critical succession crisis under Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei, delaying potential nuclear or security deals until internal factional power balances are resolved. As Washington draws down its footprint, Gulf states face a strategic dilemma wherein a strong or collapsed Iran each present significant threats, prompting them to hedge against Iranian proxy forces poised to fill the emerging power vacuum.
- The Economist8 min
How strong is Iran’s regime?
Nicolas Pelham, Adam Roberts, Nick, Ed
Iran's strategic pivot from a proxy-heavy "forward defense" to a missile-centric approach follows the erosion of its Syrian alliances, while the regime grapples with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's frailty and a shifting succession landscape dominated by factional money rather than ideology. To maintain power amidst a secular populace, the leadership is adopting nationalist narratives and rebranding the nuclear program as a permanent national asset, signaling a retreat from revolutionary theocracy. This reinvention faces an existential conflict between the public's desire for global integration and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' vested interest in preserving a closed economy that fuels its monopolies.
- The Economist25 min
Why the baby business is booming
Jessica, David Smotrich, Nima, Hamish, Alan White, Nick, Emma, Catherine Wade, Mian Ridge
Valued at over $14 billion with projections reaching $130 billion, the global surrogacy industry is rapidly expanding due to rising infertility rates and restrictive laws in home countries that drive demand toward unregulated hubs. While the United States and Ukraine have historically served as major centers, tightening regulations in Asia and safety crises in Africa have forced a geographic shift that exposes gestational surrogates to severe exploitation and high maternal mortality. Experts now advocate for comprehensive international legal frameworks to replace bans with regulated standards, ensuring protections for children, intended parents, and surrogate workers across a market spanning costs from $30,000 to $200,000.