Latest Interviews
Showing 211–225 of 476 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist27 min
Off-side: Georgians reject new president
Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, Sarah Larniuk, Tim Cross, Maria Vilcek
In Tbilisi, escalating protests driven by democratic demands and opposition to oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili have forced the Georgian government to shift from violent crackdowns to legal intimidation following a contested presidential election and EU accession delays. Meanwhile, the incoming US administration faces complex political inertia in potentially slashing the $93 billion NASA Artemis program, as cost inefficiencies clash with entrenched congressional support for the Space Launch System across multiple states. Concurrently, the classic martini cocktail is experiencing a cultural resurgence due to its historical resilience and adaptability, with modern consumers favoring high-quality, home-mixable versions over declining general alcohol consumption trends.
- The Economist26 min
Intel in slide: a chipmaker on the ropes
Jason Palmer, Shailesh Chitnis, Sarah Lorniuk, John Fasman
Following a $16.5 billion quarterly loss and a 60% stock decline, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger faces potential removal as the semiconductor giant struggles with missed technological inflection points and a failed foundry restructuring strategy. While the company seeks over $100 billion in public and private funding to maintain its role in advanced chip manufacturing, legal and political hurdles complicate potential acquisitions or spin-offs amid geopolitical tensions with China. Simultaneously, the International Criminal Court is examining a Lithuanian referral alleging crimes against humanity by the Belarusian regime, a move that could set a legal precedent for investigating non-signatory states while viral food trends continue to disrupt global supply chains and reshape the culinary entertainment industry.
- The Economist7 min
Could AI build cities in space?
Ed Mayer, Mark Woods, Alok Jha
Leading aerospace organizations and private innovators like Machina Labs and Relativity Space are deploying AI-guided robotics to establish autonomous manufacturing capabilities essential for constructing a trillion-dollar space economy by 2040. These dual-robotic systems and advanced 3D printing technologies address critical communication latency and maintenance challenges by enabling independent decision-making for infrastructure projects on the Moon and Mars. Ultimately, this technological paradigm shift facilitates NASA's Artemis program and private ambitions to transition from temporary exploration to a permanent, multi-planetary human presence.
- The Economist20 min
Bye, cell: inside a notorious Syrian prison
Jason Palmer, Rosie Blore, Gareth Brown, Henrietta McFarlane, Anne Hanna, Heather Jones, Cristina Chiwin, Oliver Jones
Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Syrian rebels and civilians have liberated Saydnaya Prison to uncover evidence of mass executions and systematic torture affecting over 30,000 detainees while Hayat Tahrir al-Sham moves to establish a transitional government. Concurrently, a global surge in spiritual tourism is driving India's sector toward a $59 billion valuation by 2028 and doubling pilgrim numbers on Spain's Camino de Santiago route despite the decline of organized religion. Meanwhile, Manchester City faces a dual crisis as its seven-year domestic dominance ends amidst a five-game losing streak attributed to player exhaustion, compounded by an independent investigation into alleged Premier League financial breaches by its Emirati ownership.
- The Economist23 min
Bringing up Bibi: Netanyahu testifies
Bibi, Netanyahu, Jason Palmer, Rosie Bloor, Anshul Pfeffer, Mark Johnson, Rachel Lloyd, John Fassman, Alexandra Sewich-Bass, Caitlin Tolbert
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a dual crisis as he becomes the first serving Israeli prime minister to testify in a domestic corruption trial while managing war crimes allegations from the International Criminal Court and domestic protests over the Gaza conflict. Concurrently, research reveals that master's degrees in the United Kingdom offer no net financial benefit by age 35, while nearly 40% of US graduate programs yield negative returns after accounting for tuition and opportunity costs. In cultural news, The Economist highlighted four notable 2024 publications ranging from biographies of wartime figures to dystopian satires, underscoring a broader push for greater transparency and regulation in higher education financing.
- The Economist26 min
Peace from pieces: Syria after Assad
Jason Palmer, Christopher Lockwood, Tom Wainwright, Johnny Williams, Matthew Mercer
Following a rapid 12-day rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus to end five decades of rule, triggering a complex geopolitical shift as Russia and Iran withdraw support while Turkey and the US balance new power dynamics. Concurrently, Australia enacted the world's first blanket ban on social media for minors under 16, imposing heavy fines on non-compliant tech firms despite concerns over AI age-verification accuracy and uneven regulatory competition. In cultural developments, Dungeons & Dragons marked its 50th anniversary by evolving from a niche hobby into a mainstream phenomenon driven by the fifth edition, popular media crossovers, and a generation of creators who cite the game as a vital tool for social confidence and storytelling.
- The Economist25 min
Ashes to Masses: Notre Dame’s stunning return
Jason Palmer, Sophie Petter, Ori Ogunbi, Anne Rowe
Following a five-year restoration funded by nearly €900 million in private donations, Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen in Paris with its historic spire and oak roof reconstructed using strict medieval techniques under the leadership of General Jean-Louis Georgelain. Meanwhile, Ghana prepares for a pivotal election where former President John Mahama challenges the incumbent amid a severe economic crisis characterized by 23% inflation and a sovereign debt default. In a related commemoration of World War II history, the legacy of John Kinsel, the last surviving Navajo Code Talker who died at age 107, highlights the critical role of the indigenous language in creating an unbreakable cipher during the Pacific campaign.
- The Economist21 min
Michel shock: France’s government falls
Michel Barnier, Emmanuel Macron, Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, Sophie Petter, Henry Tricks, Rachel Lloyd, Jared Brown
Following a coalition of the left and far-right led by Marine Le Pen that successfully triggered a vote of no confidence, French President Emmanuel Macron has lost his third prime minister in a year, creating a constitutional deadlock that bars early elections until July 2025. In the corporate sector, while individual generative AI adoption remains high, widespread business implementation is stalled by regulatory uncertainty, legal liabilities, and a severe shortage of skilled specialists. Simultaneously, the UK gin industry faces a contraction threat as record duty hikes and rising costs dampen demand for spirits, driving a shift toward non-alcoholic alternatives despite a decade of explosive growth.
- The Economist24 min
Talk to EU later: Georgia’s fiery protests
Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, David Rennie, Anna Toklikishvili, Shailesh Chitnis, Moeka Iida
Escalating violence in Tbilisi has erupted following the ruling party's decision to pause EU accession talks and enforce a Russian-style foreign agent law, sparking a decentralized grassroots movement that challenges Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and President Salome Zurabichvili over election legitimacy. While Kremlin propaganda frames the unrest as a Western-backed color revolution, international observers warn that harsh state suppression could trigger a bloody revolution while the EU faces a geopolitical dilemma regarding how to respond to the government's authoritarian pivot.
- The Economist20 min
Shock and thaw: Syria’s frozen war resumes
Jason Palmer, Greg Karlstrom, Avantika Chilkoti
On November 27, a rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured Aleppo and other northwestern territories by exploiting the diminished military capacity of Syrian allies Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. Concurrently, journalist Avantika Chilkoti demonstrated the futility of attempting to erase digital footprints, highlighting how corporate data aggregation and limited legal jurisdictions prevent individuals from achieving true online anonymity. In financial markets, US stocks rallied following Donald Trump's re-election, with sectors like crypto, private prisons, and finance surging on deregulation expectations, though some industries like steel and oil subsequently corrected due to policy uncertainties.
- The Economist26 min
Milei’s way: Argentina’s president, a year on
Milei, Celeste Caeiro, Rosie Bloor, Kinley Salmon, Marie Zegger, Lisa Honsinger, Anne Rowe
Argentina's President Javier Milei has halved default risk and slashed monthly inflation from 13% to 3% through radical fiscal contraction and the removal of central bank deficit financing, despite pushing poverty rates to 53%. Concurrently, a UN treaty involving 180 nations and major corporations like Coca-Cola aims to bind global plastic production to stricter recycling mandates and biodegradable alternatives, a move supported by startups like Notpla to address the 500 million tonnes of annual waste. The upcoming implementation of this treaty follows the 50th anniversary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution, a non-violent 1974 coup symbolized by worker Celeste Sairu that toppled a 40-year dictatorship.
- The Economist24 min
A losing battle: Sudan’s elusive peace deal
Rosie Blau, Tom Gardner, Ana Lankas, Jason Chow
The ongoing Sudanese civil war between the army and Rapid Support Forces has escalated into a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with RSF forces closing in on al-Fasher despite diplomatic efforts by negotiator El-Zadeen al-Safi that lack immediate traction due to deep mutual distrust and foreign military backing. Simultaneously in Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro faces formal accusations of orchestrating a coup and an assassination plot against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, resulting in potential 28-year prison sentences that have galvanized the political left while right-wing candidates continue to rely on his electoral influence despite his legal bar from public office. In the commercial sphere, Chinese bubble tea chains are aggressively expanding into global markets like London and New York to escape saturated domestic competition, utilizing state-backed soft power strategies to target overseas Chinese diasporas despite facing cultural barriers in Western nations.
- The Economist21 min
Moment of truce: a ceasefire in the Middle East
Rosie Bloor, Greg Karlstrom, Anjani Trivedi, Sophie Pedder
A US and France-brokered 60-day ceasefire entered into force, mandating Hezbollah's withdrawal north of the Litani River and Israel's gradual troop pullback while facing skepticism over Lebanon's economic stability and military capacity. In Europe, the bankruptcy of battery maker Northvolt has exposed structural vulnerabilities in the region's EV supply chain, threatening to increase reliance on Chinese-dominated manufacturing and delay green energy targets. Concurrently, French media and public discourse are reshaping societal norms regarding aging, with cultural figures like Sylvie from *Emily in Paris* challenging traditional beauty standards to promote confidence and visibility for women over 60.
- The Economist20 min
Legally bombed: Trump cases dropped
Trump, Rosie Bloor, Adam O'Neill, Dina Musa, Andrew Palmer
Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to dismiss two federal cases against former President Donald Trump, citing presidential immunity and the constitutional policy barring the prosecution of sitting presidents, while Trump simultaneously declared a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports. Concurrently, a New York court found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts regarding hush money payments, though sentencing was indefinitely postponed to prevent the conviction of an active president. Legal analysts note that while these federal cases can be refiled depending on future political control, Trump and his allies view the dismissals as a definitive victory against politically motivated prosecutions.
- The Economist23 min
Scandal in the wind: Adani’s indictment could hurt Modi
Adani, Modi, Jason Palmer, Rosie Bloor, Jeremy Page, Don Wineland, Katherine Nixie
Following a BJP landslide in Maharashtra and a US indictment alleging a $250 million bribery scheme, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces intensifying political scrutiny as opposition leader Rahul Gandhi demands an investigation into the Adani conglomerate's alleged corruption. Simultaneously, China's real estate sector remains in deep crisis with 2.8 billion square meters of unsold inventory, a situation driven by restrictive debt policies and hampered by ineffective government interventions that have failed to clear housing stocks or restore consumer confidence. In the cultural sphere, psychologist Jordan Peterson continues to polarize public opinion through his new theological book and controversial rhetoric, sustaining a commercially lucrative ecosystem of followers and critics while navigating academic and societal backlash regarding his views on gender and free speech.