Latest Interviews
Showing 121–124 of 124 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist8 min
Women and the Saudi revolution
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Noor Shabib, Hoda al-Halaissi
Led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is executing a rapid top-down modernization strategy that lifts social restrictions like the ban on women driving while simultaneously centralizing political power and suppressing dissent. Although these reforms aim to diversify the oil-dependent economy by integrating the majority-female university graduate workforce, they face significant risks from religious puritans, rival royals, and a volatile youth population whose aspirations remain unmet by the regime's refusal to democratize. The success of this delicate balancing act is critical, as a stable, moderate Saudi Arabia could significantly enhance regional security and offer a counter-narrative to extremist interpretations of Islam globally.
- The Economist38 min
James Comey on emails, the "American giant" and the end of Donald Trump
James Comey, Donald Trump, Anne McElvoy
Former FBI Director James Comey articulates his judgment that President Trump is morally unfit for office while asserting the FBI remains a rock-solid, unpoliticized institution despite intense scrutiny. He reflects on the contentious October 28 decision regarding the Clinton email investigation and expresses skepticism about the North Korean denuclearization deal, maintaining high confidence that the Mueller probe will uncover criminal facts regardless of political fallout. Looking ahead to his public policy course at the College of William & Mary, Comey emphasizes that ethical leadership is defined by rigorous truth-seeking processes rather than outcomes, arguing that American democratic values may ultimately strengthen through a necessary national reassessment.
- The Economist8 min
Putin's games with the West
Former chess grandmaster and exiled activist Garry Kasparov analyzes Vladimir Putin's geopolitical strategy as a deceptive game of poker rather than transparent chess, detailing how Western inaction during conflicts in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria has repeatedly emboldened the Russian leader. Kasparov critiques the failure of past engagement policies and argues that the West must now shift toward a rigorous strategy of isolation and deterrence to impose long-term strategic losses on Russia. He proposes concrete countermeasures including economic sanctions, visa restrictions, and asset seizures to counter Putin's use of blackmail and secrecy.
- The Economist7 min
The Agenda: Minouche Shafik discusses education and inequality
Drawing on personal experience from post-revolution Egypt and global economic trends, the speaker argues that nationalization and rigid educational systems have eroded social mobility while lifelong learning gaps disproportionately favor the wealthy. The presentation critiques the failure of traditional models, including German vocational training, to prepare workers for careers that may shift two to five times, a disconnect that fuels public backlash against elitist experts. Consequently, the argument posits that policy reform depends on replacing jargon with accessible communication to bridge the divide between economic realities and public perception.