Latest Interviews
Showing 1–4 of 4 transcripts.
Clear all filters- 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 Economist27 min
Look at who’s talking: divining Trump’s Middle East plans
Trump, Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, Greg Karlstrom, Andy Laidlaw, Tom Sass, Anne Lowe
Donald Trump's anticipated second term presents a complex Middle East dynamic where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks relief from diplomatic pressure while Iranian leaders brace for potential nuclear sanctions and a return to "maximum pressure" tactics driven by a fractured advisory circle. Concurrently, Western European nations face a severe prison overcrowding crisis, prompting British officials to reject the long-standing "prison works" ideology in favor of decarceration models proven effective in the Netherlands and select US states. The era is further marked by the passing of Quincy Jones at 91, whose career broke racial barriers in music and film while producing historic works like *Thriller* and the charity single "We Are The World."
- The Economist24 min
Timed bombs: Israel’s pre-election attack on Iran
Jason Palmer, Rosie Bloor, Greg Karlstrom, Henry Trix, Mike Jakeman
Israel executed its first officially acknowledged strike on Iranian soil, targeting air defense and missile manufacturing sites while deliberately avoiding nuclear and economic infrastructure to comply with US pressure ahead of the November election. The operation aimed to deliver a strategic blow without inflaming global oil markets, prompting domestic criticism in Israel for its limited scope and leaving Iran in a period of defensive calculation as it weighs future retaliation. Meanwhile, broader geopolitical and economic shifts include a significant surge in generative AI investment within customer service and ongoing, complex negotiations to merge the LIV Golf and PGA tours despite regulatory and cultural hurdles.
- The Economist24 min
One peace at a time: Gaza, Israel and Iran
Jason Palmer, Greg Karlstrom, Oliver Morton, Christian Garcia Mario, Claire McHugh, Alejandro Henao Perez, Alejandro Alvarez
Following high-profile assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, diplomatic mediation by the US, Egypt, and Qatar struggles to secure a Gaza ceasefire while Iran seeks a face-saving retaliation that balances deterrence with regional stability. Concurrently, NASA's InSight lander seismic data reveals a vast subsurface aquifer containing liquid water on Mars, offering the first strong evidence of a permanent liquid environment that could harbor surviving cryptic biosphere remnants. In a separate economic development, Colombia's Chocó region has emerged as a niche producer of genetically distinct vanilla beans, attracting luxury buyers despite significant infrastructure barriers that currently prevent the local harvest from meeting global export volumes.