Atef Najib, a former security chief, is the highest-profile member of the Assad regime to go on trial. We ask why the speed, uneven spread and murky legal basis of justice troubles many Syrians. Our series leading up to America’s 250th birthday continues to plumb our archive. Today: the cold war and Vietnam. And why whiskymaking is booming in China.

Guests and host:

• Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent
• Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
• Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Syria, judicial system, transitional justice
• America, 250th anniversary, history
• China, business, whisky

Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Runtime: 24 min

TWITTER HANDLES OF CONTRIBS

@BrowneGareth – Syria

@annie_crabill – US250

@donweinland – whisky

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Tommy Robinson is an influencer who has shaped views on Britain, particularly among his American supporters and funders. A rally this weekend will show how his worldview is reaching the mainstream. A merger in the oligopoly of liftmakers will reshape an industry known for its ups and downs. And remembering Raghu Rai, whose photographs captured the intensity of India’s people.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.

Guests and host:

• Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
• Simon Wright, industry editor
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Tommy Robinson, Britain’s far right, America’s far right
• Lifts, mergers, business
• Raghui Rai, India, photojournalism

Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

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Perhaps the AI “boomers” are right about a sweeping labour-market revolution. But a careful look at history shows just how unprecedented their bullish scenarios would be. Africa’s bounty of minerals has drawn tremendous recent interest; will the continent see the benefits this time around? And our World Cup profile series continues with a look at Japan’s squad.

Guests and host:

• Callum Williams, senior economics writer
• John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• AI, labour market, economics, history
• Africa, critical minerals, investment, development
• World Cup, Japan

Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

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The meeting between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will set the tone for three more this year. We examine what and what not to expect. Pepsi has been losing ground to Coca Cola recently; to catch up, it may have to become more like its rival. And this year’s Venice Biennale is uncomfortably besieged by geopolitics.

Guests and host:

• Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chief
• Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
• Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Trump/Xi summit, geopolitics
• Coca Cola, Pepsi, business
• Venice Biennale, culture

Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

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Artificial intelligence could help terrorists develop new dangerous pathogens. Our correspondent asks how humanity can protect itself from machine-assisted biological weapons. Stock markets are soaring, despite the oil shock. What does this tell us about investor confidence in traditionally safe assets? And the doughs and don’ts of German bread.

Guests and host:

• Arthur Holland Michel, emerging tech writer
• Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Lily Meckel, audience fellow
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Bioweapons, AI, virus
• Stockmarkets, oil shock, dollar, government bonds
• German bread, Bernd das Brot

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

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After catastrophic local-election results, Britain’s prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life. One airline has folded and others may follow: jet-fuel prices are crimping carriers the world over, but the pain is not spread evenly. And could San Andrés, a popular Colombian tourist island, ever declare independence?

Guests and host:

• Owen Winter, Britain political correspondent
• Simon Wright, industries editor
• Claire McQue, Americas writer
• Rosie Blau co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Britain elections, Keir Starmer, Reform UK, Labour
• Airlines, jet fuel, oil price, Strait of Hormuz
• San Andrés, Colombia, Caribbean

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

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The Kremlin planned to provide Iran with unjammable drones, plus training in how to use them, according to leaked documents seen exclusively by The Economist. Meanwhile there are nearly 20,000 merchant seamen stranded in the Gulf. And a tribute to Craig Venter, dark horse of the Human Genome Project.

Watch extended clips from Economist Insider here.

Guests and host:

• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Joshua Spencer, Asia news editor
• Geoffrey Carr, senior editor, science and technology
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Iran war, Russia, drones
• Commercial shipping
• Craig Venter

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An egregious attack in a Jewish neighbourhood in London is just the latest example of a troubling trend. We investigate the claim that antisemitism is becoming normalised in Britain. While many of the world’s luxury brands are struggling, American ones seem to be flourishing. And our series of profiles of teams contesting the World Cup continues with Argentina.

Guests and host:

• Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
• Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• antisemitism, Britain
• American brands, luxury goods
• World Cup, Argentina

Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

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