Unfolding Geopolitics, Episode 12 | Sri Lanka goes to the polls

Even before last month’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/09/19/the-taliban-is-removing-every-shred-of-freedom-from-women?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">revised religious rules</a>, Afghanistan’s women were being crushed under the Taliban’s thumb. Now they cannot even so much as raise their voices. While other countries try to crimp the flow of cheap Chinese electric cars, Britain is <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/08/27/britains-unusual-stance-on-chinese-electric-vehicles?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">welcoming them</a>—for now (9:55). And why the French have at last <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/09/10/why-many-french-have-come-to-like-emily-in-paris?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">come to appreciate</a> “Emily in Paris” (16:12).&nbsp; Get a world of insights by <a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribing to Economist Podcasts+</a>. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

No right left: Afghanistan’s oppressed women

For now, <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/25/hizbullah-seems-to-have-miscalculated-in-its-fight-with-israel?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Israel’s moves</a> seem to be posturing, a means to intimidate Hizbullah into backing down. But there remains a prospect of a ground invasion—and another pointless war. Our swing-state series starts with a state that only recently became swing-y: <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/09/21/mark-robinson-has-hijacked-his-own-campaign-in-north-carolina?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">North Carolina</a> (10:08). And a look back at a year’s worth of <a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Economist Podcasts+</a> audio journalism (19:15). Get a world of insights by <a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribing to Economist Podcasts+</a>. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

War or less? Lebanon on the brink

With the Israeli military launching sustained attacks across Lebanon against Hezbollah, we explore why Israel has decided to ramp up strikes on Hezbollah now, as the war in Gaza rages on and tensions continue to rise in the West Bank. Bronwen Maddox is joined by The Economist’s Middle East correspondent, Gregg Carlstrom. With them are Lina Khatib and Yossi Mekelberg, associate fellows with our Middle East and North Africa Programme.

Why is Israel striking Hezbollah now?

Ukraine’s president is again on American shores, trying to secure support of all kinds. He <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2024/09/26/ukraine-is-on-the-defensive-militarily-economically-and-diplomatically?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">needs it</a>—diplomatically, militarily and politically. America’s tendencies toward “woke” discourse and policies have permeated its politics, but our analysis finds that “peak woke” is already <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/09/19/after-peak-woke-what-next?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in the past</a> (8:57). And the <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2024/09/19/how-fifa-was-outplayed-by-electronic-arts?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">latest instalment</a> of the wildly popular football video-game formerly known as simply “FIFA” (17:13). Get a world of insights by <a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribing to Economist Podcasts+</a>. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Missile-stop tour: Zelensky in America

Over the past decade <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/09/19/after-peak-woke-what-next?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=checksandbalance&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a form of wokeness</a> arose on the illiberal left, characterised by extreme pessimism about America and its capacity to make progress. <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2024/09/19/america-is-becoming-less-woke%20?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=checksandbalance&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Analysis by The Economist</a> of how influential these ideas are today finds that wokeness peaked in 2021-22 and has since receded. Why is America becoming less “woke”?&nbsp; John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Ainslie Johnstone and Sacha Nauta, and Professor Musa al-Gharbi of Stony Brook University. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via <a href="http://economist.com/podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economist.com/podcasts</a> &nbsp;Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcast-vt-3?utm_campaign=a.23acq_podcast&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence-checksandbalance-moneytalks-drumtower-babbage-editorspicks-worldinbrief-bossclass&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous.dr_nativereads_nonotebook-50offpodplus_sub&utm_term=sa.listeners&check=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</a>.&nbsp;For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcast-vt-3?utm_campaign=a.23acq_podcast&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence-checksandbalance-moneytalks-drumtower-babbage-editorspicks-worldinbrief-bossclass&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous.dr_nativereads_nonotebook-50offpodplus_sub&utm_term=sa.listeners&check=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://fcxpre.economist.com/s/article/How-can-I-listen-to-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video </a>explaining how to link your account. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Woke croaks: “peak woke” has passed

To listen every week and enjoy all our podcasts you'll need a subscription to Economist Podcasts Plus. Follow the link in the show notes for a free trial To hear more about Ukraine, join our live event on October 25th. Our editors will discuss the situation on the battlefield, the impact of the American election and the diplomacy in the background. To sign up, go to: <a href="http://economist.com/registertoday" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economist.com/registertoday</a> <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

The Weekend Intelligence: Crunchtime for Ukraine

Israel’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/29/lebanon-faces-its-worst-crisis-since-the-end-of-the-civil-war?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">attacks on Lebanon</a> and Yemen this weekend will have implications far beyond the militant groups that were the apparent targets. Our correspondents analyse what may happen next. Our correspondent reports from a conference for journalists exiled from Belarus—home to “<a href="https://www.economist.com/films/2024/02/29/who-is-europes-last-dictator?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Europe’s last dictator</a>”—to find out how they get news in (11:30). And a <a href="https://www.economist.com/china/2024/08/22/millions-of-chinese-people-play-guandan-is-that-good-or-bad?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">new card game</a> is shaking Communist Party offices in China (19:21). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</a> For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Beirut force: Israel kills Hizbullah leader

As Israeli troops <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/29/lebanon-faces-its-worst-crisis-since-the-end-of-the-civil-war?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">move into Lebanon</a> and missiles strike Damascus in Syria, can Israel’s next offensive really stay “limited, localised and targeted”? Japan’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/09/27/ishiba-shigeru-will-become-japans-next-prime-minister?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">new prime minister</a> loves planes, trains and ramen, but with few allies within his own party, his premiership may attract less devotion (8:57). And the worst invention in modern office life: <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2024/09/26/the-hell-of-the-sandwich-lunch?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“the sandwich lunch”</a> (15:24). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</a> For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Ground assault: Israeli forces invade Lebanon

After JD Vance and Tim Walz squared off against each in last night’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/10/02/the-vice-presidential-debate-was-surprisingly-cordial?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vice-presidential debate</a>, our correspondent assesses their performance –&nbsp;and its effect on the US election. In Britain the <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/09/04/why-are-remainers-so-weak-in-post-brexit-britain?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pro-European cause</a> is popular, but its advocates are ineffective (10:53). And why the gleam of a <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2024/09/24/the-curse-of-the-michelin-star?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michelin star</a> may tarnish (19:18).&nbsp;&nbsp; Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</a> For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Veep state: the running mates debate

In this episode, Abdihakim Yusuf Ali Ainte and Maram Ahmed discuss ways to turn Somalia’s climate vulnerability to climate resilience – from identifying the environmental and socio-political challenges brought by devastating climate events to exploring innovative climate financing methods for improved climate adaptation.

Building Somalia's climate resilience

Foreign policy think tank based in Mumbai. Independent & membership-based. We produce research on geopolitical & geoeconomic issues. 

Unfolding Geopolitics, Episode 12 | Sri Lanka goes to the polls

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