Negotiations in Moscow may at last forge agreement between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents; that, in turn, would inform America’s long-promised <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/02/13/if-america-leaves-afghanistan-there-will-be-trouble?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">drawdown</a>. The International Criminal Court can investigate crimes against humans, but there is <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2021/02/28/is-it-time-for-ecocide-to-become-an-international-crime?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a push</a> to make injury to the environment a high crime, too. And a look at Britney Spears’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2021/03/16/why-are-conservatorships-controversial?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">conservatorship</a>, a legal arrangement ripe for abuse. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a> &#10;&nbsp; <hr>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

Forces to be reckoned with: Afghan peace talks

Few believe President Joe Biden’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/04/13/joe-biden-gives-up-on-the-war-in-afghanistan-leaving-a-weak-ally?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">withdrawal plan</a> is wise; it is already prompting allied forces to go. We ask about the risks of that untimely vacuum. Much climate-change angst focuses on carbon dioxide, but addressing sources of methane would be an <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2021/04/03/governments-should-set-targets-to-reduce-methane-emissions?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">easy way</a> to slow warming—and even to save money. And Bhutan’s world-beating vaccination drive took just <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/04/10/bhutan-vaccinated-almost-all-adults-against-covid-19-in-a-week?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">one week</a>. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a> &#10;&nbsp; <hr>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

Boots off the ground: America’s Afghanistan drawdown

The melody is warm and calm, like autumn leaves falling quietly)

Autumn mood

50.4 Summer wave Extensive Piano 20250831-4

125 Classical Piano Essentials (Classical Music Collection)

Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310, III. Presto

Piano Sonata No. 9 in D major, K. 311, I. Allegro, II. Andante, III. Rondo

Piano Sonata No. 10 in C major, K. 330, II. Andante

Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K. 332, II. Adagio

Time Ticks By

Guitar Ballads: For Evening Relaxation – Soft & Delicate Jazz Guitar

Guitar Ballad

A media code that would obligate tech giants to pay for linking to news stories looks set to pass. In response, Facebook pre-emptively <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2021/02/18/facebook-walks-as-google-caves-in-australia?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">took down</a> those links—and a whole lot more. So-called <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/02/06/arab-governments-are-doing-too-little-to-end-honour-killings?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">honour killings</a> persist in the Arab world; we examine the support for such murders and look at attempts to reform lax laws. And remembering the jazz-fusion giant <a href="https://www.economist.com/obituary/2021/02/18/chick-corea-died-on-february-9th?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chick Corea</a>.For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a> &#10;&nbsp; <hr>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

Piano Sonata No. 10 in C major, K. 330, II. Andante

Mezza Classical Ensemble