Best Worldwide correspondents Podcasts (2024)

1
The Weekend Intelligence: Black boxes (part one): Michael Kovrig on how he became a political hostage in China 29:47

17m ago29:47

29:47

One evening, Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, grabbed a late dinner in Beijing with his partner. When they arrived back at his apartment, men in black were waiting for them. Mr Kovrig was pushed into a waiting SUV. Handcuffed and blindfolded, he was driven to a detention centre in southern Beijing that would be his home for the next 1,01…

1
The arc of war: a bloody week in Lebanon 22:28

23h ago22:28

22:28

In a matter of weeks the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah has transformed life in Lebanon. Our correspondent reports from the streets of Beirut. After a pandemic-sized hiccup in the gym industry only the cheap ones and the really pricey ones are building muscle (11:10). And why chess grandmasters are getting younger and younger (17:45). Listen…

1
Yuan for the money: China stimulates its economy 26:54

2d ago26:54

26:54

After years of slowing growth, the Chinese government is finally attempting to bolster consumer demand, business confidence and the stock market. Our correspondent analyses the surprise shift in policy (10:25). How will immigration policy play with swing voters in Arizona? And Sally Rooney, a modern-day Jane Austen with a dash of S&M (19:35). Liste…

1
Veep state: the running mates debate 23:20

3d ago23:20

23:20

After JD Vance and Tim Walz squared off against each in last night’s vice-presidential debate, our correspondent assesses their performance – and its effect on the US election. In Britain the pro-European cause is popular, but its advocates are ineffective (10:53). And why the gleam of a Michelin star may tarnish (19:18). Listen to what matters mos…

1
Ground assault: Israeli forces invade Lebanon 18:55

4d ago18:55

18:55

As Israeli troops move into Lebanon and missiles strike Damascus in Syria, can Israel’s next offensive really stay “limited, localised and targeted”? Japan’s new prime minister 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: “t…

1
Beirut force: Israel kills Hizbullah leader 26:06

5d ago26:06

26:06

Israel’s attacks on Lebanon 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 “Europe’s last dictator”—to find out how they get news in (11:30). And a new…

1
9-29-24 -- Quivers, Illuminati Hotties, and Nada Surf 30:11

5d ago30:11

30:11

Will discusses the latest releases by Quivers, Illuminati Hotties, and Nada Surf.By Will

1
The Weekend Intelligence: Crunch time for Ukraine 52:18

6d ago52:18

52:18

Ukraine’s President has been in New York this week. With a victory plan in his pocket, he’s been shoring up support at the UN and among America’s presidential contenders. On the world stage Mr Zelensky presents a united front but back home things are a little more patchy. It's crunch time for Ukraine. Winter is coming, some Western partners are tir…

1
Missile-stop tour: Zelensky in America 23:29

8d ago23:29

23:29

Ukraine’s president is again on American shores, trying to secure support of all kinds. He needs it—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 in the past (8:57). And the latest instalment of the wildly popular …

1
War or less? Lebanon on the brink 27:36

9d ago27:36

27:36

For now, Israel’s moves 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: North Carolina (10:08). And a look back at a year’s worth of Economist Podcasts+ audio journalism …

1
No right left: Afghanistan’s oppressed women 22:31

10d ago22:31

22:31

Even before last month’s revised religious rules, 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 welcoming them—for now (9:55). And why the French have at last come to appreciate “Emily in Par…

1
Shun while it lasted: never-Trumpers’ fading sway 20:51

11d ago20:51

20:51

A handful of Republican leaders have been denouncing Donald Trump since his first presidential campaign. Will the voices of those who remain be heeded this time around? China’s attempt to fix its pensions by raising the retirement age will create a different problem with childcare (7:40). And the seemingly bottomless market for pet-pampering (14:21…

1
Bulls’ AI: funding artificial intelligence 25:04

12d ago25:04

25:04

Artificial Intelligence has gained ground so fast that OpenAI, the firm powering ChatGPT, is changing Silicon Valley’s investment model and how it innovates. Why the global nuclear order may be in peril (10:24). And an alternative type of electoral forecasting is gaining ground: political astrology (19:02). Listen to what matters most, from global …