NATO’s dialogues: America’s (next) threat to go

Economic support, drone capability, defence under new management: the tide may have turned for Ukraine. But domestic politics and perceptions will define what kind of win the country might hope for. We examine how Home Depot, the world’s largest DIY chain, is a window into America’s ailing housing market. And what is pinching the supply of England’s famed cricket bats.  Guests and host: Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondentVinjeru Mkandawire, news editorAndrew Rummer, Britain contributorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Ukraine warAmerica’s housing market, Home Depotcricket bats, supply chains 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More mixed messages from President Donald Trump and air strikes that seem to violate the ceasefire: all that is remotely in prospect is a deal to keep on dealmaking. China’s “superapps” are pioneering the use of agentic AI—with some odd outcomes. And the curious reason that grouse harm themselves on ski lifts (and how to save them).  Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentDon Weinland, China business and finance editorMatt Kaplan, science correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Iran war, diplomacyChina, business, agentic AIbirds, science 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do we mean by a “good book”? Some people choose a holiday read that demands time and attention. Others pick rip-roaring novels that require little thought. Our bookworms discuss whether art has to be improving to be praiseworthy, and give genre fiction some much-needed air time.  This is a full list of the books mentioned in the show: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen “Red Rising” by Pierce Brown Jack Reacher series by Lee Child “The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy “Riders” and the other Rutshire chronicles by Jilly Cooper Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman “Middlemarch” by George Eliot “Ulysses” by James Joyce “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel “The Diamond Age” by Neal Stephenson The Murderbot series by Martha Wells  “The Martian” by Andy Weir “American Wife” by Curtis Sittenfeld Guests and host: Catherine Nixey, culture and Britain correspondentTom Standage, Economist deputy editorAlexandra Suich Bass, culture editorAlex Hern, AI writerRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Fiction, romance, sci-fi, crime, thrillers, fantasy, romantasyJane Austen, Jilly Cooper, Curtis Sittenfeld, Lee ChildMatt Dinniman, Pierce Brown, Neal Stephenson 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk has launched the largest stockmarket listing in history. The accompanying space mission remains grounded. Our correspondent weighs SpaceX’s extraordinary ambitions. The Republican party trades on its masculine image, but some young men are turning away. And, after a blind tasting 50 years ago unleashed a new wave of wine drinking, the market is drying out. Watch extended clips from Insider here Guests and host: Tim Cross, senior science writerRobert Guest, Economist deputy editorAlexandra Suich Bass, culture editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The intelligence” Topics covered:  SpaceX, Starlink, XAI, Elon MuskDonald Trump, Republicans, masculinityWine, Judgement of Paris 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Within the space of a week Chinese president Xi Jinping has welcomed both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Beijing. Our correspondent explains the significance of these consecutive meetings. How the Premier League got its kick – and became one of Britain’s most successful businesses. And, some relax on holiday, others relish adrenaline-fuelled activities. Guests and host: Jeremy Page, chief China correspondentSonny Loughran, Britain writerCaitlin Talbot, culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence” Topics covered:  Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Donald TrumpPremier League, football, soccerAdrenaline holidays, darecations 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.