After a momentous week, our editors reflect on how uncertainty about the goals of the war in Iran will affect its course. Iran’s retaliation has been fierce and wide ranging. How long can Gulf stocks of missile interceptors last? And our obituaries editor looks back at the life of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. 

Guests and host:

• Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor 
• Josie Delap, Middle East editor
• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran, Donald Trump, third Gulf war, war goals
• Interceptor missiles, military strategy
• Ali Khamenei 

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As America continues to batter Iran, what are the domestic implications of the war for Donald Trump? The widening conflict has prompted some European countries to deploy defensive forces. France has also announced a bigger shift in policy: to bolster its nuclear arsenal. And the politics of beer and nappies.

Guests and host:

• Adam Roberts, foreign editor
• Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
• Shera Avi-Yonah, business writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran, Donald Trump, senate, Turkey
• France, Macron, nuclear warheads, NATO
• MAGA, marketing 

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As America and Israel continue to bombard Iran, much of Iran’s retaliation is directed against energy infrastructure. With tankers blocked and oil prices rising, our correspondent discusses the impact on the global economy. Why do student debts weigh heavily on Britain’s graduates? And is line dancing really becoming sexy? 

Guests and host:

• Rachana Shanbhogue, business affairs editor
• Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Hollie Berman, news editor, US bureau  
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” 
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran, oil, gas, global economy, Dubai, Gulf, stockmarkets
• Britain, universities, student loans, tax
• Line dancing, New York, bar culture

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The war in Iran has entered its fourth day with further American and Israeli strikes, and Iranian retaliation across the region. Now Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has launched a ground offensive in Lebanon. Attacks on Tehran involved the use of Artificial Intelligence, so why is the Pentagon picking a fight with Anthropic, its supplier? And Pokémon turns 30.

Watch “The Insider” on Iran: Economist experts ask what will happen next

Guests and host:

• Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
• Henry Tricks, US technology editor
• Moeka Iida, Japan correspondent
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• War in Iran, America, Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, Middle East
• Anthropic, OpenAI, Claude, Artificial Intelligence 
• Pokemon, media

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This weekend, America and Israel launched long-anticipated attacks on Iran, killing Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader. Our correspondents analyse what his death means for the country and the strategy behind Iran’s retaliation. We report how Gulf States are dealing with unprecedented instability within their borders. And we assess Iran’s military capability and what might happen next.

Guests and host:

• Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent 
• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent 
• Gareth Browne, Middle East reporter
• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran attacks, military capability
• Ali Khamenei, succession 
• Donald Trump, foreign policy
• Gulf States, Dubai 

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Just one generation after they gained independence, people in the Baltic States are watching the threat from the Kremlin creep closer and closer. In Lithuania, the government is preparing the population to resist an invasion. 

On “The Weekend Intelligence” Katie Bryant travels to Vilnius to ask how facing up to threat is changing the nation. 

Topics covered:

Lithuania

Civil defence

Disinformation

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Music by bluedot Sessions and Epidemic Sound.

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For all the promise of transformation that artificial intelligence offers, a close look at macroeconomic data shows little change. Sit tight. A brutal attack in Nigeria reveals how the security crisis is spreading ominously. And a tribute to Virginia Oliver, who cut an unusual figure on the lobster boat she skippered for decades.

Guests and host:

• Alex Domash, economics correspondent
• Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Artificial intelligence, macroeconomics
• Nigeria, security, jihadism
• Virginia Oliver, Maine, lobsters

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As a military build-up continues in the Middle East, President Donald Trump’s messaging remains ambiguous. What could, at this stage, head off conflict? Our series on America’s 250th birthday continues with a dive into our archive on the era leading up to civil war. And a couple of recommendations for the silver and the small screen.

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Annie Crabill, senior digital editor
• Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Iran, nuclear deal, military build-up
• American history
• entertainment, “Dreams”, “Bridgerton”

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The targeting of “El Mencho”, the leader of one of the country’s two biggest gangs, has resulted in a predictable spate of violence—more of which is virtually assured. We take a rare look inside Russia to see how four years of war has changed the country. And some surprising advice on how to get your best marathon time.

Guests and host:

• Sarah Birke, Mexico City bureau chief
• Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor
• Tim Cross, senior science writer
• Ainslie Johnstone, data journalist
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Mexico, cartels, gang violence
• Russia, economy, Ukraine war
• Running, training, marathons

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On the fourth anniversary of a war that many predicted would last mere days, much has changed—even beyond the unthinkable misery in Ukraine itself. Alliances have weakened, Europe is rearming like never before and the very nature of modern war has been redefined. Our correspondents take stock and consider what kind of peace is even possible. 

Guests and host:

• Edward Carr, deputy editor
• Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• war in Ukraine, Russia, defence, diplomacy

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