The Intelligence from The Economist

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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