As the Ukraine conflict grinds into its fifth month, host Anne McElvoy and Shashank Joshi, The Economist’s defence editor, ask Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Britain’s chief of the defence staff, how Ukraine can win as Russia wages a long war of attrition. The head of the UK’s armed forces assesses the strengths of the Russian army and how western militaries are meeting that challenge. Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio...

After days of mounting pressure–sparked by a scandal involving his deputy chief whip–Britain’s prime minister quit as Conservative Party leader. The scandal is one of many that plagued his leadership, but the problems facing the Tories run far deeper. Host Anne McElvoy asks The Economist’s Andrew Palmer and Soumaya Keynes what brought the curtain down on Mr Johnson and what problems await his successor. Plus, Charles Powell, Margaret Thatcher’s closest adviser, assesses the similarities...

Twenty-five years ago, Britain returned Hong Kong to China. The handover was based on a promise the city would retain its high degree of autonomy. That pledge now lies in tatters.  Host Anne McElvoy asks Chris Patten, the last colonial governor, why Hong Kong’s nascent democracy was thwarted. Sue-Lin Wong, The Economist’s China correspondent, tells Anne how China tightened its grip on Hong Kong. And, exiled activist Nathan Law ponders the future of the pro-democracy movement.  Please...

Consumer prices across the rich world are rising by more than 9% year on year, the highest rate since the 1980s. Paul Krugman, the Nobel prize-winning economist, talks to host Anne McElvoy and Henry Curr, The Economist’s economics editor, about how governments and central banks should respond. We also ask if a recession can be avoided, and whether the era of big government spending is over. Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio...

The US Senate has reached a bipartisan gun-reform agreement that, if passed into law, could be the most significant in 30 years. Guest host Jon Fasman speaks to Chris Murphy, the Connecticut senator who led the negotiations for the Democrats, about the significance of the deal and why a compromise has been so elusive in the past. The senator, who has spent ten years trying to enact a change in gun laws, explains why he thinks even modest reforms will make America safer.  Please subscribe to...

When chef Alice Waters opened her restaurant Chez Panisse, she sparked a food revolution in America. She talks to guest host Jon Fasman about leading the Slow Food movement and fighting against fast-food culture. In her latest book, “We Are What We Eat”, she argues for a fairer and more sustainable food system. But how can that be achieved in practice? And, would she ever put lab-grown fish on her menu? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio...

Since reunification, Germany has sought stable relations with Russia. That changed with Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. But is this Zeitenwende (“turning point”) really a new era for Europe’s powerhouse? Anne McElvoy asks John Lough, former NATO strategist, why risk-averse chancellors turned a blind eye to the Kremlin. Anne visits the mothballed Nord Stream 2 pipeline with Alexander Drost, from the University of Greifswald. And Anna Luhrmann, Germany’s Europe and climate minister,...

This week the global elite gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum against a backdrop of rising commodity prices, soaring inflation and conflict in Europe. Host Anne McElvoy assesses the economic fallout with Patrick Foulis, The Economist’s business affairs editor, and our finance and economics editor, Rachana Shanbhogue. Anne also talks to Adena Friedman, CEO of the Nasdaq stock exchange, to gauge the outlook for the markets. Plus, historian Adam Tooze on the changing economic world...

The war in Ukraine has put the organisation’s founding principles and its authority on the line. Anne McElvoy asks Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States ambassador to the UN, how the Security Council can function in a time of division. Is the sharing of military intelligence by America an act of war? Plus, the ambassador discusses her solutions to the looming food security crisis.  Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio...

For 50 years, women in America have had a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy. Now, a leaked draft opinion suggests that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v Wade. Anne McElvoy asks Mary Ziegler, a legal historian, about the origins of the landmark legislation and what would happen if Roe is cast aside. Plus, does the Supreme Court need reforming? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See...

In ten weeks of conflict Vladimir Putin has not been afraid to rattle the nuclear sabre. Western leaders have responded by tempering their own rhetoric – but the risk of nuclear war is greater than it has been for more than half a century. Anne McElvoy asks Rose Gottemoeller, a former deputy secretary-general at NATO, whether Russia will launch nuclear weapons and, if it did, what the West should do. And, has NATO proved its worth? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print,...

Evidence of Russian war crimes litters the landscape of Ukraine. But it’s a long trudge from the battlefields to the courtroom. Anne McElvoy asks Oona Hathaway, an expert on law and warfare and a professor at Yale University, whether the perpetrators will be held accountable. Could Vladimir Putin and others be prosecuted by a Nuremberg-style tribunal? Plus, should America join the International Criminal Court? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio...

The war in Ukraine has driven Finland and Sweden to rethink their long-held position on neutrality. Anne McElvoy asks the former Swedish prime minister whether the two countries will join Nato. Will membership bring stability and security to Europe and how should the Nordic neighbours manage their relations with Russia? Plus, he relives the history lesson he received from the former German chancellor Helmut Kohl.  Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio...

President Joe Biden began his presidency wanting “stable and predictable” relations with Russia. As war in Ukraine rages on, Anne McElvoy asks Senator Bob Menendez how it will test US foreign policy. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee discusses the potency of sanctions and measures anti-Nato sentiment in Congress. Plus, how should President Biden handle the bond between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and...

Host Anne McElvoy asks the prime minister of Lithuania if today’s Russia threatens the Baltic states – and how does she assess the strengths and weaknesses of Nato’s defence? Her country took the step to ban Russian gas, but will the rest of the European Union follow suit? Plus, why does she think it’s “delusional” to assume diplomacy works with Vladimir Putin? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See...

At his headquarters in Kyiv, Ukraine’s president tells Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief, and Russia editor Arkady Ostrovsky why his country must defeat Vladimir Putin. He explains how people power is the secret to Ukrainian resistance and urges international partners to send in more military equipment. Plus, what does a Ukrainian victory look like? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: www.economist.com/podcastoffer...

As the war in Ukraine enters its second month, Nato and European leaders have pledged to send in more weapons and to ramp up sanctions against Russia. But is it enough? Anne McElvoy assesses the strength of those promises with Marie Yovanovitch, a former US ambassador to Ukraine. Plus, Edward Carr, The Economist’s deputy editor, discusses which diplomatic strains are yet to test Western unity. Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio...

Host Anne McElvoy asks the former Russian foreign minister how war in Ukraine will change Vladimir Putin’s standing at home and abroad. They discuss the remarkable acts of dissent happening around Russia and what methods Western leaders should use to negotiate with Mr Putin. Plus, what are the chances for democracy returning to Russia?  Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See acast.com/privacy for privacy...

Amid the war in Ukraine and a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the Nobel peace-prize laureate urges more progress in equal access to education. She tells The Economist’s editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes how keeping girls in school can benefit economies and societies. And, how has the pandemic affected the gender gap? Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

As the war in Ukraine enters a bloodier phase, Anne McElvoy assesses what moves the Russian president will make. She asks General Sir Nick Carter, the former chief of Britain’s defence staff, how urban warfare could shape the conflict and how Nato’s strategy might evolve. Plus, leading Russia expert Fiona Hill provides insight into the psyche of the Kremlin strongman and what would persuade him to call a ceasefire.  Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and...

Russian tanks have poured into Ukraine in what is all-out war. Host Anne McElvoy asks The Economist's editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes, defence editor Shashank Joshi and business affairs editor Patrick Foulis whether Ukraine's defensive capabilities can withstand Russian forces, and we assess Vladimir Putin's endgame. Also, we analyse the financial fallout of war and the effectiveness of Western-imposed sanctions. Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and...

The Democratic congressman for Silicon Valley represents a district home to tech industry titans. Anne McElvoy asks him how their power can be checked. Can Capitol Hill regulate online hate speech without impinging on free speech? Plus, how does the deputy whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus see his wing’s relationship with the rest of the party?   Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See...

As the Republican Party prepares for crucial mid-term elections in November, host Anne McElvoy asks Senator Tim Scott what the GOP now stands for as it deals with the fallout from the 2020 election. The party’s only African-American senator discusses racial discrimination, police reform and Donald Trump’s chances.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Host Anne McElvoy assesses Moscow’s readiness for conflict and Kyiv’s defensive capabilities with Oleksander Danylyuk, Ukraine’s former national security chief. And Anne asks Shashank Joshi, the Economist’s defence editor, and Arkady Ostrovsky, our Russia editor,  what war would mean for the world and if diplomacy could end the tensions. Plus, our culture editor Andrew Miller takes a longer view of Ukrainian independence movements.  Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to...

As awards season gets underway, Anne McElvoy asks the Oscar-nominated actor and filmmaker how streaming platforms will change cinema. The director of “The Lost Daughter” reveals why she chose to adapt Elena Ferrante’s novel and what drew her to the messy mothers at the centre of the story. Plus, has she spoken to the famously enigmatic Italian writer?   Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See...