The Intelligence from The Economist

As Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader, meets with President Donald Trump, we talk through our exclusive polling on what the country wants for its future. Childhood in the age of AI promises to be bespoke and personalised—and perhaps also lonely and atomised. And on America’s National Bagel Day, our correspondent explores the foodstuff’s murky history.

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More inflation numbers, more jabs by President Donald Trump at Jay Powell, the Federal Reserve chairman. We ask what the Fed is doing, should be doing and is being pressured to do. Six years after the official Brexit divorce, we count the costs and ask what making-up is now possible. And how self-help books reveal the anxieties of their times.

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From Argentinian beef to German cars, a freshly inked deal between the EU and a bloc of South American countries should ease trade barriers—and is a sign of global trade’s topsy-turvy time. Foreigner-bashing is politically fashionable in Japan, but focuses on the wrong problems. And a look at Parkrun, a free weekly event that has unwittingly made many Britons healthier.

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Each country fears an attack from the other: Iran may wish to distract from internal conflict, Israel to exploit it. In an interview with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu we explore perspectives on the war-gaming. As the first cohort of graduates weaned on generative AI enters the workforce, we examine a changing career ladder. And why European pension systems badly need reform.

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Demonstrations are growing once again—but this time the message is notably different, and the regime has little means available to calm tensions. Where will it end? Our World Ahead series lays out what to expect this year in China’s dealings with Taiwan, Japan and beyond. And a tribute to Nino Loureiro, a pioneering fusion physicist slain by a former classmate.  

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It had real dramatic elements: a (slow) chase scene, faked locations, a literal false flag, a daring helicopter descent. But what is the broader picture of America’s bid to disrupt the Venezuelan-oil network? And how will the expanding oil saga affect an already weakened regime in Cuba? Also, we ask whether Hispanic football fans might avoid the World Cup in America.

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We return to the Los Angeles suburbs that were consumed by wildfires a year ago. The varying rebuilding efforts reveal divides in wealth, but also strains in California’s insurance industry. Never mind the AI job apocalypse, if it comes: the technology will create plenty of new roles, too. And why “peak wine” may be a good thing for sippers of the fine kind.

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The countries have a decades-long relationship—debt freely given in one direction and plenty of oil sold in the other. Yet America’s intervention has served as a reality check on China’s power in Venezuela and elsewhere. Our World Ahead series examines the risks to the American dollar as global reserve currency. And pricey handbags ain’t built like they used to be.

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America’s National Security Strategy, released a month ago, suggested the administration’s focus was on dominance of the western hemisphere. But no one expected its first move would be a special-forces raid to depose President Nicolás Maduro. What is next comes with grave risks. And the video-games business wants to escape its rut by finding whole new markets—geographically and demographically.

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Property wealth in China turbo-charged investment in art. Now house prices have crashed, art sales may follow. Are Britons really leaving the country in droves? And our obituaries editor on the death of the American cent coin.

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The editor of our annual “World Ahead” publication predicts the themes and events that will dominate the headlines in 2026, from geopolitics to tech. He also admits what we got wrong last year. And The Economist launched its first podcast 20 years ago. We chart the evolution of audio, from a basement broom cupboard to today’s bountiful offerings.

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Today’s show is a tribute to those whose lives we remembered this year. From Pope Francis, the most open-minded pontiff for decades, and controversial vice-president Dick Cheney, to champ of the chimpanzees Jane Goodall, bubblegum pop star Brian Wilson and Alice Tan Ridley, a New York subway busker who became a superstar.  

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Announcing the return of The Economist’s annual ranking for best performing economy. Are you ready for the big reveal? Dalit cuisine is barely visible, in India or beyond. And why London’s river boats are making a comeback. 

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Five years after seizing power in a coup, the military junta in Myanmar is holding an election. Yet all credible opposition has been banned. And war has inspired so many films over the past century. Our correspondents battle it out to pick the best one. 

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So many books are published each year; few stand the test of time. Today we devote our whole show to asking which works have shaped the way we behave and how we think. Picks include “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth and “Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien.

Full list of books mentioned in the show:

The Bible

The Koran

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen 

“The Hu...

Join our editors and correspondents in a gripping test of recall and reflexes. There are questions on business and politics of course—but also news noises to identify, one saucy limerick and quotes from “The Real Housewives” franchise that frankly no one expected. Which team will take the trophy?

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Recessions are, in their way, bad news. But so, paradoxically, is a lasting dearth of them. We explain the dangers that lie beneath the current run of continuous growth. Our correspondent looks into the hidden economics of online reviews, and whether to trust them. And a turkey-industry exposé that you’ll just gobble up. 

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In a world of infinite content, who wins and who loses? Our correspondent explains what the proliferation of AI-generated art means for human artists. What the prevalence of male-female friendships tell us about a society. And why you should propose with a yellow-gold ring.  

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Each year, The Economist tries to identify which country has improved the most, whether economically, politically or in other ways. In a turbulent year, the choice was tricky. We unveil the result. And The Economist Educational Foundation helps kids worldwide be more news-savvy. We invite you to donate and support its work: https://economistfoundation.org/donate/.

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