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

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.

Music by bluedot Sessions and Epidemic Sound.

This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com.

Read more about how we are using AI.

The decision of Anthropic, an AI giant, to keep its Mythos model sequestered surely makes for good press. But there seems to be more to it than that—and it might change the whole industry’s model. Indian politicians are chasing female voters more than ever; we question the means and the outcomes. And next in our World Cup contender-country profiles: Senegal.

Guests and host:

• Alex Hern, AI writer
• Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• AI, Anthropic, Mythos
• India, women, politics
• World Cup, Senegal

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.

Tim Cook is stepping down after overseeing 15 years of spectacular growth. We take a look at his successor. Japan’s rural women are disproportionately heading to cities, and their home towns are working hard to lure them back. And a historical examination of boredom, and why Britons have perhaps less of it than they should.

Guests and host:

• Tom Lee-Devlin, business editor
• Moeka Iida, Japan reporter
• Catherine Nixey, culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Apple, technology, CEO, John Ternus
• Japan, demographics
• Britain, boredom

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.

This week’s peace talks are endangered after American forces fired on and boarded a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. We visit Chernobyl’s ruined reactor to assess the damage done by a Russian drone to its enormous safety structure. The likes of McDonald’s and KFC have long been in China’s cities; now they are expanding at pace in the countryside.

Guests and host:

• Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
• Sarah Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The Intelligence”
• Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Iran war, Strait of Hormuz
• Chernobyl, Ukraine war
• China, fast food

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.

When America seized Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro in January, it left the rest of his regime intact. Three months on, our correspondent finds optimism and some loosening of repression. Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado fled to America, now she explains her ambitions for the country. And celebrating the life of Nick Pope, who spent decades investigating UFOs.

Guests and host:

• Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Venezuela, oil, Maduro, Trump
• María Corina Machado, elections
• Nick Pope, UFOs, aliens, NASA

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.

After six weeks of Israel’s offensive against Hizbullah, Lebanon’s president and Israel’s prime minister are due to talk today. What can they achieve? Britain’s “triple lock” pensions are unsustainable. And Uzbekistan’s footballers prepare for the World Cup.

Vote for The Economist at the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast, TikTok channel and language series.

Guests and host:

• Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
• Josh Roberts, capital markets correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, Netanyahu
• State pension, Britain, triple lock, inflation
• World Cup, Uzbekistan

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.

The Iran conflict and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz are slowing supply not just of fuel, but food and fertiliser. Geophysics could worsen the approaching hunger crisis: an El Niño weather event is predicted for this year. Anti-conversion laws are resulting in horrific scenes at Christian burial sites in India. And why Britain’s vets are struggling.

Guests and host:

• Catherine Brahic, environment editor
• Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
• Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
• Carla Subirana, news desk editor
• Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Iran conflict, oil, food crisis, fertilisers, El Niño
• India, Hindu nationalism, Christian conversions, Modi
• Britain, pets, vets

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.

After the failure of talks at the weekend, America is now stopping all ships from using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Our correspondent analyses the rationale. Burkina Faso’s government is committing war crimes. And which type of fizzy water tastes best?

Vote for “The Economist” in the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast and Lane Greene on languages

Guests and host:

• Shashank Joshi, defence editor
• Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent
• Jon Fasman, senior culture writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• America, Iran, blockade, Strait of Hormuz, oil
• Burkina Faso, Sahel, jihad, Ibrahim Traoré
• Sparkling water, fizzy drinks, alcohol

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.