<p>The fragile ceasefire between America and Iran is threatened by an exchange of <a href="https://www.economist.com/topics/war-in-the-middle-east?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ballistic missiles</a> overnight between Iran and Israel. Our correspondent examines the consequences. China’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2026/06/03/byd-is-losing-its-spark?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BYD cars</a> are losing ground to other electric vehicles. And why hit TV shows inspire “<a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/05/14/companion-podcasts-are-the-latest-hit-format?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">companion podcasts</a>”.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent</li><li>Don Weinland, China business editor</li><li>Elizabeth Peet, researcher</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The intelligence”</li><li>Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Iran, Israel, Lebanon, ceasefire, Trump</li><li>BYD, EVs, Tesla, Xpeng, Li Auto</li><li>Podcasts, Beef, The Pitt, HBO</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a></p><br><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account. </em></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>