<p>Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the focus of the war in Iran. The options available point to an <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/03/15/the-iran-war-may-be-about-to-escalate?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">acute risk</a> of a broadening regional conflict. China is making great strides in building <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2026/02/18/chinas-humanoids-are-dazzling-the-world-who-will-buy-them?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">humanoid robots</a>—but so far they are more about entertainment than utility. And a look at the science to help you get <a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/01/23/how-to-get-power-naps-right?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">power naps</a> right.</p><br><p>Guests and hosts:</p><ul><li>Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent</li><li>Don Weinland, China business and finance editor</li><li>Harry Taunton, audience editor</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 war, Strait of Hormuz, Middle East&nbsp;</li><li>China, humanoid robots</li><li>power naps, wellness</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Get a world of insights by </em><a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>subscribing to Economist Podcasts+</em></a><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>