<p>After a <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2026/03/05/how-the-latest-regional-conflict-is-reshaping-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">momentous week</a>, our editors reflect on how uncertainty about the goals of the <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/03/05/donald-trump-must-stop-soon?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">war in Iran</a> will affect its course. Iran’s retaliation has been fierce and wide ranging. How long can Gulf stocks of <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/03/03/are-gulf-states-running-out-of-missile-interceptors?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">missile interceptors</a> last? And our obituaries editor looks back at the life of Iran’s supreme leader <a href="https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/03/03/ali-khamenei-hoped-his-legacy-might-last-for-ever?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">Ali Khamenei</a>.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor&nbsp;</li><li>Josie Delap, Middle East editor</li><li>Shashank Joshi, defence editor</li><li>Ann Wroe, obituaries editor</li><li>Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Iran, Donald Trump, third Gulf war, war goals</li><li>Interceptor missiles, military strategy</li><li>Ali Khamenei&nbsp;</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>