The mourning show: the politics of Khamenei’s funeral

About this episode

<p>The Iranian regime hopes the massive crowds gathered for <a href="https://www.economist.com/interactive/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/03/irans-regime-hopes-khameneis-funeral-will-demonstrate-its-strength?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">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>’s funeral will demonstrate its strength. Our correspondent says they could also reveal its weakness. Why Japan wants to change its <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/06/11/japan-is-rethinking-its-divorce-laws?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">divorce laws</a> and custody arrangements. And the first part of our week-long road trip down America’s iconic <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/route-66-how-a-century-old-highway-helps-explain-america?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">Route 66</a>. </p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondent</li><li>Moeka Iida, East Asia correspondent</li><li>Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><p><br></p><ul><li>Ayatollah, Khamenei, Iran, Supreme Leader</li><li>Japan, divorce, custody</li><li>Route 66, Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath </li></ul><p><br></p><p>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribe to <em>The Economist</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>