Shipping forecast: will America’s blockade work?

About this episode

<p>After the failure of talks at the weekend, America is now <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/04/13/donald-trumps-blockade-of-hormuz-is-a-dangerous-gamble?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">stopping all ships</a> from using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Our correspondent analyses the rationale. <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/04/09/burkina-fasos-government-is-committing-war-crimes?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">Burkina Faso</a>’s government is committing war crimes. And which type of <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/03/19/which-is-the-best-sparkling-water?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">fizzy water</a> tastes best?</p><p>Vote for “The Economist” in the Webby Awards: “<a href="https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/individual-episode/history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Last Boat</a>” podcast and Lane Greene on <a href="https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/video-film/series-channels/animation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">languages</a></p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Shashank Joshi, defence editor</li><li>Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent</li><li>Jon Fasman, senior culture writer</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: </p><ul><li>America, Iran, blockade, Strait of Hormuz, oil</li><li>Burkina Faso, Sahel, jihad, Ibrahim Traoré</li><li>Sparkling water, fizzy drinks, alcohol</li></ul><p><br></p><br><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>