
9: Life and fate
Our series on Russia’s war returns for a bonus episode after it cost the life of Putin’s most prominent opponent
A year on from our last episode, Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, is dead. Hope for the “beautiful Russia of the future” he imagined from his prison cell in Siberia is all but extinguished. How are the Russians who oppose Vladimir Putin’s war enduring these dark times?
Runtime: 53:05
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.
For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Podcast transcripts are available upon request at [email protected]. We are committed to improving accessibility even further and are exploring new ways to expand our podcast transcript offering.

The Intelligence
The global asylum system is broken—this is how to fix it
Also on the daily podcast: the rise of superstar coders and a free London performance puts a spotlight on modern fame
21:49

Editor’s Picks
The delusions plagueing Britain’s warming summers
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist
08:02

Babbage
Scientists are using AI to invent proteins from scratch
Our podcast on science and technology. Scientists can design and make novel proteins. One day they may even be able to build entire genomes.
38:17
The Intelligence
Another delay of hostilities in Trump’s global trade war
Also on the daily podcast: Brazil’s broken football machine and England falls out of love with its lawns
21:53
Editor’s Picks
An insight into Jeff Bezos’s approach to life
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist
07:12
Drum Tower
China is closing the gap with America in high-tech weaponry
Our weekly podcast on China. This week, we examine the role Chinese weapons played in the recent India-Pakistan conflict—and what it means for the future of warfare
43:56