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The Intelligence from The Economist

Exit stages left: America and the Middle East

The Intelligence from The Economist

The Economist

Daily News, Global News, News

4.53.7K Ratings

🗓️ 4 March 2021

⏱️ ? minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Biden administration would like to pull back from the region; America’s strategic interests have changed, as have regional dynamics. We examine the careful exit that is possible. To evade censors China’s cinephiles often turn to pirated versions of foreign films, but the volunteers who subtitle them are under increasing pressure. And researchers make a connection with the dream world. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

0:07.0

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

0:09.0

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

0:17.0

Movie lovers in China know that fickle government sensors are hacking away at imported films.

0:23.0

So many turn to pirate sites, where movies are subtitled by armies of volunteers.

0:29.0

But now authorities are cracking down on the sites and the sub-titlers.

0:34.0

And researchers understand that dreams play an important role in how people form lasting memories.

0:40.0

But that is about all they understand.

0:43.0

Problem is, they can't ask someone who's dreaming what's going on.

0:47.0

Until now.

0:49.0

First up though.

0:56.0

In Turkey today, the trial is resuming of 26 people accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

1:05.0

In London, one of Mr. Khashoggi's friends who's been in touch with his fiancee says they're trying to stay positive in spite of the grim rumors.

1:13.0

It's more than two years since the veteran Saudi journalist was suffocated in his country's consulate in Istanbul.

1:20.0

His body saw an interpieces by a squad of assassins flown in on private jets.

1:25.0

After fortnight of denials, Saudi Arabia has admitted that the missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi died during his visit to the country's consulate in his country.

1:34.0

The trial will be of little consequence, none of the suspects is in Turkish custody.

1:39.0

And it poses little threat to Muhammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's crown prince and de facto ruler, who many believe to be ultimately responsible.

1:48.0

America's reaction to the grizzly murder is a window into how the country thinks about dealing with its historical ally, and the power dynamics in a region driven by religious divides and proxy wars.

2:00.0

The Trump administration held back a report on Mr. Khashoggi's murder, a report that the Biden administration published last week, concluding that the crown prince approved the operation.

2:12.0

Despite imposing sanctions on some Saudis, Mr. Biden didn't impose any on Prince Muhammad.

2:18.0

America's president now must figure out how to navigate the country's relationship with Saudi Arabia and with the region as a whole.

...

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