Let me get this strait: the Iran-war escalation risk
The Intelligence from The Economist
The Economist
4.5 • 3.7K Ratings
🗓️ 16 March 2026
⏱️ 23 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the focus of the war in Iran. The options available point to an acute risk of a broadening regional conflict. China is making great strides in building humanoid robots—but so far they are more about entertainment than utility. And a look at the science to help you get power naps right.
Guests and hosts:
- Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
- Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
- Harry Taunton, audience editor
- Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
- Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
- Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, Middle East
- China, humanoid robots
- power naps, wellness
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Economist. |
| 0:10.3 | Hello and welcome to the intelligence from The Economist. |
| 0:13.5 | I'm Jason Palmer. |
| 0:14.7 | And I'm Rosie Bloor. |
| 0:16.1 | Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world. |
| 0:25.1 | In the realm of humanoid robots, China seems to be making huge progress. They're even |
| 0:30.5 | showing up at state-sponsored events. The question is whether they can get past the bit of fun |
| 0:35.8 | stage and into the real-world jobs they should be suited to do. |
| 0:40.3 | And the power nap has always remained a little elusive to me. |
| 0:45.3 | How long, how useful, and if you're in the office, where to do it. |
| 0:50.3 | Today, our correspondent guides us gently through the art and science of the daytime sleep. |
| 1:01.6 | First up, though. |
| 1:13.2 | Donald Trump needs a hand. |
| 1:19.0 | As America and Israel continue bombing hundreds of Iranian targets, Iran is firing back, |
| 1:23.0 | at Israel and at Gulf states, targets, military, and civilian. |
| 1:26.2 | But the real focus isn't what's on land. |
| 1:32.1 | It's on the water of a narrow strait, through which about 15% of the world's oil is shipped, |
| 1:36.5 | or was, until Iran's threats caused a de facto closure. |
| 1:40.2 | Mr. Trump wants badly to open it back up. |
| 1:43.6 | He says he's in talks with several unnamed governments about help with naval escorts through |
| 1:45.3 | the strait. Those who are saying anything, like Australia and Japan, are saying, nope, not us. |
| 1:52.5 | In one of his signature pronouncements, both vague and sinister, Mr. Trump most recently said it would |
... |
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