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  1. Economist Podcasts
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Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Economist Podcasts · Jan 12, 2026

Israel eyes Iran's unrest cautiously, AI reshapes the workforce for 2026 grads, and Europe's pension systems face a demographic time bomb.

Graduates' Core Value Proposition is Shifting from Low-Cost Labor to AI-Native Proficiency

The class of 2026 will be the first "ChatGPT generation." Their key selling point to employers will not be their potential or affordability, but their innate ability to leverage generative AI for productivity, a skill that more senior, "AI laggard" employees may lack.

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel thumbnail

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Generative AI Will Reshape Corporate Hierarchies into "Diamond" or "Hourglass" Structures

Traditional corporate pyramids are threatened by AI. A "diamond" structure emerges if AI eliminates entry-level roles, bulging the middle. Alternatively, an "hourglass" could form if AI-native graduates bypass middle management, creating a direct link between junior and senior tiers.

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel thumbnail

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Israel Views Post-Revolution Iran as a Potential Key Ally, Recalling Pre-1979 Relations

Beyond the immediate conflict, Israeli strategists see a long-term opportunity. If the current regime falls, they hope to restore the strong alliance that existed with non-Arab Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which was based on shared regional interests.

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel thumbnail

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Iran's Internal Protests Paradoxically Elevate the Risk of It Launching an External Attack

A destabilized Iranian regime is more dangerous, not less. Israeli intelligence fears Tehran might launch a strike on a foreign enemy like Israel to distract its populace, create a "rally 'round the flag" effect, and restore military pride after recent setbacks.

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel thumbnail

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Israeli PM Netanyahu Softens Iran Rhetoric to Avoid Provoking a Miscalculated Strike

Contrary to his hawkish reputation, Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately lowering Israel's profile regarding Iran's internal protests. This strategic silence aims to prevent the embattled Iranian regime from feeling cornered and launching a preemptive attack out of paranoia.

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel thumbnail

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Europe's Pension Crisis Splits Between Funded Nordic Systems and Unfunded Southern Time Bombs

A deep divide defines Europe's pension future. Northern countries (e.g., Denmark, Netherlands) have sustainable, funded systems prepared for demographic shifts. In contrast, Southern countries (e.g., France, Spain, Italy) rely on failing "pay-as-you-go" models and faster aging, creating a fiscal crisis.

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel thumbnail

Strike fear: Iran’s protests and Israel

Economist Podcasts·a month ago