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  1. Economist Podcasts
  2. Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot
Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot

Economist Podcasts · Apr 7, 2026

Examining Trump's threats against Iran, AI's unexpected impact on India's IT sector, and Gen Z's embrace of 'granny core' hobbies.

Indian IT Firms Turn AI Threat into a New Consulting Revenue Stream

The fear was that AI would eliminate outsourced coding jobs. Instead, the complexity of integrating AI with legacy business systems has created a new opportunity. Indian IT firms are now being hired as consultants to reconfigure clients' operations for AI, turning a potential job-killer into a significant source of revenue.

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot thumbnail

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

Gen Z's "Grannycore" Trend is Driven by "Animoia," a Nostalgia for Unlived Eras

The rise of traditional hobbies like knitting and pottery among young people isn't just a retro fad. It's fueled by "animoia," a psychological yearning for a perceived simpler time they never experienced. In an era of digital overload, these tangible, slow-paced activities offer a therapeutic escape and a path to more grounded social connections.

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot thumbnail

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

Western Firms Shift from Outsourcing to Building In-House "Global Capability Centers" in India

Companies are moving beyond outsourcing simple tasks to Indian firms. They are now establishing their own "Global Capability Centers" (GCCs) in India to handle core business functions directly. This insourcing model allows them to retain intellectual property and technical expertise, reflecting that technology is now a core function for every company, not a bolt-on service.

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot thumbnail

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

Belligerents Claim Victory by Fighting Separate "Parallel Wars"

In modern conflicts, opposing sides can both credibly claim to be winning by focusing on different objectives and battlefields. The US and Israel target Iran's military, while Iran attacks its Gulf neighbors and the global economy. Each side wins its own war while losing the other's, creating a complex and self-perpetuating narrative of success.

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot thumbnail

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

Modern Conflicts Rapidly Deplete Irreplaceable High-Tech Military Assets

Beyond immediate costs, prolonged conflicts drain stockpiles of sophisticated and slow-to-replace military hardware. The US has lost aerial tankers and a rare E-3 AWACS radar plane, of which it has fewer than 20. This rapid consumption of critical assets has significant implications for a nation's ability to fight future wars, a cost often overlooked in strategic planning.

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot thumbnail

Over troubled waters: Trump’s bridge-and-plant plot

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago