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June 05, 2026

Sir Alex Younger, the longest-serving head of MI6, has died aged 62. In one of his final interviews before his death, he spoke to The Economist’s defence editor, Shashank Joshi. Sir Alex reflected on the challenges facing a spy today and the future of Britain’s secret service. Click the link in our bio to watch the full show.

June 04, 2026

In a recent poll 43% of Brazilian respondents said voting machines cannot be trusted. In a survey by the same firm in 2022, only 22% said they had no confidence in the machines. It was in 2022 that Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing populist who lost his campaign for re-election as president, flooded the internet with falsehoods about the machines. Distrust in the electoral system has been driven by polarisation and online misinformation, not by proven fraud. But tap the link in our bio to learn why openness and advanced cryptography have their limits. Photo: Getty Images

June 04, 2026

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, France and Germany spent roughly the same amount on defence. By 2029 Germany’s defence budget is expected to swell to at least €150bn ($174bn)—roughly double France’s. For European security, German rearmament is plainly welcome. But tap the link in our bio to learn why in Paris the prospect also prompts discomfort. Photo: AP