Shipping forecast: will America’s blockade work?

美国封锁能否奏效

The Intelligence from The Economist

2026-04-14

20 分钟
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After the failure of talks at the weekend, America is now stopping all ships from using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Our correspondent analyses the rationale. Burkina Faso’s government is committing war crimes. And which type of fizzy water tastes best? Vote for “The Economist” in the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast and Lane Greene on languages Guests and host: Shashank Joshi, defence editorTom Gardner, Africa correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  America, Iran, blockade, Strait of Hormuz, oilBurkina Faso, Sahel, jihad, Ibrahim TraoréSparkling water, fizzy drinks, alcohol Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • The economist.

  • Hello and welcome to the intelligence from the economist.

  • I'm Jason Palmer.

  • And I'm Rosie Blaure.

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

  • We've been tracking the growing jihadist threat in the Sahel region for years.

  • It's growing fastest in Burkina Faso,

  • where the ways and means of the charismatic president's crackdown have just been labeled war crimes.

  • And if you're drinking less alcohol than you used to,

  • you may still find that at the end of the day

  • you want to kick back and have a relaxing drink of something.

  • Our correspondent finds his glass half empty and looks for an appropriate replacement.

  • But first, talks between America and Iran over the weekend

  • could have reshaped a relationship defined by almost half a century of hostility.

  • More realistically some hoped that at least they'd come up with a deal

  • to buy time and stave off a renewal of fighting.

  • Instead it ended with a three-minute press conference and no deal.

  • Though the conflict hasn't resumed yet,

  • America has now embarked on a new strategy,

  • a blockade of ships using Iranian ports and coastal areas.