The Weekend Intelligence: Don't Panic! (But be prepared)

看懂英国备战现状

The Intelligence from The Economist

2026-05-09

41 分钟
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In February The Weekend Intelligence reported from Lithuania where civilian society is gearing up to defend itself from attacks across the border; The Economist's Tim Judah, who has recently come back from a reporting trip in Ukraine, has seen first hand what happens to a nation at war.  Returning to London he went in search of what plans the UK government has for Britain's civil defence, if and when the time comes. What he found was hardly reassuring.  Topics covered: Civil DefenceBritainDisaster relief Lithuania ep: https://shows.acast.com/theintelligencepodcast/episodes/the-weekend-intelligence-how-to-prepare-for-an-invasion  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. Music by bluedot Sessions and Epidemic Sound. This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.
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  • The Economist.

  • You probably remember our February episode, when we travelled to Lithuania.

  • We were astonished to find just how much was going on to prepare for a possible Russian invasion.

  • Real grassroots stuff.

  • Each and every household, every citizen, thinking about survival rations and trauma care.

  • The women in the room are quiet and focused.

  • Vida hands out black tourniquets fastened with Velcro.

  • She tells everyone it's necessary to tie them as fast as possible

  • to prevent the victim from bleeding out.

  • The woman sitting next to me fastens hers quickly and shows me her handiwork.

  • Recently, my colleague Tim Judah has been on a reporting trip to Ukraine,

  • a country that's already had to deal with a Russian invasion.

  • It got him thinking about what kind of planning was going on back home in London.

  • How ready is the British government?

  • Dear listener, what he didn't hear will shock you.

  • While it's clear to me that the government has no shortage of experts advising them on what to do,

  • what's much less clear is whether they're acting on their suggestions.

  • I'm Jason Palmer and this is The Weekend Intelligence.

  • You kind of expect some security plans to be secret, to be hard to pin down.

  • But this civil defence stuff, it really only has value