The Inside Brief

In this episode of The Inside Brief, Manus Cranny sits down with Helima Croft, RBC Capital Markets' managing director and global head of commodity strategy, and a former CIA economic analyst, for a rare, deeply informed conversation on geopolitics, oil markets and leadership. Ms Croft decodes the Opec+ pause and Saudi oil strategy, offering a grounded forecast for 2026 oil prices under different policy paths, and explores what renewed attention on Venezuela, Guyana and US shale could mean for global supply. She assesses the tightening grip of US sanctions on Russian exports, the shifting stance on Ukrainian strikes and the complex endgame Russia's President Vladimir Putin may seek in Europe. Reflecting on her time at the CIA, Ms Croft reveals what she learnt from briefing US presidents and how analytic discipline shapes her scenario work on Wall Street. The conversation also explores the realities of balancing high-pressure careers with family while mentoring the next generation.

In this episode of The Inside Brief, Manus Cranny sits down at Emirates headquarters with company president Sir Tim Clark for a candid conversation about growth, negotiation, and the future of global aviation. Sir Tim traces Emirates from its 1985 regional beginnings to a 270-aircraft super-connector that now contributes meaningfully to Dubai’s economy and identity. The conversation turns to supply constraints and the delayed Boeing 777x. Sir Tim says Emirates had planned to take delivery of the new aircraft this year, but now faces uncertainty that will run into 2027. He also reflects on the enduring value of the A380 and laments a cooler appetite among manufacturers and boards for bold, large-gauge innovation, citing two decades of industry trauma and risk aversion. On demand and pricing, Sir Clark discusses the structural shift that has taken place since the pandemic, with higher yields and travellers flying more often. The episode closes on leadership. Giving his advice on the art of negotiating, he says: “Prepare thoroughly, anticipate the other side’s position, stay calm, be firm and fair, and always cut through the froth to the real issues.” Asked about his legacy, Sir Clark says he wants the next generation of Emirates leaders to inherit a clear path for the next 15 to 20 years, with fleets, networks, products and the new hub laid out. He would urge them to stay focused on the model that made the company successful. The Inside Brief with Manus Cranny is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other major platforms.

In this episode of The Inside Brief, host Manus Cranny sits down with Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media, one of the UK’s largest independent TV, film, and distribution groups. Acquired by RedBird IMI in 2024, All3Media has become a creative powerhouse behind global successes including The Traitors, Life on Our Planet, and Squid Game: The Challenge. From the company’s London headquarters to its global footprint across the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Jane shares her perspective on storytelling in a borderless media world and the rising opportunities for creative collaboration across the UAE and the Gulf. She discusses how high-quality content, trust, and talent remain at the core of success, even as the industry adapts to new platforms, AI technology, and changing viewer behaviour. The conversation explores the evolution of streaming, the enduring value of linear television, and the strategic impact of social media on content distribution. Jane also reflects on leadership, the art of empowering creative teams, and the delicate balance between innovation and creative integrity in an AI-driven world.

In this episode of The Inside Brief, host Manus Cranny welcomes Anthony Scaramucci, the founder of SkyBridge Capital, former White House communications director, and now the host of The Rest Is Politics US. Known for his unfiltered views on markets, politics and the US's reputation on the global stage, Scaramucci calls Bitcoin a “phenomenal asset” and unpacks the correction he attributes to “whale selling”. From there, the discussion widens to the US's leadership and global reputation, as he reflects on how Donald Trump has “hurt America’s reputation” abroad and on what it will take to restore international trust in the United States. Manus and Anthony move beyond politics into the deeper questions of economic identity and social change, talking about the erosion of the American dream and the pressures on the middle class. The discussion also turns to capital flows and leadership in the Gulf. Scaramucci describes why he remains bullish on the region, noting its discipline and growth even as oil prices tighten. The Inside Brief with Manus Cranny is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major platforms.

In the opening episode of The National's video-first podcast The Inside Brief, host Manus Cranny sits down with Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, to discuss the emirate’s ambition to create the world’s most advanced aviation hub. From managing 95 million passengers a year to planning a move to a new airport capable of handling 260 million a year by 2050, Griffiths shares how vision, technology and precision planning drive Dubai’s global connectivity. He explains why aviation must remain affordable, how biometrics will transform the experience of passengers and what it takes to move the world’s busiest international airport 40km south without stopping operations. Griffiths also reflects on his leadership over 18 years, his single KPI to never constrain Dubai’s aviation growth, and the lessons learnt through global crises. Griffiths also opens up about his lifelong passions for music and engineering, his vast collection of motorcycles and cars, and the discipline that shapes his artistry and his leadership. The Inside Brief with Manus Cranny is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major platforms.

As global capital flows intensify across the Middle East and transformative sectors take shape, The National introduces The Inside Brief, a video-first podcast hosted by Manus Cranny to explore the people driving this dynamic growth. In this new podcast, Manus sits down with regional and global CEOs, risk takers and policymakers, and the people who shape industries, move markets and define investment flows in the region. Each episode promises to deliver candid and compelling conversations to offer insight into what’s really happening in the Gulf’s evolving economic landscape. Manus Cranny is the Geo‑Economics Editor of The National, and brings over 30 years of experience in global markets, finance and media. Before taking on his current role, he anchored flagship morning news programmes at Bloomberg TV and CNBC from New York, London and Dubai. Now back in Abu Dhabi, Manus brings his signature no-fluff style to The Inside Brief. Watch and listen to The Inside Brief with Manus Cranny on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcasting platforms.