War or less? Lebanon on the brink
Digest
The podcast begins with an overview of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, highlighting the growing crisis and international calls for a ceasefire. Greg Karlstrom, a Middle East correspondent for The Economist, provides insights into the recent escalation, including Israel's airstrikes and targeted assassinations. He discusses the impact on civilians and the potential for a ground invasion. The podcast then shifts focus to the upcoming US presidential election, highlighting the importance of swing states. Rebecca Jackson, a writer for The Economist, discusses North Carolina's evolving electoral landscape and the factors that make it a competitive state. The podcast delves into the North Carolina governor's race, focusing on the controversial Republican candidate, Mark Robinson. Robinson's past comments and recent scandals are discussed, and their potential impact on the presidential race is explored. Finally, the podcast celebrates the one-year anniversary of Economist Podcasts Plus, highlighting the subscription service's impact on the team's journalism. Various producers share their experiences and memorable moments from the past year, showcasing the diverse range of content produced.
Outlines
The Lebanon Crisis and the US Election
This chapter covers the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the growing crisis, and international calls for a ceasefire. It also discusses the upcoming US presidential election, highlighting the importance of swing states and the evolving electoral landscape in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Governor's Race and its Impact
This chapter delves into the North Carolina governor's race, focusing on the controversial Republican candidate, Mark Robinson. Robinson's past comments and recent scandals are discussed, and their potential impact on the presidential race is explored.
A Year of Economist Podcasts Plus
This chapter celebrates the one-year anniversary of Economist Podcasts Plus, highlighting the subscription service's impact on the team's journalism. Various producers share their experiences and memorable moments from the past year, showcasing the diverse range of content produced.
Keywords
Swing State
A state in the US presidential election that is considered to be closely contested and could potentially swing the outcome of the election. These states are often targeted by campaigns with increased resources and attention.
Targeted Assassination
The deliberate killing of a specific individual, often a high-ranking official or military leader, for political or strategic purposes. It is a controversial tactic that raises ethical and legal concerns.
Ceasefire
A temporary suspension of hostilities between warring parties. It is often used to facilitate negotiations or allow for humanitarian aid to reach affected areas.
Ground Invasion
A military operation involving the deployment of ground troops into enemy territory. It is a high-risk strategy that often involves significant casualties and logistical challenges.
Scandal
A public controversy or incident that involves wrongdoing or misconduct, often by a public figure or organization. Scandals can damage reputations, erode public trust, and lead to legal or political consequences.
Electoral College
A system used in the US presidential election to determine the winner. Each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its population, and the candidate who wins the majority of electoral votes wins the presidency.
Q&A
What are the key factors that make North Carolina a swing state in the upcoming US presidential election?
North Carolina's evolving demographics, including a growing population of retirees and military veterans, make it a more competitive state for Republicans. However, the state's increasing education levels and urban population growth could benefit Democrats.
How has the scandal surrounding Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina, impacted the presidential race?
Robinson's controversial past comments and recent scandals have raised concerns among some voters, potentially hurting Donald Trump's chances in the state. The Harris campaign is attempting to tie the two men together, hoping to capitalize on the negative publicity surrounding Robinson.
What are the potential outcomes of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon?
The conflict could escalate further if neither side is willing to change its strategic goals. A ground invasion by Israel is a possibility, but it carries significant risks. International efforts are underway to broker a ceasefire, but there is skepticism about its success.
How has Economist Podcasts Plus impacted the team's journalism and storytelling?
Economist Podcasts Plus has allowed the team to produce more in-depth and daring journalism, exploring a wider range of topics and engaging with diverse audiences. The subscription service has also provided opportunities for the team to experiment with new formats and storytelling techniques.
Show Notes
For now, Israel’s moves seem to be posturing, a means to intimidate Hizbullah into backing down. But there remains a prospect of a ground invasion—and another pointless war. Our swing-state series starts with a state that only recently became swing-y: North Carolina (10:08 ). And a look back at a year’s worth of Economist Podcasts+ audio journalism (19:15 ).
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United States
