Exit stages left: America and the Middle East

<p>The Biden administration would like to pull back from the region; America’s strategic interests have changed, as have regional dynamics. We examine the <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/03/03/can-joe-biden-get-america-out-of-the-middle-east?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">careful exit</a> that is possible. To evade censors China’s cinephiles often turn to pirated versions of foreign films, but the volunteers who subtitle them are under <a href="https://www.economist.com/china/2021/02/18/chinas-campaign-against-film-piracy-is-upsetting-hollywood-fans?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">increasing pressure</a>. And researchers <a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/02/20/lucid-dreamers-may-be-able-to-talk-to-the-outside-world?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">make a connection</a> with the dream world.&nbsp;For full access to print, digital and audio editions of <em>The Economist</em>, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>