Taiwan thing after another: the Solomon Islands

<p>The archipelago’s diplomatic pivot to China has added an international dimension to the latest flare-up of domestic tensions. We ask how this tiny state figures into <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/12/04/chinese-influence-is-spurring-violence-in-the-solomon-islands?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">far larger geopolitics</a>. British law permits medical cannabis for children with epilepsy—so why are <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2021/11/27/medical-cannabis-is-allowed-in-britain-for-children-with-epilepsy?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">so few</a> able to get it? And a Formula 1 race <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/12/04/will-an-f1-race-mark-the-end-of-saudi-arabias-ban-on-alcohol?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">may mark</a> the end of Saudi Arabia’s alcohol ban.</p><p>Have your say about “The Intelligence” in our survey here&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey</a>. And 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 p