The Weekend Intelligence: Black boxes (part one): Michael Kovrig on how he became a political hostage in China

The Weekend Intelligence: Black boxes (part one): Michael Kovrig on how he became a political hostage in China

One evening, Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, grabbed a late dinner in Beijing with his partner. When they arrived back at his apartment, men in black were waiting for them. Mr Kovrig was pushed into a waiting SUV. Handcuffed and blindfolded, he was driven to a detention centre in southern Beijing that would be his home for the next 1,019 days. September 24th 2024 is the third anniversary of Mr Kovrig’s release. And now he is ready to talk publicly about his ordeal.

On the Weekend Intelligence, we bring you the first in a two-part series from Drum Tower, our weekly podcast on China. David Rennie, The Economist’s geopolitics editor, speaks with Mr Kovrig about the night he was seized, and how his detention was part of a far bigger geopolitical game.


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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(1942)

Can't deal with it: Brexit

Can't deal with it: Brexit

It’s been another brutal week for Britain’s prime minister as her deal to leave Europe was swatted down comprehensively—again. As a delay to Brexit looks likely, we ask what all the chaos reveals abou...

15 Mars 201922min

Lights out: Venezuela’s blackout

Lights out: Venezuela’s blackout

Power cuts in Caracas have endangered lives and deepened the misery of Venezuelans. It’s another sign of the corruption that pervades the Maduro regime. Also, how do you make a 10,000 ton ship disappe...

14 Mars 201922min

Losing the plot: Brexit

Losing the plot: Brexit

The second defeat of British Prime Minister’s plan for withdrawal from the EU has weakened her. But what does it mean for the risk of a no-deal outcome? The chances of a Brexit delay are rising by the...

13 Mars 201921min

Flying stop: Boeing

Flying stop: Boeing

Following a second fatal crash of Boeing’s 737-MAX, China was quick to ground its fleet of the newish airliner. What does this mean for the world’s largest planemaker? In Russia, protests have broken ...

12 Mars 201921min

The sensitive month: Tibet

The sensitive month: Tibet

China’s party leaders get nervous in March—a month full of anniversaries that Tibetans hold dear. As the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s uprising approaches, security is tighter than usual. Corporate-risk...

11 Mars 201923min

Fifth time unlucky: Algeria’s protests

Fifth time unlucky: Algeria’s protests

Widespread protests will continue today against the re-election run of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who hasn’t been heard from since a stroke in 2013. Algerians have had enough of their country’s p...

8 Mars 201922min

Guilt and association: Paul Manafort

Guilt and association: Paul Manafort

President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager can expect to have the book thrown at him at his sentencing today—the first for crimes revealed by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Mr...

7 Mars 201923min

Trudeau in trouble: a sunny leader in stormy times

Trudeau in trouble: a sunny leader in stormy times

Canada’s fresh-faced leader has been a icon for embattled liberals. But now he faces damaging accusations of meddling in a judicial process. Will Justin Trudeau be contrite or fight? And free money so...

6 Mars 201919min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
motiv
p3-krim
blenda-2
fordomspodden
rss-krimstad
flashback-forever
rss-viva-fotboll
aftonbladet-daily
rss-sanning-konsekvens
svenska-fall
svd-dokumentara-berattelser-2
rss-vad-fan-hande
rss-krimreportrarna
spar
grans
rss-flodet
rss-frandfors-horna
rss-expressen-dok
olyckan-inifran