Monocle 24: The Briefing

We discuss the winners and losers from France’s municipal elections in Paris, Marseille and across the country. Then: a narrow victory for Slovenia’s incumbent liberal prime minister. Plus: inside Konfekt’s spring issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the damage from strikes in Iran and the Gulf, and whether Israel’s promise to stop targeting Iranian gas fields will do anything to reassure the region. Then: was Sanae Takaichi’s meeting with Trump a success? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the aims of the European Council Summit at a crucial juncture. Plus: Thailand embraces stability as a new prime minister is appointed and what we can learn from the world’s happiest nation?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss how Volodymyr Zelensky is working to put Ukraine back on the agenda as he lands in Madrid after meetings in London and Paris. Plus: Frank McCourt on reclaiming your digital identity and the latest Swiss news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the US president postpones a high-stakes summit with China’s leader, we discuss the mutual strategies at play. Then: France’s municipal election results and Lucas Santtana’s new album, ‘Brasiliano’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump warns Nato that it must assist the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Can he rely on the US’s allies after a year of berating them? Plus: the surge in oil markets continues. Then: we take stock of the Oscars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss what’s next for Alternative for Germany after a court rules that the party cannot be labelled as an “extremist” group. Plus: an interview with Giorgos Karampelas, creative director of K-Studio, at Mipim 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss how increased attacks across the region are pushing energy prices back up despite a historic release of reserves. Plus: Amanda Driehorst, strategy and sales manager at Schindler, on innovation in “vertical” home mobility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Istanbul’s mayor is among hundreds facing corruption charges in a trial that his party says is politically motivated. Plus: Paris Fashion Week highlights and we speak to Hyatt’s Felicity Black-Roberts at Mipim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Doha as Qatar warns of dramatic global consequences if the war with Iran continues. Then: elections in Colombia. Plus: we’re off to Cannes to hear about the latest in affordable housing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part two of Tyler Brûlé’s interview with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. Plus: we delve into the appointment of the late Ayatollah Khamenei’s son and consider what it will mean for Iran’s ongoing war with Israel and the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the latest on the Iran war from Dubai and discuss how long defensive ammunition in the Gulf will last against Iranian attacks. Plus: the latest business news and cultural headlines from France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As strikes in Iran continue we get the view from Washington after a bipartisan resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s powers fails in the US Senate. Then: Ukraine’s sought-after drone interceptor technology. Plus: China unveils its next five-year roadmap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain leads Europe’s opposition to the US-Israel war with Iran, as speculation grows about who will take over from Ayatollah Khamenei. Plus: business news with Bloomberg and we report from Paris Fashion Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The question of who commands Iran now remains unanswered, Tara Kangarlou joins Georgina Godwin to discuss. Then: aid into Gaza is threatened as the Middle East conflict continues. Plus: urbanism highlights from Monocle’s new magazine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US and Israeli strikes in Iran have become a regional conflict. Inzamam Rashid gives the latest from Dubai. Plus: does Donald Trump have a plan to resolve the conflict? Then: the threat to global oil markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the shattering of a fragile ceasefire as Pakistan launches overnight attacks on major Afghan cities, including Kabul. Where will the escalation lead and what are the regional implications?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diplomats are once again descending on Geneva as fresh talks on both the US-Iran nuclear deal and the Russia-Ukraine war get under way. We discuss why it appeals as a location and the prospect for progress on either side.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest from Washington following Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Then: we discuss the significance of German rearmament with Liana Fix. Plus: the latest business news and a check-in from Milano Fashion Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Jenne reflects on four years of war in Ukraine and discusses comments from the country’s ambassador to the UK. Then: we meet Maria Alyokhina, a member of Russian feminist activist group Pussy Riot. Plus: European news with Ed Stocker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with Mike Sfraga, the US’s former ambassador at large for Arctic affairs, about Nordic co-operation. Plus: winners and losers at the Baftas and we meet Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar in Tokyo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden prepares for war by training its civilian reserve, we speak with British MP Mike Martin about European defence and meet Raffaella Paniè, the director of brand, identity and look for the Winter Olympics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Andrew Tuck joins to discuss Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest and its significance for the royal family. Then: South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, is sentenced to life in prison. And: Airbus warns that it’s struggling to get engines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pew Research Center asked 30,000 people what makes them proud of their country. We parse through the results – between attitudes, geography and cuisine. Plus: Monocle staffers share why they’re proud of their nations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A protege of Martin Luther King Jr, Jesse Jackson left an indelible mark on US politics. Then: why Saudi Arabia is downsizing development plans and how Jamaica is building climate resilience into tourism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Palestine takes one step forward and two steps back on statehood. Then: what is the future of Gulf Co-operation Council and EU relations? Plus: Brazil’s first Olympic gold and ‘Monocle in Milan’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Edwards hosts a round-up of the conversations from Monocle Radio’s pop-up studio on the final day of the 2026 World Governments Summit in Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Edwards hosts a round-up of the conversations from Monocle Radio’s pop-up studio on day two of the 2026 World Governments Summit in Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Edwards hosts a round-up of conversations from Monocle Radio’s pop-up studio on the opening day of the 2026 World Governments Summit in Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen says that the ambition is for “one Europe, one market” by 2027. We discuss the fine line that leaders have to walk to stay both competitive and open.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a year since the US vice president, JD Vance, reprimanded Europe at the Munich Security Conference. We hear from the Monocle team as it prepares for this year’s event and consider what’s on the agenda in a much changed world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The view from Toronto and Ottawa after at least 10 people are killed in a school shooting in Canada. Then: We look ahead to the Munich Security Conference. Plus: Switzerland and Austria's enduring Winter Olympics rivalry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benjamin Netanyahu requests an earlier meeting with Donald Trump over Iran. Then: We meet the team behind Zootopia 2 – Hollywood's biggest ever animated film. Plus: An exhibition dedicated to the future of winter sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the mood in Hong Kong as a court hands down the largest sentence to date under its national security law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The view from Washington as contentious nuclear talks between the US and Iran begin in Oman. Then: we assess the impact of Trump’s new critical-minerals strategy on Asia. Plus: as the Winter Olympics kick off in Milan, we hear about some of this year’s unlikely competitors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost three-quarters of the world’s population lives under autocratic rulers according to Human Rights Watch. We discuss this ‘democratic recession’. Then: the final day of the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ from Puerto Rico.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear from Monocle’s team at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Then: Yuan Potts brings us the latest in the world of business. Plus: NYC’s first sauna festival, Culture of Bathe-ing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France’s prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, gets a budget passed after months of deadlock. Then: Monocle in Dubai for the World Governments Summit. Plus: Is China’s luxury market in recovery?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel accepts Gaza health authority’s death-toll figures in U-turn, as the Rafah border crossing tentatively reopens to Palestinians. Plus: Germany’s public-transport workers strike and the Melania documentary falls short. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has warned Iraq that it would lose all American support if controversial former prime minister Al-Maliki retakes office. Plus: a tourism uptick in Mongolia and Cape Town’s public pool upgrades.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Milan’s mayor has said that ICE agents are not welcome in his city for the Winter Games. Plus: we look at Monocle’s February issue and hear about high jewellery in Paris, AI tourism blunders and ‘The Global Countdown’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France hosts the leaders of Denmark and Greenland. Then: the future of Lebanon’s economy amid new investments. Plus: how is China’s oil market changing in light of Maduro’s arrest? And: Monocle design and fashion highlights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.