Monocle 24: The Globalist

Europe’s military leaders gather in Prague to talk defence and co-operation. And: We go behind the scenes of the UN secretary-general race. Plus: A recap of the Arab Media Summit, aviation news and What We Learned this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada’s prime minister speaks to the European Parliament and the former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, is jailed for war crimes. Plus: Jaguar Land Rover plans to sell its Defender to Nato and Zürich Design Week begins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK flexes its diplomatic muscles as Nato chief Mark Rutte arrives in London. Then: We take the temperature of the US midterms and Italy’s electoral reform. Plus: Nordic news, Paris Design Week and the Arab Media Summit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden continues to count the votes of a tightly contested election in which its liberal traditions are being tested. Then: The latest news from the air and sea. Plus: What Okinawa’s new governor means for Japan's defence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden goes to the polls while New Delhi hosts Brics leaders for a high-profile summit. Then: Art Week in Syria and Berlin, the Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar and a Canadian cartographer on the business of naming things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden heads to the polls this weekend. Its centre-right prime minister vows to bring the far right into government but a left-wing coalition has other ideas. Then: why Algeria has cut ties with the UAE and why Brazilian funk is having a K-pop moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare mid-term convention puts Dallas – and Donald Trump – into the spotlight. Then: on the ground in Ukraine with Aliona Hlivco and photographer Mark Neville. Plus: life in Ceuta one month after the migrant crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poland has signed a defence co-operation deal with Canada as it hosts the largest Eastern European defence fair this week. Plus: How to organise a state funeral in Norway and why Soviet-era music is making a comeback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore the new trilateral defence drills and the extent of the US involvement. Plus: Undersea drone wars with Verineia Codrean of Euroatlas; the mayors of Lisbon and Maputo; and a look at Biennale Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US ambassador Mike Huckabee visits the West Bank as settler violence worsens. Then: the EU makes a deal with Greenland, the global view of the end of summer and the Venice film festival continues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Germany’s regional elections pose one of the greatest threats to Freidrich Merz and Germany’s political firewall against the AfD. Plus: why are some Asian airlines able to absorb the new cost of flying?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Xi is visiting Egypt for the first time in a decade. Why does Cairo matter to Beijing and what does the visit tell us about Egypt’s ability to balance its relationships with China, the US and its regional partners?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at Niger to understand Moscow’s continuing military role in the region. Plus: Hagen’s CEO Tim Schroeder on Danish coffee culture, the art of cartography and Monocle’s Quality of Life Conference in Lisbon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the Middle East returning to war? We examine renewed US-Iran hostilities, the Gulf response and whether there is still a path back to negotiations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwan and Australia battle China for primacy at the Pacific Islands Forum. Plus: Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths on how a key aviation hub has managed to keep flying through conflict and remain confident in its long-term plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are relations really deteriorating between the two countries or are they simply returning to old patterns? We analyse the situation in Europe’s southeast and look at what is driving the hostility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Iceland get closer to the EU? We analyse what’s at stake in Saturday’s referendum and what it means for sovereignty and security in the North Atlantic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After three drones targeted Leipzig, the question arises: what can Europe’s airports do about it? Plus: New York gallerist Harper Levine at his outpost in Bangkok; Japan’s education model; and remembering Dolly Parton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US slaps harsh new sanctions on Iran as Pakistan tries to kickstart peace talks. Then: Andy Burnham’s first overseas visit as prime minister to Ukraine. And: Canadian news and a preview of Konfekt’s new book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the future of security in Asia as Japanese lawmakers head to China? Then: Canada’s tariff war with the US, Kazakhstan’s elections, fashion archives from around the world and rentrée littéraire in France.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States and Europe are experiencing rising borrowing costs as markets wise up to unprecedented levels of debt. Plus: Reviewing the start of Brazil’s electoral campaign and how to give your children independence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past week, Japan’s prime minister Takaichi has seen the Trump administration sanction Tomoko Akane, a Japanese citizen and head of the International Criminal Court, which Japan still funds. Trump has also limited military drills with South Korea, which are in Japan’s national interest. So how will Takaichi respond? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand’s prime minister travels to Canberra as Bangkok looks to deepen ties with Australia. Could the relationship offer Thailand a useful alternative to its reliance on China?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Jared Kushner bridge the divide between Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu? We examine the art of mediation, how negotiators can break the deadlock over disarmament and withdrawal, and what leverage Washington and regional powers have to help secure a deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does Switzerland’s immigration rate keep tumbling? Then: outrage in North Korea as the US and South Korea begin joint military drills. And: we look at why specialist bookshops are still essential.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With war in Europe, should Switzerland take a stricter approach to its neutrality stance? As campaigning starts on the Neutrality Initiative, we discuss how it could impact the Alpine nation’s standing in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid fears that President Trump might interfere in the looming November ballot, primary votes in Minnesota and Wisconsin have revealed the differences between establishment candidates and more progressive elements in the Democratic Party. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greenland issues a warning after drilling equipment linked to the US was brought ashore without approval. We explore the future of the territory. Plus: on board Bombardier’s Global 8000, the world’s fastest civil aircraft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at low water levels on the Rhine, South Korea’s Arctic ambitions and what these shifts mean for global trade on the Strait of Hormuz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at what’s making the capital and largest city of Nova Scotia a boom town for defence industries. Then: should we be worried that AI writing is taking over from human writing? And: could Seoul authorities succeed in creating a city that never sleeps?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are no official military or diplomatic links between Kyiv and Taipei but communication is growing, what might they teach the other? Then: Tomos Parry, chef behind Michelin-starred Brat, on bringing his food to the skies. And: we look at our summer newspaper ‘Med, Mountains & More’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announces multiple drone deals as Russia steps up attacks. Then: South Korea plans a new train to the North. Plus: Myanmar’s club scene, luxury hotel refurbishments and music from Japan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EU interior ministers close ranks behind Spain after the Ceuta migrant crisis. Then: Japan’s latest white paper on defense. Plus: we talk art with CSS singer Luisa Matsushita See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zambia heads to the polls as president Hichilema seeks a second term. We examine what’s at stake for one of Africa’s leading copper producers and consider whether the country’s economic turnaround will secure him another term.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Middle East is undergoing dramatic change; we explore how this is reshaping global aviation. Then: Friedrich Merz faces trouble; Copenhagen Fashion Week; and Italian-Palestinian popstar Tä ra. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guide to the latest earnings in the luxury sector and what they mean for the global economy. Then: newspapers from Asia, Europe’s busiest travel week, the continued rise of golden visas, and ‘Med, Mountains & More’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best-selling author Daisy Goodwin recounts the lasting impact of losing a home to a fire, as we check in from Bordeaux. Plus: Has Saudi Arabia officially entered the US-Iran conflict? And: Sweden’s new security architecture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We report from Bordeaux, where wildfires continue to rage as firefighters battle to contain the blaze. Plus: the latest on the earthquake in Japan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president and the Israeli prime minister prepare for talks in Washington. Then: why it’s good to follow Andy Burnham’s example and buy British. Plus: why has a Chinese film about Taiwan been made but never screened? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington and Tehran have halted their escalation for the moment, we explore the reasons behind it. Then: how effective will new EU sanctions on Russia be? Plus: the rise of dining alone, culture news and a Konfekt preview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Large youth protests continue to send shockwaves through India’s political landscape. Then: the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting wraps up. Plus: Farnborough International Airshow, the Monocle Minute on Design newsletter and ‘What We Learned’ this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get all the latest news on Day 4 of the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire. Then: how Switzerland is helping Kyrgyzstan build drinking water systems. And: we hear about Saint-Étienne’s new “Cité du Design”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.