Monocle 24: The Monocle Daily

As the world reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s first trip to Turkey and Lebanon, Andrew Mueller and Juliet Linley give us their two cents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bipartisan resolution to block US military action against Venezuela without congressional approval and calls for an investigation into self-proclaimed “secretary of war” Pete Hegseth roil US Congress. Then: the latest from presidents Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron’s meeting. And: will an afternoon tipple boost Thai tourism?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nato foreign ministers meet in Brussels following a US-Russia summit in Moscow. Then: we look ahead to Australia’s teen social-media ban. Plus: the campaign to bring back doors in hotel-room bathrooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Washington's delegation arrives in Moscow, we discuss how close we are to peace in Ukraine. Then: India begins testing long-range missiles – why is China so interested? Plus: Denmark prepares to cancel Christmas cards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest as Trump ramps up pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuela. Then: as Pope Leo continues his tour of the Middle East, we discuss how much sway he has in the region. Plus: Switzerland rejects a wealth tax on the super-rich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the UN’s new report on megacities, Louvre’s price rise for non-EU nationals and Brazil’s telenovelas expansion. Plus: Mina al-Oraibi, editor in chief of The National.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guests Elisabeth Braw and Nina dos Santos unpack Emmanuel Macron’s decision to relaunch a limited military service in France. Plus: Pope Leo’s first overseas trip and how the housing crisis relates to a rise in populism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington continues to take the lead on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, where is Europe in all of this? Then: Trump asks his loyal supporter and Paramount Skydance’s largest shareholder, Larry Ellison, to revive ‘Rush Hour’. Plus: Sweden encourages its visitors to be bored.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest on the Ukraine peace deal, as Washington scrambles to meet Moscow’s delegates in Abu Dhabi. Then: We unpack whether it's possible for Iran to have a soft-power makeover. Plus: Should airlines enforce dress codes?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US and Ukrainian delegations meet in Geneva to talk peace; Israel targets Hezbollah’s chief of staff; the G20 wraps up; and Saudi Arabia quietly allows alcohol sales for expats. Plus: Julia Ioffe on her new book, ‘Motherland’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss what’s next for the Middle East after a Unifil report tallies up Israel’s continued violations of a ceasefire agreement and as the US pressures Beirut to disarm Hezbollah. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to meet with a US army delegation in Kyiv after American and Russian officials draft a plan to end the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports emerge that the Trump administration has been secretly co-ordinating with Moscow on a new plan to end the war in Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How watertight is Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza and why are international students turning away from the US?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump has urged his fellow Republicans to vote for the release of the files on the basis that “we have nothing to hide”. How will this U-Turn pan out? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a look at a week in politics in Washington from a government shutdown to threats against the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenya says more than 200 of its nationals have joined Russian forces. We ask why Russia has its eyes on Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What next for Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine is shaken by one of the biggest wartime corruption scandals since Russia’s invasion three years ago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Gaza ceasefire might be in place but what are the actual long-term solutions to conflict in the Middle East? Panellists Yossi Mekelberg and Julie Norman consider the viable options and whether Gaza will have to be split in two. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Syria’s leader heads to the White House for a landmark meeting and Iraqis prepare to go to the polls, we discuss how dramatically regional dynamics have changed in the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle Radio’s Tom Webb brings us stories and interviews with tourism ministers at the World Travel Market in London this week. Plus: A review of US politics and Syria with Tara Kangarlou; and Dubai Design Week with Nic Monisse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel assess reports that US action against the Bolivarian republic might be imminent after all, possibly against targets believed or alleged to be associated with Venezuela’s drugs cartels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president demands a vote change after Democrats claim sweeping victories. Plus: Babiš and the Czech coalition deal, AI bubble trouble and can a cheese-fire deal be reached between Switzerland and its neighbours?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the life and legacy of former US vice-president Dick Cheney. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel discusses whether Syrians should be returned home or if Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, has a point. Plus: Dr Nicholas Wright on the psychology of warfare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss Brazil’s deadly operation against drug gangs. Will this be a key issue in next year’s elections? Then: Burberry and Monocle collaborate, why rap music is losing its chart share and why seasonal drinks are failing to pierce the European market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Trump and Xi seemingly settle their trade dispute, we discuss how solid their agreement is. Then: the Netherlands is set to elect a centre-left prime minister – is the pendulum finally swinging back? Plus: why Maga can’t find love in Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite overnight strikes, Israel and Trump insist that the ceasefire still holds – what’s next for the shaky truce? Then: the relevance of celebrity endorsements in politics and we ask how important style is for a leader as Albanese sports a Joy Division T-shirt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president indulges in Japanese pageantry ahead of a key meeting with China’s Xi Jinping. Our panel of Patti Cohen and Simon Brooke asks whether Trump is finally ready to make a deal. Plus: Hong Kong-based filmmaker Elizabeth Lo on her controversial new documentary, ‘Mistress Dispeller’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colonel Mark Cancian on why the US has moved a carrier strike group into the Caribbean. Then: Justin Quirk and Zoë Grünewald discuss the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ and whether ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ could become reality. Plus: Simon Hart on his book, ‘Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump ends trade talks with Canada. Then: Leila Molana-Allen on her recent trip to Israel and Palestine and what’s next for journalists in the region. Plus: a flick through Monocle’s November issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump sanctions two of Russia’s big oil companies. How big will the impact be? Then: China’s religious charm offensive on Taiwan. Plus: Vienna’s surprising history with voice messages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia continues to bombard Ukraine while looking to boost its propaganda budget. Then: JD Vance meets with Benjamin Netanyahu to assert the US’s commitment to the Gaza ceasefire. Plus: the fate of heritage crafts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Trump and Putin delay their summit, what’s next for the war in Ukraine? Then: Sarkozy begins his five-year prison term. Plus: Lime marks a billion rides – but are they a help or hindrance?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As reports emerge of a “shouting match” between Zelensky and Trump during their latest meeting, we discuss what lies ahead for Ukraine. Plus: Will Japan get its first female PM, will France’s wealthy flee the country’s turmoil, and are “scream clubs” the future for all of us?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Sophie Monaghan-Coombs on one of the biggest events on the art calendar. Plus: Leila Molana-Allen reports from the Middle East, Zelensky goes to Washington and Andrew Mueller gets a lesson in autumnal wines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sébastien Lecornu keeps his job but at the expense of Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms. Plus: Why was Tony Blair given a role upholding Gaza’s ceasefire but no other European heavyweights were? And is China a friend or foe?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Vladimir Putin cancels a summit with Arab leaders in Moscow and Pete Hegseth takes Russia to task in Brussels, is the mood shifting post-Gaza ceasefire? Plus: Germany’s “lottery conscription” and two new surveys on AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pentagon orders journalists to sign restrictive new rules. Plus: How long-range missiles could place Moscow in striking distance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than two years in captivity, all 20 living hostages are returned by Hamas. Plus: Why Cuba is denying its military’s participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As France’s president meets with party leaders to discuss the next French prime minister, Monocle’s Paris bureau chief explains why Macron might take an unexpected approach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Israeli cabinet votes on a deal that would bring a ceasefire to Gaza and see the hostages returned, we discuss how successful this agreement might be in the long term. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.