The Briefing
by Monocle
Latest episode
Should Europe be less optimistic about future relations with the US…
Should Europe be less optimistic about future relations with the US…
About this podcast
A pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by a Monocle editor. The show features informed reporting, prescient business analysis and invaluable industry reports covering everything from technology to aviation and retail to media.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 100 episodes
- Should Europe be less optimistic about future relations with the US now? · 33 minAfter Democrats win big in the midterms, will the US become a better friend of Europe – or a foe? Then: the geopolitics of port operations. Plus: Angola steps up its tourism and…
- If the US shifts away from the Iran war after the midterms, how will Israel react? · 33 minAfter the midterms’ ‘blue tsunami’, is a reset in US-Israel relations coming? And what of the war in Iran? Plus: nationwide strikes in France. Then: Design Doha and ‘The Global…
- Reactions from markets, Iran and the world to a Democratic sweep of the US midterms · 31 minWe gauge reactions from markets, the Gulf and the wider world to the US midterms. Can Democratic control of Congress rein in Donald Trump – or will it provoke further conflict in…
- As US voters head to the polls, Trump’s Republicans have a hill to climb · 33 minHow deep into red states can Democrats go in the midterms? We hear from Ryan Williams in Washington and Kathie Obradovich in Iowa. Plus: a fridge-freezer attack across Europe…
- Is the prime minister of Belgium the first domino to fall? · 35 minBart de Wever has resigned as Belgium’s debt rises and budget talks collapse. With many centrist European leaders in a similar position, will he be the first of many? Then: we…
- Can a Middle East security pact with Iran prove that diplomacy is still possible? · 31 minAs the UAE and Saudi Arabia forge stronger ties and Oman proposes a regional security pact, we discuss how diplomacy might still bring peace to the Middle East. Then: Canada-EU…
- Are new elections – or war – more likely than a coalition with Arab parties in Israel? · 38 minWe discuss where Israel and the wider region are heading now that the final votes have been counted in Israel. Then: why are the US midterms capturing the world’s attention?…
- Spain’s second deadly high-speed train crash in nine months · 38 minWe’re in Madrid with the latest as the death toll of a train collision rises. We discuss what happened and what questions it raises for rail safety. Plus: what next for Israel as…
- Record high turnout early on in Israeli elections · 36 minWe’re in Tel Aviv to assess the mood on the ground as millions turn out to vote in an election that could have global repercussions. Then: 50 stories celebrating 50 years of the…
- Brazil election: the world and the markets react · 30 minBrazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term in office. While supporters celebrate, investor bets on a right-wing victory are upended. Plus: Serbia’s veteran leader…
- Europe is spending more on defence but is it ready to defend itself? · 32 minA new Globsec report argues that Europe won’t be ready to put new defence tech into action fast enough. We explore the solutions. Plus: entrepreneurship in New Delhi and Art…
- British jets for the UAE and Emirati fuel for France: Europe and the Gulf’s new ties · 35 minEuropean and Gulf countries sign new deals on defence and energy. We examine the ties forged in crisis. Then: Google’s data centre plans in Finland are put on ice. Plus: ‘The…
- Are Moscow and Washington drawing ever closer? · 30 minRussia has announced that it’s releasing detained American Stephen Hubbard. Is this another signal of a warming relationship? Then: Romania forms a government after a 6-month…
- Alberta votes to remain in Canada · 32 minAs Albertans vote to remain, we look at the lasting impact of the campaign to leave Canada. Then: Volodymyr Zelensky and Steve Witkoff head to Oslo. What shape could talks take?…
- The political fallout after widespread protests and riots in France · 30 minWe’re in Paris as Emmanuel Macron asks some cities to impose partial curfews after a weekend of riots and looting. But what’s next as his interior minister says that the police…
- Donald Trump’s energy ceasefire collapses: What next for the war in Ukraine? · 34 minAs Trump rebukes Ukraine’s attacks on a Russian oil refinery, we speak to a former Ukrainian ambassador about how negotiations have changed. Then: the UAE’s changing security…
- EU budget showdown: Is a breakthrough possible? · 36 minEU leaders gather in Brussels, hoping to find a way forward for the bloc’s next budget. Is there room for manoeuvre? Plus: Giorgia Meloni criticises Donald Trump’s Russia diesel…
- Volodymyr Zelensky in the UK after deadly overnight attacks · 31 minUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky meets UK prime minister Andy Burnham as Russia strikes critical infrastructure in Kyiv Plus: the future of fashion retail and why Ford is…
- IMF global economic forecast: bright spots and warnings · 39 minWe discuss the latest global economic forecast and what it means for financial systems as the IMF warns of ‘resilience under strain’. Plus: commissioning contemporary art and the…
- Protests in New Delhi: Is Modi now facing an insurmountable political crisis? · 35 minMonocle and Hitachi Energy host a series of exclusive events in New Delhi featuring our editors and invited experts. Then: what’s getting everyone revved up at the Paris Motor…
- South African Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay wins the Nobel Peace Prize · 34 minWe’re in Oslo as the Nobel Institute recognises the achievements of the former UN rights chief and ICJ judge who stood up against apartheid. Plus: Anthony Vaccarello leaves Saint…
- Houthis claim Riyadh attacks and Italy approves controversial electoral-reform law · 36 minWe get the latest from our Gulf correspondent as explosions hit the Saudi capital. Then: Italy prime minister Giorgia Meloni secures final approval for electoral overhaul. And…
- Mail-in or early voting? How to get votes in ahead of the US midterm elections · 29 minAs Donald Trump sows doubt about mail-in voting, Republicans face a dilemma. Then: France roils European bond markets. Plus: Jesper Brodin of the Earthshot prize. See…
- France’s day of demonstration · 30 minAs students, teachers and parents blockade schools across France, we speak to Anita Riotta in Paris. Plus: We review the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week and speak with Éternel…
- Spain calls a snap election and Brazil heads to a runoff · 33 minSpain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, calls an early election amid widespread housing protests. Plus: right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro wins the first round of elections in Brazil but…
- Stories from the Ukraine war and 25 years since the grounding of Swissair · 34 minWe speak to the editor of The Kyiv Independent in London as the war in Ukraine escalates. Plus: Tyler Brûlé on rebranding a failed airline and why China is regulating AI…
- Israel’s ambassador to the UAE on Flydubai · 33 minWe speak to Israel’s ambassador to the UAE as details of the diverted Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv continue to emerge. Plus: the business news, how your environment…
- What we know of the diverted Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv · 32 minWe follow the developing story suggesting that a pilot was stabbed on flight FZ103 en route to Israel. Plus: Mineblast tests South Korea’s approach to North Korea and Paris…
- Can Japan and China break their diplomatic deadlock? · 29 minAs Beijing hosts the highest-level Japanese delegation in a year, we consider what this might do to thaw relations. Plus: we’re in Sao Paulo ahead of Brazil’s election and Abu…
- How much of a boost is France’s far-right surge in Senate elections? · 30 minFrance’s National Rally and its allies have secured a record 14 seats in partial Senate elections. Is it a ‘major milestone’? Plus: an apology from Asian Games organisers and a…
- The China-US dinner: Is Europe feeling left out? · 29 minDid Xi Jinping and Donald Trump’s meeting at the White House go well and what did Europe think? Then: what international force comes after Unifil? Plus: Thailand’s first…
- Does the UN still have teeth? Plus: Monocle’s October style issue · 36 minAs countries strike out on their own and conflicts abound, does the UN still hold sway? Alex von Tunzelmann reminds us what the organisation is capable of. Then: Monocle’s…
- ‘Greatness or obliteration’: Can the UNGA help Iran and the US secure a deal? · 28 minIf progress can be made with anything at the UNGA, will it be with Iran and the US? Then: why are Milan Fashion Week parties an important event for sartorial diplomacy? Plus…
- Is UNGA where the middle powers stop talking and start acting? · 29 minLeaders from Canada, Japan, Brazil and more take centre stage at the UN General Assembly today. Are they the new power brokers? Then: we head to Fondazione Prada as Milan Fashion…
- The UN General Assembly convenes against the backdrop of the Iran war · 31 minAs world leaders descend on New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, we discuss the gathering’s relevance. Then: Fresh election setbacks for the German chancellor, Friedrich…
- Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro battle for votes ahead of Brazil’s big election day · 29 minBrazilians prepare to head to the polls as the presidential race narrows. Then: we look ahead to Fine Arts Paris and head to the Toronto Film Festival. And: we hear about the…
- Catwalks, pop-ups and after-parties: London Fashion Week begins · 35 minWe hear from the CEO of the British Fashion Council as London Fashion Week begins. Then: we meet the team behind the One London project. And: Fernando Augusto Pacheco brings us…
- Canada is set to become the EU’s first associate member · 27 minCanada is set to become the EU’s first associate member. Then: we look at the crackdown against the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey. Plus: we head to the Arab Media Summit and look…
- Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial: what do we know in week 10? · 26 minSara Duterte’s impeachment trial in the Philippines. Then: We check in with Monocle’s team at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai. And: The best of Venice Film Festival and Toronto…
- The EU ices out the US with its new Arctic agenda · 29 minEuropean leaders carve out a new Arctic agenda without the US at the table. Then: Mark Carney's bid to turn Canada’s political reliability into economic gain. Plus: Design on…
- Are markets recognising a renewed threat to global energy supplies? · 29 minOil is more than $100 (€86) a barrel and European diesel prices have hit record highs. Are markets finally recognising a renewed threat to global energy supplies? Then: Konfekt’s…
- Does the future of the transatlantic relationship lie with Poland and Canada? · 39 minCould Poland and Canada’s defence deal mark a new chapter for Western security? Then: can the US Democrats capitalise on their success in the primaries? Plus: Apple’s new CEO is…
- How to preserve a political legacy: the view from ‘Trumpapalooza’ and Macron’s twilight years · 31 minWe’re in Dallas as the Republican party begins to grapple with its post-Trump future and then in Paris, where Macron and his MPs strategise for plans after his departure. Then…
- Rubio in South America: celebrating the region’s rightward shift and eyeing 2028 · 33 minUS secretary of state Marco Rubio lands in Colombia, lauding the continent’s right-wing swing. Will he leverage his regional influence for a 2028 presidential run? Then…
- Germany’s far-right wins big: The view from the Bundestag and Brussels · 31 minWe head to Berlin as Germany’s far-right AFD party eyes a path to power. Then: a global foresight strategist on how businesses can navigate volatility. Plus: 2027 travel trends…
- What the biggest restructuring in Volkswagen’s history says about Germany · 31 minCould Volkswagen’s restructuring actually be a positive sign that corporate Germany is facing up to reality? Plus: Monocle’s Quality of Life Conference under way in Lisbon. See…
- That’s Goethe hurt: Russia’s cultural swipe at Germany following accusations of drone attacks and spying · 34 minRussia looks to close Germany’s Goethe-Institut cultural centres. Then: big tech makes Trump’s Lake America official, the latest from Hong Kong and the Quality of Life global…
- Live from Zürich, which has just topped an index of the world’s smartest cities · 28 minEmma Nelson is live from our headquarters in the city that has just topped the IMD’s global Smart City Index. Plus: an alliance unfolding between Al-Qaeda and Houthis in Yemen…
- The Mecca defence pact and Meloni’s record-breaking run · 31 minWe head to Istanbul for Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s first-ever Mecca Defence Alliance meeting. Then we’re off to Milan to discuss Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s…
- La rentrée politique: France’s presidential hopefuls kick start their campaigns · 31 minThere are seven months to go before the first round of the election that will find a replacement for outgoing leader Emmanuel Macron. As politicians return to their offices after…
