Hannah Lucinda Smith

Hannah Lucinda Smith, journalist and author who reported across Turkey, Europe and the Middle East, explores Europe’s overlooked borderlands. She visits Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh and North Cyprus. She discusses how these grey zones became strategic battlegrounds, Russia’s influence, fragile postwar states, shadow economies and the shifting rules of diplomacy.

Hannah Lucinda‑Smith, Istanbul correspondent covering European and Middle Eastern affairs, and Alexander Gerlach, NYU political philosopher focused on China and geopolitics, discuss Xi and Putin's mutual pledges and what Russia's actions mean for China‑Taiwan dynamics. They also examine Turkey's shifting regional role, Erdogan's incentives, and the public backlash against rapid AI rollout.

Join Yossi Mekelberg, an insightful political commentator, and Vincent McAviney, a keen political analyst, as they unpack this week's major stories. They dive into the diplomatic tensions highlighted at the Munich Security Conference, especially regarding Ukraine and transatlantic relations. Istanbul correspondent Hannah Lucinda Smith shares updates on Turkey's political turmoil and recent earthquakes. The conversation also touches on the Israel-Gaza ceasefire complexities and the ethical dilemmas of resume embellishment in today’s job market.

Inzamam Rashid, Monocle’s UAE correspondent reporting on Gulf maritime incidents. Simon Brook, political journalist and communications consultant. Hannah Lucinda-Smith, former Istanbul correspondent and author on Europe’s frontiers. Tyler Brûlé, Monocle’s editorial director on international ventures. They cover tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, media and humour in authoritarian states, Monocle’s global pop-ups and a lively Salone del Mobile preview.

Alexander Christie-Miller, a former Istanbul correspondent and author of "To the City: Life and Death Along the Ancient Walls of Istanbul," joins Hannah Lucinda Smith, Turkey correspondent for The Times. They dive into the significance of Istanbul's historic walls and Hagia Sophia amid political changes. The duo also explores Erdogan's complex political landscape, contrasting views from supporters and opposition. Personal stories of disillusionment reveal the emotional connections voters have with power dynamics, highlighting Turkey's intricate identity.

Hannah Lucinda Smith, foreign correspondent and author exploring contested borderlands, discusses Europe’s liminal territories. She traces links from Syria to European security. She contrasts Turkey’s and Russia’s soft-power tools. She recounts everyday life in frozen zones and explains how post-imperial unfinished borders fuel instability. She reflects on NATO dilemmas and Europe’s shifting security landscape.

Hannah Lucinda-Smith, Istanbul correspondent and author exploring Europe’s shifting borders. Tira Schubart, journalist and Royal Astronomical Society fellow on defence and geopolitics. Paul Walde, Europe correspondent analyzing NATO and spending. They discuss Estonia’s big defence bill, NATO summit dynamics, Iran’s maritime strikes and regional leverage, political shakeups in Europe, and climate impacts on major events.

Hannah Lucinda Smith, journalist and author who has reported across the Middle East and Europe, explores Europe's liminal borderlands. She traces Soviet legacies in places like Transnistria and Nagorno‑Karabakh. She examines non‑recognition in Northern Cyprus, Balkan fragility and outside patrons, Turkey's balancing act, and how peripheral conflicts reveal great‑power rivalry.

Yossi Mekelberg, an expert in international relations, and Stephen Dalziel, a commentator on European politics, join reporter Hannah Lucinda Smith, who offers insights from the heart of Istanbul. They discuss the explosive protests in Turkey sparked by a provocative cartoon, highlighting the tension between free speech and religious sentiments. The conversation also touches on global issues, from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to the implications for Turkish politics, including government crackdowns on dissent.

Simon Brooke, a seasoned journalist, and Marta Lorimer, a politics lecturer, delve into fractures within the MAGA coalition and their implications on US politics. Tyler Brûlé reports from sun-kissed Lisbon, discussing global travel and the decline of print media. Meanwhile, Hannah Lucinda-Smith updates on a military plane crash and the trial of Istanbul's mayor. The discovery of the Temple of Zeus after 40 years captivates as they explore the intersection of archaeology and politics in Turkey.