The Briefing
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.
Latest episodes
Jun 6, 2025 • 32min
Israel arms Palestinian factions within Gaza and the rise of J-pop
Israel confirms that it’s arming Palestinian factions within Gaza who oppose Hamas, Leila Molana-Allen tells us more. Plus: a flick through Brazil’s papers and J-pop’s government-backed global expansion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 5, 2025 • 37min
Musk turns on Trump
We discuss the fallout of Elon Musk’s criticism of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”. Are the latest round of executive actions simply a distraction from Musk’s broadside? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 4, 2025 • 36min
Israel halts aid distribution in Gaza for a full day
The latest following Israel’s decision to pause aid distribution in Gaza for 24 hours. Then: the rift between Poland’s new right-wing president and its liberal prime minister. Plus: the Middle East’s burgeoning art market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 3, 2025 • 35min
Dutch government collapses
The Dutch government collapses as far-right leader Geert Wilders pulls his far-right PVV party out of a coalition. We have the latest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 2, 2025 • 32min
What to expect from Ukraine-Russia second-round talks
After a series of air strikes over the weekend, Ukraine and Russia sit down for a second round of talks in Istanbul.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 30, 2025 • 30min
Macron warns Israel of sanctions
Speaking in Singapore ahead of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, called on European leaders to harden their collective position on Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn’t improve soon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 29, 2025 • 38min
CPAC in Europe
As Viktor Orbán hosts the Conservative Political Action Conference’s (CPAC) next European stop in Budapest, former Hungarian MP Zsuzsanna Szelényi joins to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28, 2025 • 30min
Will Europe’s new arms fund make it SAFE?
Gorana Grgić examines the EU’s €150bn SAFE scheme, a new arms fund aimed at countering Russian aggression and US withdrawal. Then: how bread became Ukraine’s symbol of resistance. And: Monte Carlo with Jacquemus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 27, 2025 • 32min
King Charles III prepares for historic speech in Canada
King Charles III is set to give the throne address to open Canada’s 45th session of parliament. Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, said the royal visit “clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 26, 2025 • 32min
Trump steps up his criticism of Putin
Hanna Hopko, a prominent figure in Ukraine's democracy efforts, weighs in on the country's resilience against ongoing threats from Russia. Karsten Brzezinski provides insight into the shaky landscape of Germany's economy, amidst pressures from U.S. tariffs. Anita Riota discusses Italy's controversial security bill and public backlash, alongside highlights from the Cannes Film Festival that reveal deeper political narratives. The lively debate also takes a lighter turn, celebrating the joys of World Aperitivo Day in Italy.
