

The Globalist
Monocle
Monocle’s unrivalled coverage of news and current affairs kicks off on weekdays with ‘The Globalist’ at 07.00 GMT/08.00 CET. Anchored from London and Zürich, join our editors for insight and opinion on the big current affairs and business stories of the day and a review of the European front pages. Nominated for Best Daily Podcast in the 2020 British Podcast Awards.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 11, 2025 • 1h 1min
Europe weighs Ukraine’s reconstruction and lessons from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gaia Lutz, Monocle's Lisbon correspondent, shares insights on Europe’s commitment to Ukraine's reconstruction, which is backed by significant EU funding. Alexander Shushko, Executive Director at the International Renaissance Foundation, emphasizes the resilience seen in Ukraine, paired with reflections on Bosnia’s complex history. Contributing editor Andrew Muller and singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin discuss cultural topics, exploring art fairs in Portugal and how social media shapes music success, especially through Cardin's evolving career.

Jul 10, 2025 • 59min
Erdoğan’s crackdown on his political opponents intensifies
Jared Melson, a Middle East correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, joins forces with Navina Koutour, Monocle's Nairobi correspondent, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tim Weiner, and retail expert Rebecca Tay. They dive into Erdoğan's escalating repression of the Turkish opposition amid calls for early elections. Melson highlights recent arrests of mayors and the wider implications for democracy, while Weiner critiques contemporary CIA operations. Together, they explore the economic chaos enveloping Turkey and the ripple effects on Europe.

Jul 9, 2025 • 59min
More Trump tariffs, ASEAN foreign ministers meet and the race for icebreakers in the Arctic
Jack Dickens, a journalist and historian, joins Rabbi Dov Lipman, a former Knesset member, to discuss pressing global issues. They explore the potential for an EU trade agreement with the Trump administration, focusing on tariff impacts. The conversation shifts to Israel's military conscription changes concerning ultra-Orthodox Jews. They also delve into the strategic race for icebreakers in the Arctic and the geopolitical tensions this entails, including the competition between the US, Canada, and Russia.

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 1min
Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK, Japan’s emperor heads to Mongolia and Haute Couture Week
Inzimam Rashid, a Dubai-based journalist for Al Arabiya, joins fashion director Natalie Theodosi and Monocle contributors Doug Conklin and Simon Bouvier to discuss Emmanuel Macron's impactful state visit to the UK, revealing the intricacies of Franco-British relations post-Brexit. They also explore Japan's emperor's historic trip to Mongolia, a fascinating blend of diplomacy and cultural remembrance. The conversation shifts to Haute Couture Week in Paris and the cultural evolution of men's swimwear, highlighting shifts in identity and fashion trends.

Jul 7, 2025 • 59min
Trump and Netanyahu meet in Washington. Plus: Paris honours the designer of its Métro with a museum
Simon Marks, Washington reporter, joins Nina Dos Santos, former CNN Europe editor, and Mateusz Mazzini, Gazeta Wyborcza writer, to discuss the high-stakes meeting between Trump and Netanyahu. They delve into military strategies addressing Iran and Syria and explore the shifting dynamics of U.S.-Israeli relations. The conversation also covers the geopolitical fallout from the Ukraine war and the complexities surrounding immigration tensions between Poland and Germany.

6 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 58min
The future of Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ and the UK redesigns its banknotes
Juliette Lindley, a journalist based in Zurich, Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow for Latin America, and Scott Lucas, an adjunct professor at UCD, dive into the implications of Trump's new legislation on U.S. politics. They discuss the Mercosur-EU trade deal's long journey and the ideological divisions it reveals. The conversation shifts to the UK's banknotes redesign, highlighting public input versus expert oversight in shaping national identity. Tune in for insights on these key global topics and their broader societal impacts!

Jul 3, 2025 • 59min
As the US halts aid and Russia intensifies strikes, what will happen to Ukraine?
Latika Burke, a writer-at-large and national security expert, joins Washington reporter Simon Marks, former Ukrainian MP Hannah Hopko, and Northeast Asia analyst William Yang for a deep dive into the implications of the U.S. halting military aid to Ukraine. They discuss the mounting pressures on Ukraine's military amid increased Russian aggression and the urgent need for sustained international support. Additionally, they explore the political ramifications of Trump's major economic bill and its potential fallout on American citizens.

Jul 2, 2025 • 59min
Japan in the firing line as Trump nears decisions on tariffs
Fiona Wilson, Monocle’s Tokyo Bureau Chief, dives into Japan's delicate trade negotiations with the U.S., emphasizing how crucial tariffs on automotive goods and the symbolism of rice shape their relationship. Camilla Wozink discusses the pressing funding shortfalls impacting humanitarian aid, while Yossi Mecklenburg analyzes the political repercussions of America's new tax reforms and their effects on international relations. Lisa Poggialli highlights the intersection of AI and elections, and Ed Stocker reflects on the Iowa State Fair as a pivotal stage for political engagement.

Jul 1, 2025 • 59min
The Senate’s marathon voting session on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Terry Stiasny, a political journalist and author, joins John Everard, a former British ambassador, and Peter Limgeroyrat, a former candidate for Prime Minister in Thailand. They delve into the intense political maneuvering around the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' and its implications on tax reforms. The urgency for passage before a July 4th deadline adds tension. The discussion also touches on political stagnation in Thailand, contrasting global struggles like heatwaves in Europe, and the ongoing protests in Serbia and Croatia, highlighting the intersection of politics and society.

Jun 30, 2025 • 57min
Ukraine’s diplomatic-charm offensive across the African continent
Joining the discussion are Simon Brook, a seasoned journalist and communications consultant, along with James Chambers, an Asia editor based in Bangkok, and Ragnar Thovadasen, Iceland's Deputy Head of Mission. They dive into Ukraine's diplomatic outreach to Africa, examining the significance of these new alliances amid the conflict with Russia. The trio explores the historical ties and complexities involved in navigating foreign influences. Other intriguing discussions cover political tensions globally, including potential shifts in various regions amid ongoing crises.