The Briefing

We look ahead to the Nato foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden as questions over a US drawdown remain. What will the American push for ‘greater burden sharing’ look like and who will plug the gaps? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Moscow recovers from huge Ukrainian strikes, Russia’s president prepares to meet Xi Jinping. Then: how one European development bank is expanding operations. Plus: Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen at her new retrospective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of actors have been blacklisted for protesting Vincent Bolloré’s political influence over Canal+. Then: how a shadow network across Europe is helping Russia to evade sanctions. Plus: Monocle on Eurovision 2026.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore how Europe is responding to Russia’s latest large-scale attack on Ukraine. Then: what will the world look like after the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is over? Plus: South African music lands in Kyoto.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with Marie Lora-Mungai, who was on stage in Nairobi when French president Emmanuel Macron implored the audience to show respect, about the viral moment and the future of Africa’s creative industries. Plus: the latest from the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing and a Eurovision-themed ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine pushes for an airport ceasefire after its three-day truce with Russia comes to an end. Plus: Katharine Hayhoe on how climate scientists maintain their optimism in the face of the Trump administration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cabinet members are asked to pledge support for embattled UK prime minister Keir Starmer. Plus: redistricting battles heat up in the US, Thaksin Shinawatra is released from prison and Sweden’s Eurovision entry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An end to the Iran war looks unlikely as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu refuse to entertain Tehran’s demands. Then: a taste of Corsican food in Paris. Plus: the case for Australia Fashion Week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss what next for Donald Trump’s tariffs as he is pushed back for a second time by a US trade court. Then: protests over Russia at the Venice Biennale. Plus: the latest cultural news.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US secretary of state is in Rome for talks with Pope Leo XIV and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, two leaders whose relations with US president Donald Trump have soured. Can Marco Rubio revive them? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Donald Trump backs down from ‘Project Freedom’, Andrew Mueller weighs the likelihood of peace and what it would look like. Plus: Grace Charlton on Paris under its new mayor and a shocking trend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Israel ramps up its killing in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire, we discuss where things could go next. Then: Merz a year on, Romania’s vote of no-confidence and the Venice Biennale.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss Donald Trump’s new plan for the US military to guide stranded ships through the strait of Hormuz. Then: Zambia cites misalignment with ‘national values’ as it cancels major human rights gathering See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the US-Europe security relationship as Donald Trump threatens to pull troops from Italy and Spain after making the same threat to Germany. Is an increasingly antagonistic Trump accelerating European military independence?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s congressional hearing and the broader Iran strategy, plus interest rate decisions in Washington and Frankfurt. Then: ‘The Entrepreneurs’ live in Shanghai and ‘The Global Countdown’ with Fernando Augusto Pacheco.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles III emphasises the need for stronger UK-US ties in an address to Congress. Then: could the EU put sanctions on Israel over the purchase of Ukrainian grain? Plus: the latest from the world of business.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney announces a government-owned fund to invest in projects including energy, mining and other infrastructure. We look at the details. Plus: global military spending rises for an 11th year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the results of the municipal elections in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah and the occupied West Bank. Plus: security questions after the White House correspondents’ dinner shooting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has announced a three-week extension to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire but questions remain over a deal between the US and Iran. Plus: the latest from Monocle at Salone del Mobile and the Delphi Economic Forum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With six months until the US midterms, we take a look at domestic polls to assess how the Trump administration’s actions are playing out at home. Plus: what’s on the agenda at the Delphi Economic Forum and World Book Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at how energy prices are affecting global travel and opening up options beyond flights. Plus: the latest on the US-Iran ceasefire extension with questions continuing over the next round of talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is ending his European trip by meeting Portugal’s president, António José Seguro. We discuss the two nations’ relations. Plus: Has the US lost its shine for China’s top talent? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Days before the ceasefire ends, the US has seized an Iranian vessel as Tehran downplays the prospect of peace talks. What is the path forward? Then: We head to Milan for Salone del Mobile and talk Watches and Wonders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost seven weeks since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran, the Emirati city of Ras al-Khaimah is taking a cautious yet effective approach to its day-to-day business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our team in Sharjah discusses the Iran war’s impact on start-ups in the UAE. Plus: the latest Nordic news and what’s topping music charts in the emirates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.