The Briefing

Our team in Dubai hears from tourism and education voices dealing with conflict in the Gulf region. Plus: Donald Trump turns on Giorgia Meloni. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hezbollah has urged Lebanon to pull out of US-brokered talks with Israel. We speak to the Israeli ambassador to the UAE. Plus: the world’s biggest wine fair in Verona and we chat design in Abu Dhabi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the failure of talks between Washington and Tehran, we discuss why Donald Trump’s next move is a blockade of Iranian ports. Plus, Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, concedes defeat at the polls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel has killed more than 300 people in Lebanon since the ceasefire. We head to Beirut for the latest. Then: Europe watches on as Hungary heads to the polls. Plus: New York City mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fractures emerge in the US-Iran ceasefire as Tehran demands an end to attacks in Lebanon while Washington says that wasn’t part of the deal. Plus: the DNC meet in New Orleans and this week’s ‘The Global Countdown’.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss reactions to the 11th-hour ceasefire between Iran and the US as the UK prime minister prepares to meet Gulf leaders for discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s little sign of a breakthrough as US president Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree a deal or face devastating infrastructure attacks looms. Plus: Orbán faces a tough election, will a visit by US vice-president JD Vance help? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the US-Israel war on Iran continues to send shockwaves across oil markets, we discuss how Asia is coping and what it might mean for Europe. Then: elections in Latin America and newspapers from Switzerland.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the departure of Pam Bondi herald the start of a greater cabinet reshuffle? Plus: a look at life on the Ukrainian frontlines with Anastacia Galouchka, and Asia news with Tom Webb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a presidential first, Donald Trump attended the Supreme Court hearing on the changes to birthright citizenship that his administration is pushing for. Will the conservative-majority justices rule against him? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine marks a grim anniversary in Bucha and pledges an Easter ceasefire. Then: international outcry over Israel’s new death-penalty bill for Palestinians. Plus: Nic Monisse with some exciting design news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran appears to be calling Donald Trump’s bluff by reportedly striking a Kuwaiti oil. Are energy targets now on the table? Plus: London looks to revitalise its fashion-capital status. And: Eurovision heads east. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran-backed Houthis have launched missiles against Israel. We discuss their control over Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and how their involvement could change the conflict. Plus: artist Tim Yip on his show at Art Basel Hong Kong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who has the upper hand at the G7 as US secretary of state Marco Rubio arrives to garner support for military action in Iran while allies push for answers on how the conflict will end? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protests break out in the Philippines over fuel shortages. We discuss the spreading impact of the Middle East conflict. Then: mixed messages on Iran negotiations continue. Plus: this week’s episode of ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakistan offers to host US-Iran peace talks while Iranian officials warn “no one like us will make a deal”. Plus: Danish PM Mette Frederiksen resigns after weak election results and a Japanese pop icon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel promises to continue its campaign in Lebanon. What does it have planned for the country’s south now that a ‘security zone’ has been announced? Plus: Asia oil markets, Italy’s referendum results and Monocle at Mipim.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the winners and losers from France’s municipal elections in Paris, Marseille and across the country. Then: a narrow victory for Slovenia’s incumbent liberal prime minister. Plus: inside Konfekt’s spring issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the damage from strikes in Iran and the Gulf, and whether Israel’s promise to stop targeting Iranian gas fields will do anything to reassure the region. Then: was Sanae Takaichi’s meeting with Trump a success?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the aims of the European Council Summit at a crucial juncture. Plus: Thailand embraces stability as a new prime minister is appointed and what we can learn from the world’s happiest nation? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss how Volodymyr Zelensky is working to put Ukraine back on the agenda as he lands in Madrid after meetings in London and Paris. Plus: Frank McCourt on reclaiming your digital identity and the latest Swiss news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the US president postpones a high-stakes summit with China’s leader, we discuss the mutual strategies at play. Then: France’s municipal election results and Lucas Santtana’s new album, ‘Brasiliano’.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump warns Nato that it must assist the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Can he rely on the US’s allies after a year of berating them? Plus: the surge in oil markets continues. Then: we take stock of the Oscars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss what’s next for Alternative for Germany after a court rules that the party cannot be labelled as an “extremist” group. Plus: an interview with Giorgos Karampelas, creative director of K-Studio, at Mipim 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss how increased attacks across the region are pushing energy prices back up despite a historic release of reserves. Plus: Amanda Driehorst, strategy and sales manager at Schindler, on innovation in “vertical” home mobility. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.