The Briefing

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.

Istanbul’s mayor is among hundreds facing corruption charges in a trial that his party says is politically motivated. Plus: Paris Fashion Week highlights and we speak to Hyatt’s Felicity Black-Roberts at Mipim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Doha as Qatar warns of dramatic global consequences if the war with Iran continues. Then: elections in Colombia. Plus: we’re off to Cannes to hear about the latest in affordable housing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part two of Tyler Brûlé’s interview with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. Plus: we delve into the appointment of the late Ayatollah Khamenei’s son and consider what it will mean for Iran’s ongoing war with Israel and the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the latest on the Iran war from Dubai and discuss how long defensive ammunition in the Gulf will last against Iranian attacks. Plus: the latest business news and cultural headlines from France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As strikes in Iran continue we get the view from Washington after a bipartisan resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s powers fails in the US Senate. Then: Ukraine’s sought-after drone interceptor technology. Plus: China unveils its next five-year roadmap. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain leads Europe’s opposition to the US-Israel war with Iran, as speculation grows about who will take over from Ayatollah Khamenei. Plus: business news with Bloomberg and we report from Paris Fashion Week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The question of who commands Iran now remains unanswered, Tara Kangarlou joins Georgina Godwin to discuss. Then: aid into Gaza is threatened as the Middle East conflict continues. Plus: urbanism highlights from Monocle’s new magazine.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US and Israeli strikes in Iran have become a regional conflict. Inzamam Rashid gives the latest from Dubai. Plus: does Donald Trump have a plan to resolve the conflict? Then: the threat to global oil markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the shattering of a fragile ceasefire as Pakistan launches overnight attacks on major Afghan cities, including Kabul. Where will the escalation lead and what are the regional implications? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diplomats are once again descending on Geneva as fresh talks on both the US-Iran nuclear deal and the Russia-Ukraine war get under way. We discuss why it appeals as a location and the prospect for progress on either side. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest from Washington following Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Then: we discuss the significance of German rearmament with Liana Fix. Plus: the latest business news and a check-in from Milano Fashion Week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Jenne reflects on four years of war in Ukraine and discusses comments from the country’s ambassador to the UK. Then: we meet Maria Alyokhina, a member of Russian feminist activist group Pussy Riot. Plus: European news with Ed Stocker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with Mike Sfraga, the US’s former ambassador at large for Arctic affairs, about Nordic co-operation. Plus: winners and losers at the Baftas and we meet Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar in Tokyo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.