The Monocle Daily

As Vladimir Putin tells Iran it has Moscow’s support, what is he saying to Washington? Then: is the UAE trying to make itself indispensable around the world? Plus: has the price of gold made museum heists less sophisticated? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Chancellor Merz prepares to point the finger at Moscow for hybrid attacks in Leipzig, how has Germany’s foreign policy changed over the last few years? Plus: When does Japanese etiquette go too far? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We examine the steep decline of the loyalty scheme and spotlight two luxury brands that are bucking the trend. Plus: Andrew Mueller defends his title in the weekly quiz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Moscow confirms the director of the CIA’s not-so-clandestine visit, we discuss what was on the agenda. Then: The Butcher of Bosnia dies and Syria starts shopping. Plus: Should you consider hotel-first trips? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid Oman’s negotiations with Iran, how is mediation changing? Then: Can a national crisis have a silver lining for soft power? Plus: Is Trump hoping to give 1968 a run for its money when it comes to the US convention? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has removed Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism after 47 years. What will this actually mean in practice? Then: does the way political parties are funded affect democratic integrity? Plus: why is the Middle East investing in Europe’s leisure economy? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guy de Launey and the panellists discuss how to understand the reality of a situation when two sparring countries are bloviating. Plus: is fishing the EU’s downfall? And: a book revealing the hidden characters of Cuba. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Nelson is joined by Erich Hoesli and Eveline Rosa to discuss the elimination of tariffs on almost all Swiss exports to China and whether learning a new language can AI-proof your career. Plus: Swiss trends in the travel and hospitality industry and Andrew Mueller’s ‘What We Learned’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is mulling a major troop pull-back from the Gulf – is this a victory for Iran? Then: What will Latin Americans give up for security? Plus: Monocle’s September issue has some useful life lessons.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are Trump’s tariff threats against Canada burning bridges with the US’s favourite neighbour? Then: Meta on trial, hardship bonuses for diplomats and does bigger mean better when it comes to airports? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August 2021, Taliban fighters took control of the presidential palace in Kabul and re-established control over the whole country. Five years on, we look at how media access and the freedom of expression continue to be eroded.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is a budding superpower but the US and UK still dominate global university charts, even those by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. We hear from economist Guy Standing, plus our panel of Alex von Tunzelmann and Mark Earls weigh in on why autocrats still send their kids to Harvard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Bound returns to defend his ‘The Daily Weekly Quiz’ title. We head to the Gulf, North Korea and Australia for tips on how to beat the heat. Plus: stuck at home in August? Book recommendations that will whisk you away.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are increasingly co-operating militarily. How steadfast is this alliance and should it worry the West? Plus: Germany’s ‘spy revolution’, Karoline Leavitt leaves and the pros and cons of Unesco’s World Heritage List.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine halts strikes on Russia’s tankers as per JD Vance’s request. Then: Donald Trump’s catering van controversy, French journalists go to war with AI and we get down to “Swissness”.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sea Legend shipping company is launching the first regular container service along Russia’s northern Arctic coast. Then: the World Bank helps Lebanon with its digital transformation. And: France says ‘non’ to unsolicited telemarketing calls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rejected by Israel and left out by Oman: is Donald Trump losing influence in the Middle East? Then: plans to change the French parliament spark outrage. And: would you wear air-conditioned clothing?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We examine the significance for the region and the world at the announcement of a new Middle East security deal. Then: our weekly quiz, chairs to make the neighbours jealous and ‘What We Learned’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia, China and the US are teaming up for global law enforcement. Then: the left’s media machine, London’s pigeon war and we settle the debate over packing light versus packing heavy once and for all.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Democratic Party redefines itself, Tira Shubart and Phil Tinline explore what lessons European centre-left parties are taking from the US. Plus: who is responsible for protecting the lunar environment? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Taiwan tests how the public responds to limited internet connectivity, Mark Leonard and Aliona Hlivco look into how to prepare a society to function when it’s suddenly offline. Plus: Brazilian designer Duda Lopes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran’s foreign ministry is discussing a new Strait of Hormuz shipping route with Oman. Julie Norman and Mark Earls explore Oman’s soft-power influence. Plus: what makes residents spend a weekend in their own city? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our weekly quiz dives into Anthony Fauci’s diary and public nuisances in Singapore. Then: as Europeans drive off on their holidays, our Monocle contributors give you their recommendations for the best food, tunes and etiquette while on the road.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inga Thordar and Alexander Görlach on Iceland’s looming EU referendum and why the organisation is popular again. Plus: an aerial-firefighting CEO and shortcuts to a happier summer from our ‘Med, Mountains & More’ newspaper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Waterhouse joins us from Lacanau, where French water bombers are refilling from a nearby lake to fight the fires. Our panel of Ash Bhardwaj and Zoë Grünewald assess the fallout for tourism and politics.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.