The Monocle Daily

The first meeting between officials since 1993 but will diplomacy make a difference? We discuss what can be achieved as Lebanon and Israel agree to direct negotiations, while attacks between Hezbollah and Israel continue. Plus: Democrats want JD Vance to help oust Trump and Hungary’s Péter Magyar comes out swinging. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We break down the prospect of new US-Iran negotiations as Washington’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continues. Plus: is Hungary’s Viktor Orbán the first far-right domino to fall? And: Japan’s new “guilty consumption” boom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the US announces new military plans to block the Strait of Hormuz, we discuss where escalation could lead to from here. Then: is Cuba next? Plus: what makes a democracy’s leader popular. And: should AI get involved in the afterlife? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Bound joins Andrew Mueller for a quizzical look at the biggest headlines from across the week. Then: garish golf garments, ‘What We Learned’ and a look ahead to Monocle Radio in the UAE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of scheduled peace talks in Pakistan on Saturday, we discuss how much damage Israel has done to the fragile ceasefire with its deadliest attacks on Lebanon since the start of the war. Then: is Nato all but doomed? Plus: should we live in virtual-gated communities? And would you make a video call on a plane? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniella Peled and Yossi Mekelberg consider why the US and Israel agreed a ceasefire in Iran but not Lebanon. Plus: why Pakistan is the Middle East’s mediator. And: are journalists liable for social-media comments? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president warned Iran that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if his demands are not met by the deadline. Then: Russia and the US apprehensively await the Hungarian elections and Kanye West is blocked from entering the UK. Plus: a look behind France’s premier intelligence agency, the DGSE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran and the US examine a proposed ceasefire deal as the two sides trade threats. Russia’s former ally Syria agrees to security cooperation with Ukraine. Plus: the jet fuel crisis strains global aviation. And: the dark side of the moon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah Lucinda Smith and Emma Nelson discuss the consequences for European leaders as they push back against President Donald Trump’s demands in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: Why Brazil is allowing separated couples joint custody over pets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Vladimir Putin issues a public warning to Armenia against forging closer ties with the EU, we assess the seriousness of the threat. Plus: India begins the world’s largest census. We explore why it is so controversial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As China pushes for a swift end to the conflict in the Middle East, we assess whether its role as a peacemaker will work. Plus: Japan’s new rules for cycling come into force today but do they go far enough? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the possible timeline for ending the war in the Middle East, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that more than half of his military aims have been achieved. Plus: Why Eurovision is heading to Bangkok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president has given Cuba a lifeline, despite wanting the country’s socialist leadership to fall. Then: Volodymyr Zelensky uses the Middle East conflict to his advantage and Viktor Orbán flounders on the campaign trail. Plus: how does political satire make light from darkness?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US considers sending 10,000 more troops to the Middle East. Then: Can Mark Carney’s alliance save world trade from Trump? Plus: British museums consider a tourist fee and funeral directors accused of faking reviews.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump takes another swipe at Nato for its caution over the Iran war. Then: is Europe’s far-right firewall fading? Plus: the White House hosts an AI robot and the world’s biggest marathon gets even bigger.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Iraq’s foreign ministry is executing an audacious and rarely seen diplomatic manoeuvre: the double-summoning. Plus: are European holiday makers turning their backs on the beach vacation? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Americans are stuck in hour-long queues at airports while Europeans are battling high fuel prices and Asians are figuring out new ways to get around the Middle East. Nadine Batchelor-Hunt and Isabel Hilton assess the changes to our consumer habits, and government responses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump claims that talks with Iran have yielded results. Is this a sign that the US is looking for an off-ramp? Panellists Yossi Mekelberg and Julie Norman consider the latest from the war with Iran, as well as the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest from the Gulf with our correspondent, Inzamam Rashid. Then: Monocle’s foreign editor, Alexis Self, looks at Greenland and Denmark’s plans for defence. Then: we meet Ian Mulcahey of Gensler at Mipim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EU leaders meet in Brussels as the war in the Middle East overshadows proceedings. Plus: Japan’s prime minister in the White House; France’s new aircraft carrier; and a ‘Letter From’ Goldburn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest on the war in Iran, including how it has started to affect US allies and Ukraine. Plus: the Vatican preaches on the moral obligation of universal healthcare. And: phone bans for Polish classrooms and a report from Mipim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European leaders signal their unwillingness to join the war in Iran. Plus: The repolarisation of French politics. And: if you could deter one thing in your city, what would it be and how? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anand Menon and Rainbow Murray discuss Europe and Canada’s alignment on Iran, why Belgium’s prime minister wants normalisation with Russia and France’s regional elections. Plus: Rebecca C Lubot on presidential succession. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as the US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, downplays the disruption. Plus: Joanna Dudley and Rufus Didwiszus look ahead to their arts projects around the world.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly vowed that Iran will continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: Tira Shubart sends us a letter from Oaxaca.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.