Monocle 24: The Globalist

A week after Hungarians booted out Viktor Orbán in favour of the pro-European Union Péter Magyar, Bulgarians headed to the polls considering the opposite: many are eager to elect the Russia-friendly Rumen Radev. Bruno Kaufmann joins us from Sofia. Plus, the latest on Iran, Israel and Lebanon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monocle team returns to Dubai to consider how the UAE has remained more resilient than headlines might suggest. We’re joined by Ted Kemp, chief content officer of ‘Khaleej Times’, the UAE’s longest-running English-language newspaper. Then: Christie’s auction house in the Middle East and news from Paris, London and Bangkok.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Monocle lands in Sharjah to see how the UAE has built resilience into its global trade and bet on education to further develop its status as an international hub. Plus: the latest from Indonesia and the Nordics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our team is in Dubai for a look at the business and investment community’s view and the impact of a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: The Avenue, Dubai’s cultural hub and anchor in times of conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re live from the UAE to discuss the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the state of tourism in the Gulf. Plus: papers from London and Zürich, and a look inside Abu Dhabi’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the view from the UAE and assess Donald Trump’s next move after peace talks in Islamabad collapse. Plus: the economic impact of the Iran war and the papers from Paris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakistan brokered a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, with Donald Trump crediting conversations with prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, as decisive for the deal. But high-stakes talks in Islamabad this weekend will test whether a lasting peace agreement can be reached as JD Vance leads the US delegation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The actions of the US in Iran have tested allies and diminished confidence in Washington’s global influence. Amid the fragile two-week ceasefire with Tehran, president Trump met with Nato chief, Mark Rutte. We discuss what’s at stake for the alliance and if Brand USA can rebuild trust abroad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Iran agree to a provisional two-week ceasefire while war skeptic JD Vance visits the administration’s biggest ally in Europe. Plus: EU defence loans for Poland and the business of opera with Bassem Akiki.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest from the Gulf with Monocle’s regional correspondent Inzamam Rashid. Plus: a flick through the international papers, aviation news and why Switzerland’s president is proposing to restrict wine imports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Israel hint at a two-week deadline for the Middle East war, though diplomatic efforts have stalled. Then: Artemis II takes humans to record-breaking distances; Myanmar’s new president and Turner Prize-winner Rachel Whiteread. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, continues his Asian trip South Korea. Then: How are governments responding to the global oil crisis? Plus: Bosnian footballers get diplomatic passports. And: Chocolate from Paris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Orion capsule orbits Earth before heading to the Moon, we discuss how the new space race will shape global politics. Then: Is the war in Iran changing attitudes to nuclear proliferation? Plus: Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the build-up of US troops in the Middle East, Trump has announced that the war may end soon. Then: Pakistan emerges as an unlikely mediator. Plus: how do you count the population of India?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was met with protests and support in Berlin for talks with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, including on whether to repatriate Syrians. We assess how Syrians view their new president, whether they’re likely to return and what Al-Sharaa wants from European leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Military drones are everywhere: Ukraine is helping defend Gulf nations and Russia is helping Iran’s attack. We assess the impact of drones in Ukraine and Iran, and the link between the two conflicts following Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe braces for the economic fallout from the war in Iran as the OECD warns of a surge in prices. Plus: the impact on global aviation. Then: what we learned this week and Art Basel heads to Hong Kong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio is expected to join the second day of the G7 foreign-ministers meeting outside Paris. Can he turn around the cooling attitudes from allies that have infuriated Trump? Plus: Tyler Brûlé on the world’s 10 best airports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We untangle the mixed messages from the US and Iran and discuss how talks to end the war could move forward. Then: Belarus’s president, Alexander Lukashenko, visits North Korea and Estée Lauder and Puig in talks to merge. Plus: an interview with Argentinian duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen finalises a trade deal with Australia after years of talks. Plus: Danish election and Italian referendum results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.