Affairs Report: A very civil service - Nation states
What would a modern state look like if it put all of its ministries out to tender, employing the best foreign governments and private companies to run them? This is Monocle's cabinet reshuffle.
Affairs Report: Uniform approach - The world
There's a growing move for nations to outsource everything from their military to postal services that, properly harnessed, could raise standards and redefine what makes a country. This is who we would employ.
Affairs Report: Fighting talk - The military
We've called on our team and leading thinkers to take a view on the forces, people and policies that will shape 2008.
Affairs Report: Up for adoption - Global - 10 policy initiatives
Ministers and mayors hoping for re-election in 2008 should study these public policy initiatives with care.
Q&A: The long view - Jonathan Raban - Seattle, USA
Jonathan Raban, novelist and travel writer.
Affairs Report: The Way Ahead - Peter Reid - US: peace offerings
Peter Reid, vice-president for communications at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, predicts a more liberal approach to foreign relations in a future Clinton White House.
Q&A: The long view - Raúl Abreu Lastra - Mexico City, Mexico
Raúl Abreu Lastra, director of social policy initiatives at think-tank Fundación Idea.
Q&A: The long view - Colin I Bradford Jr - Washington DC, USA
Colin I Bradford Jr, non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute.
Q&A: The long view - Ferruccio de Bortoli - Milan, Italy
Ferruccio de Bortoli, editor-in-chief of Il Sole 24 Ore, takes the long view.
Affairs Report: Shaking it up - The world - Power personalities
Monocle profiles three leaders whose influence will continue to grow and grooms two necessary leaders of its own.
Q&A: The long view - Hanna Anbar - Lebanon
Hanna Anbar, editor of Lebanon's 'The Daily Star'.
Q&A: The long view - Ilkka Kanerva - Helsinki, Finland
Ilkka Kanerva, Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Affairs Report: The Way Ahead - Malcolm Cook - China: power games
Malcolm Cook, programme director for the Asia Pacific region at the Lowy Institute, outlines the dilemmas China will face as it embraces superpower status.
Affairs Report: Five alive - New regions - Five territories to watch
Which territories and nations are due their turn in the international spotlight?
Q&A: The long view - Surin Pitsuwan - Bangkok, Thailand
Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister of Thailand, now ASEAN secretary-general.
Affairs Report: Early warning - The world - Five to be wary of
Monocle takes a look at the organisations, countries and people who are destined to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2008.
Affairs Report: The Way Ahead - Michael Shifter - Latin America: trading places
Michael Shifter, vice-president for policy at the Inter-American Dialogue, foresees a Latin America free from US dependence.
Affairs Report: Iron in Zion - Tel Aviv
Israel is building Iron Dome, an anti-missile shield. If it works, it could change the pace of diplomacy in the region and beyond.
Q&A: The long view - Paula Scher - New York, USA
Paula Scher, Principal at Pentagram.
Q&A: The long view - Mark Leonard - London, UK
Mark Leonard, European Council on Foreign Relations.
Q&A: The long view - Simon Anholt - London, UK
Simon Anholt, Government adviser.
Affairs Report: The Way Ahead - Michael Axworthy - Iran: talk is cheap
Michael Axworthy, academic, author and former head of the Iran section at the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office, looks at how the diplomatic turmoil surrounding that country might play out.
Business Report: Window of opportunity - Global roundup - 10 investments
Monocle has identified 10 business opportunities worthy of investment. A mixture of fresh ideas and proven concepts ready for other markets.
Business Report: Shop flawless - Seoul, Helsinki, London, Tokyo & Taipei
We profile five retail giants that should act as benchmarks for other floundering businesses.
Business Report: Taking account - The world - Lars Seier Christensen
Lars Seier Christensen, co-CEO of Denmark's Saxo Bank, believes SWFs will shift the world's economic balance in favour of Asia.
Business Report: Taking account - The world - Brian Redican
Brian Redican of Macquarie Bank recommends working with China, rather than against it.
Business Report: Taking account - The world - Christian Gattiker-Ericsson
Christian Gattiker-Ericsson, head of equity and strategy research at Bank Julius Baer, sees more pressure for economies reliant on ageing workforces.
Business Report: Techno tradition - Kyoto
Kyoto is the traditional home of Japanese artisans who make highly detailed ceramics and perfectly woven silks. That same set of skills has also helped it become the country's hi-tech heartland.
Culture Briefing: Cultural calendar - Music
Our pick of the best new music coming your way in the next 12 months.
Culture Briefing: Franz Manola - Austria
Austria and Switzerland will host the 2008 European Football Championship in June, and Austria's state broadcaster ORF is looking forward with trepidation to covering the event in HD. Monocle spoke to Franz Manola, head of ORF ON.
Culture Report: Art corps - Global
We asked five creative contenders to peer into their cultural crystal balls and tell us what they see for 2008 and beyond.
Culture Briefing: Cultural calendar - Books
We predict the major publishing trends of the coming year.
Culture Report: Arte & Craft - Strasbourg
Monocle paid a visit to Arte TV, a haven for high-end broadcasting, to look at the challenges posed by the switch to high-definition television.
Culture Briefing: Cultural calendar - Visual arts
Monocle forecasts the key art appointments of 2008.
Culture Briefing: Cultural calendar - Film
A guide to the essential movies of 2008.
Design Report: Fresh start - Austria
The Lanserhof spa epitomises how Austria is stealing Switzerland's reputation for being the home of healthcare and Alpine modernity.
Design Report: Skill set - The world
Monocle names the design talents to watch in 2008.
Fashion: Off the rails - Verbania
By taking a unique approach to product-sourcing, Victor La Fleur has built a miniature clothing empire in his hometown.
Fashion: Naval gazing - Hydra
Where better to take shelter for a few days off-season than the island of Hydra, the heart of Greece’s maritime history.
Design Report: Roots finder - The world
Today's consumers want authenticity and, as many companies have found, they're happy to pay for it.
Residence: Natural by design - Nagano
Monocle visits Professor Yoshifumi Nakamura at his eco-friendly weekend retreat, tucked away in the hills of Japan's Nagano region.
Fashion: Stockists, issue 09
Stockists details for issue 09 of Monocle magazine.
Inventory: Gift guide No. 9 - Dec 2007/Jan 2008
With just one month until the holiday season, we've compiled a wish-list of gifts we'd like to find under our Norwegian spruce.
The Specialist: Timing is everything - Shizukuishia
We get a first-hand view of how the Grand Seiko watch series is created.
Property Prospectus: Nimmanhaemin - Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city, and its metropolitan air is acting as a magnet for creative industries in the region.
My Last Meal: Ration nation - Michael Ware, Correspondent
CNN's man in Baghdad, Michael Ware, chooses Thai restaurant Asian for his final supper.
End Point: Observation - Issue 09
Our editor in chief reveals what his perfect day would look and feel like.
Special Edition: Travel Top 50
In the first of a series of monocle special editions we've come up with an eclectic ranking of global travel that will act as a reference over the year ahead.