Monocle preview: December/January issue, 2021

Monocle Films: Monocle’s December/January double issue looks ahead to 2021. Monocle’s December/January double issue looks ahead to a new era of US foreign policy, goes on a culinary tour of Switzerland and wraps up the season’s coolest coats.

Film 2 min video

‘There was a feeling in Beijing that Donald Trump wasn’t treating America’s traditional Asian allies particularly well, and therefore China could put pressure on them.’

– Rana Mitter, University of Oxford China Centre

Monocle 24 Radio
The Briefing 30 min listen

The Monocle Minute

Tiers of influence

When the UK’s chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak, unveiled the government’s spending plans yesterday afternoon, one figure caught our eye – that of the nation’s foreign-aid budget, cut by a staggering £4bn (€4.48bn), representing a drop from 0.7 per cent of gross national income to 0.5 per cent. While it’s true that 2020 has been a tough year – and, financially, 2021 isn’t looking as though it will be much better – the choice to slash Britain’s foreign aid is disappointing, if not all that surprising to those who have been paying attention. Rather it’s the latest indication that the UK’s approach to soft power and its standing on the global stage has drifted.

Featured podcasts and chapters

Monocle Reads: Craig Brown

Craig Brown’s Beatles biography, ‘One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time’, won the 2020 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. The journalist and author of 18 books been writing his parodic diary in ‘Private Eye’ since 1989 and is the only person to have won three different Press Awards – best humourist, columnist and critic – in the same year. He speaks to Georgina Godwin.

Meet the Writers 21 min listen

Extra: Australia’s home-building pioneers

Pettit+Sevitt pioneered architect-designed project homes in 1960s Australia. We talk about the firm’s legacy and revival.

Monocle on Design 6 min listen

Food Neighbourhoods 212: Recipe edition, Thomas Keller

The owner and chef of one of the world’s most successful restaurants, The French Laundry, shares one of his favourite recipes with us.

The Menu 3 min listen

‘Cook, Eat, Repeat’ by Nigella Lawson

We discuss the balance of stories, recipes and personality in cookery books through the lens of Nigella Lawson’s new volume, ‘Cook, Eat, Repeat’. Robert Bound is joined by food writers Felicity Cloake and Olivia Potts and we hear from Lawson herself about the sort of recipes she wanted to write about.

Monocle on Culture 476 30 min listen

On air now

The Pacific Shift

The Pacific Shift brings you music from around the Pacific Rim, Asia and beyond. J-pop, K-pop, T-pop and more, Monocle is the soundtrack to your day by the Pacific.

Up next: Meet the Writers

Latest Podcasts

Thursday 26 November

Has an error in the AstraZeneca and University of Oxford vaccine trial set back the fight against coronavirus? Plus: why Boris Johnson is wooing Joe Biden, and the Helsinki restaurateurs joining forces for Christmas.

The Late Edition 20 min listen

The fate of the CBD

We explore ways to evolve our city centres and ensure their survival in a post-pandemic world.

The Urbanist 30 min listen

Thursday 26 November

Can Seoul and Beijing help to build lasting peace on the Korean peninsula? Plus: why EU nations want to ban Turkey’s ‘Grey Wolves’; Andrew Mueller looks back on the colourful life of Diego Maradona; and Fernando Augusto Pacheco explores France’s music charts.

The Briefing 30 min listen

Thursday 26 November

We hear about some bad press for Japan’s prime minister over travel restrictions and Boris Johnson’s plans to align himself with Joe Biden. Plus: a look back at the life of Diego Maradona.

The Globalist 60 min listen

Latest Films

Monocle preview: December/January issue, 2021

Our annual Soft Power Survey reveals the countries whose cultural ambassadors, diplomatic missions, skilled messaging and tasty food have seen them make the grade in 2020. The December/January double issue also looks ahead to a new era of US foreign policy, goes on a culinary tour of Switzerland and wraps up in the season’s coolest coats.Available now at The Monocle Shop

1 min video

The home of the Finnish art scene

We tour the breathtaking studios of artists’ residence Lallukka in Helsinki, which hasn’t changed its purpose since it was completed in 1933. The landmark functionalist building offers spaces at low rents so that its tenants can focus on one thing: making art.

7 min video

Monocle preview: The Forecast, 2021

Hands up who’s looking forward to 2021? Monocle is too and The Forecast is our optimistic and informed take on the year ahead. From the offices showing why communal working is here to stay to the changing world of espionage, our global coverage will put a spring in your step. Plus: which city comes top of our Small Cities Index?Available now at The Monocle Shop

1 min video

Monocle preview: November issue, 2020

As a landmark US election approaches, Jane Fonda, Theaster Gates and Chris Wallace offer their thoughts on where the country should go next. Change elsewhere comes in the form of city farms, the latest design finds and an art fair redux. Plus: we survey North Rhine-Westphalia, a region on the up.Available now at The Monocle Shop

1 min video

Latest issue

Issue 139 ∙ December 2020/January 2021

As we prepare to ring in 2021, it’s time to look back and assess which countries are flying high in our annual Soft Power Survey. There’s plenty to take stock of in Monocle’s end-of-year December/January issue: from a range of voices on what’s next for the US, to the power of rural reinvention and the big business of looking forward. We’ve got all your holiday prepping sorted, too, with an inspiring 15-page gift guide – and an extensive run-down of all the books, TV shows and films that will keep you stimulated this winter.

Previous issues

The Forecast 2021

Monocle’s annual special issue The Forecast is your guide to the year ahead. It’s full of thoughtful advice and predictions from a diverse range of experts hailing from the worlds of fashion, business, aviation and more. Whether you’re wondering which cities are best for start-ups or what sort of art to invest in, the 2021 edition of The Forecast will steer you in the smart direction.

Issue 138 ∙ November 2020

“Time for change” is the theme of Monocle’s November issue. It’s packed with inspiration, ideas and long reads covering everything from urban heroes who are improving cities to businesses on the rise and voices from the media in US swing states. Inside is everything you need to rethink how the worlds of politics, business, design and travel work. Plus: offbeat wines, fashion fixes and canny developers to watch.

Free to read in this issue

New horizon

In Sweden’s far north a revolution is under way that could transform how Europe lights its cities and powers its industries. We take a trip to Norrbotten, where the future is looking green.

10 min read

Group dynamics

Having established their own community spaces, two artistic initiatives are finding strength in collective endeavour. We meet the people behind a new global arts destination in London and the duo whose converted power station is energising a German city.

7 min read

Let’s party

Buy once and well, that’s our motto. Here are a few picks for the season.

7 min read

Subscribe to the Monocle newsletters

Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.

Monocle preview: December/January issue, 2021

Extra: Australia’s home-building pioneers

Tiers of influence

Monocle Christmas Market

Drawing on History

North Rhine-Westphalia Survey

Barcelona, dreaming of a bright Christmas

Featured podcasts and chapters

Monocle Reads: Craig Brown

Extra: Australia’s home-building pioneers

Food Neighbourhoods 212: Recipe edition, Thomas Keller

‘Cook, Eat, Repeat’ by Nigella Lawson

On air now

The Pacific Shift

Latest Podcasts

Thursday 26 November

The fate of the CBD

Thursday 26 November

Thursday 26 November

Latest Films

Monocle preview: December/January issue, 2021

The home of the Finnish art scene

Monocle preview: The Forecast, 2021

Monocle preview: November issue, 2020

Latest issue

Issue 139 ∙ December 2020/January 2021

Previous issues

The Forecast 2021

Issue 138 ∙ November 2020

Free to read in this issue

New horizon

Group dynamics

Let’s party

Featured products

Bally x Monocle Curling boot

Leuchtturm1917 x Monocle Weekly diary 2021

Porter x Monocle Shorthauler bag

Monocle The Monocle Book of Gentle Living

Featured categories and collections

Leuchtturm1917 x Monocle

Comme des Garçons x Monocle

Pump Up The Volume(s) collection

Proteca x Monocle

Subscribe to the Monocle newsletters

Minute & Weekend Editions

Thursday 26 November 2020

The Bulletin with UBS

Nikkei Asian Review

Nov 30 - Dec 6

Sign in to your account

Change your currency