Affairs
How many staff does it take to run a country? The answer is no joke
In Washington, one gag is growing tired. This week, Donald Trump celebrated the news that the US economy had surpassed expectations, with promising job growth last month. But among federal employees, jokes about how…
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Should Denmark take over the Shetland Islands?
President Trump’s acquisitive gaze has drifted from Greenland, at least for now. Denmark’s pipe-smoking foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, seems to have Jedi mind-tricked the Americans into believing that their military efforts would be…
‘We’ve seen the opposite of peace’: Kosovo’s president, Vjosa Osmani, on her nation’s commitment to democratic values
At the World Governments Summit, the Balkan leader spoke to Monocle about pursuing diplomacy outside of Europe, joining the EU and why she doesn’t take democracy for granted.
Europe’s century of humiliation is just beginning. What will it take to reassert itself?
Following 12 months of buffeting and befuddlement, some commentators are now predicting a coming century of humiliation for Europe. In the interests of avoiding such a humbling, there are several things that the vieux…
Dressed to influence: How World Governments Summit attendees tailored their image
Perfecting the art of diplomacy takes more than words and handshakes. Here are some of the delegates who understood that style speaks volumes, too.
Three unlikely Winter Olympians to watch at Milano Cortina 2026
The Winter Games aren’t just the preserve of snow-seasoned nations. Meet the tropical-nation contenders raising the stakes in Milano Cortina.
Hear that? It’s Slovenia’s ski-jumping team soaring to the top of the podium
A robust training centre, youth development programme and a family of high flyers have helped Slovenia defy gravity and soar to the top of the ski-jumping world.
Why the Winter Olympics are better than the Summer Games
Often seen as a junior partner of the Summer Games, the Winter Olympics are a thrill to watch – and an important diplomatic asset for nations canny enough to participate.
Opinion
In the age of the untouchable strongman, Europe is forced to indulge its autocrats
3 min read
Neutrality is not passive: Dr Anwar Gargash explains the UAE’s diplomatic stance
The adviser to the UAE president explains how Abu Dhabi earned the trust to host conversations between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv.
Carnival is serious business as Brazilian cities battle to be the biggest and the best
Brazil’s biggest party is just days away. Right now, revellers across the country are stocking up on glitter, body paint and fishnet tights. They’re putting the final touches on new costumes or shaking out…
