Diplomacy
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Gulf states project an image of unity but a proxy media war tells a different story
Under normal circumstances, the Gulf monarchies are at pains to project an image of calm, cohesion and predictability. Disputes are managed quietly and disagreements smoothed over with summitry and ritual declarations of unity. But…
Last weekend’s events in Venezuela were a textbook US intervention. But how long can Trump stick to the script?
We've seen this all before, but is this president patient enough to stick to the playbook of interventionism seen in Panama and beyond?
Opinion
The Gulf is finally launching a unified tourist visa – but why did it take this long?
2 min read
Inside Hanaholmen, the secretive Nordic retreat where diplomats shape Europe’s future
On a small island off Helsinki is an institution where key political figures from Finland and Sweden meet to discuss geopolitical issues, in a space away from the pressurised corridors of power.
Monocle’s 2025 Soft Power Survey – who is quietly gaining or losing influence in a multipolar world
Which country’s cultural influence grew and whose slumped in the past 12 months? We take a look at six nations.
Is a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict viable? ‘A Land for All’ has an audacious vision
Lawyer May Pundak and political scientist Rula Hardal are reframing coexistence with a radical plan that goes beyond a two-state solution; shared borders, shared institutions and shared responsibility.
Timor-Leste steps onto the regional stage as it joins Asean after long-awaited accession
Asia’s youngest country and Asean’s latest member might be small but it’s ready to get to work. We speak to president José Ramos-Horta to explore what’s next.
What Macron’s Dior habit says about the politics of the presentation and the smell of success
Can a person’s use of perfumes be an attribute of dominance? Reports say that the French president certainly thinks so.
UAE’s Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi on how smart diplomacy can bridge a polarised world
Emphasising the importance of dialogue and hope amid challenges in the middle east.
Threads of power: How global leaders’ style shapes their influence
What world leaders wear – and how they project power, prestige or playfulness – matters. Who said that style doesn’t make the world go round, command armies or inspire faith?
