When Turkmenistan’s President Niyazov died in 2006, it was the end of an eccentric personality cult. His successor promised to open the state up but today the gas-rich nation is still an enigma. Foreign journalists are unwelcome but Monocle entered the country to see what, if anything, has changed.

Europe is home to three nations that should be successes but instead are failing badly. Over the following pages, we look at their problems – from corruption to constitutional meltdown.

Palestinians and Israelis are among the first intake at the new Euro-Mediterranean University. Embodying the ideals of Nicolas Sarkozy’s Mediterranean Union, it’s an attempt to create a new generation of cooperative leaders for the region.

At the 2007 Oscars three Mexican film directors received 16 nominations between them, but in their homeland, the industry is lagging. Monocle meets the next generation of filmmakers, whose dream is to turn talent into commercial success.

As skyscrapers are built ever higher, and architecture becomes more complex, there is a demand for elevator systems that can move thousands of people in minutes. A leading manufacturer, Schindler, is investing in double-decker lifts and sky lobbies as it faces these new challenges.

These three businesses are blazing a trail in fashion retailing – either through the inspired makeover of a heritage brand, a cleverly curated mix of labels or modern-classic fashion shown in an inspiring retail environment.

The world’s top menswear show, Pitti Uomo, has not escaped the effects of the consumer spending slow-down or big label defections. But the brands on show this summer were taking new directions and exhibiting strong and innovative products.

Bullet-proof training in Colombia, the US's Project Laundry List and plans for new high-speed rail.

Turkish Military Academy, rebranding Italy and Angela Merkel's official transport of choice.

China rediscovers the bicycle as oil prices soar while disaffected Japanese youths flirt with communism.

Syrian first lady Adma Al-Assad's outfits; wine-tasting classes for poor South Africans.

The French flock to Pacific colony New Caledonia and Asian students shun Australian universities.

Defence special: tension hotspots; Russian submariners get rescue lessons with the Norwegians.

Ukrainian chicken farming ruffles feathers, and Hong Kong gets a taste for the grape.

A report from the UK's Farnborough Airshow, Tokyo's only boutique hotel gets a makeover, Air Dolomiti's expansion, plus essential addresses in Madrid.

A news kiosk on Pushkin Square in Moscow, and this month's new music, film, art and music.

The first in a new series looking at the world of buying and selling art. This month: a Q&A with Christie's specialist Carina Villinger and Damien Hirst's forthcoming Sotheby's sale.

Japanese bentwood homewares, Vicente Guallart's Spanish coastline de-clutter and Danish Mountain Dwellings.

Sisterly New York womenswear label Lialia, some legendary Japanese denim hits europe, plus Makr's vintage-feel wallets.

Two years after the war with Israel, another battle was raging in Lebanon among its own people. But as the bullets flew, there was still time for mojitos – the Lebanese are used to surviving crises. Our correspondent records the rollercoaster of events.

In our series on emerging business hubs we reveal why you should invest in Pune, India’s booming IT and industrial design centre. But beware: success is already putting strains on the city’s transport system and energy supply.

After 40 years of selling Danish pastries in Japan, Andersen has opened in Denmark. The firm is giving rivals (there are 975 bakeries in the country) a run for their money by using only the best natural ingredients.

Monocle has tracked down the perfect bespoke bike, with good looks and clever details, lovingly made by a family-run firm.

With a presence in Russia since 1989, Finnish retailer Stockmann faces its biggest setback there yet after its Moscow department store was forced to close. The unfazed CEO Hannu Penttilä explains why he is sticking to his eastern expansion plans.

As part of our series on the foreign media coverage of the US presidential election, Aya Igarashi of ‘The Yomiuri Shimbun’ explains why Japan is worried about having a Democrat in the White House.

Colombian newspaper ‘El Espectador’ has survived financial woes, falling sales and a drugs cartel vendetta. Monocle meets its director as part of our series on firms keeping high-quality print publishing alive in an increasingly digital world.

As summer starts to fade (or never arrives), it’s time to sharpen up sartorially with some key pieces from the new season’s collections – ideal for making a subtle statement back in the office or on that last-minute flight to somewhere a bit warmer.

Despite the rather unsettled summer in Lebanon, it was business as usual at the iconic 1960s Sporting Club – or simply ‘Sporting’ if you’re a Gemayzeh resident.

With summer holidays a fading memory, Monocle revamps its autumn back-to-work wardrobe with luxe fabrics, tailored looks and bags of style.

A Japanese label machine, bracing Viennese shower gel, a modern take on the Lebanese nargile and Spanish nursery furniture. Plus, Tokyo's Mareesia Garden hotel and a pool near Porto.

In the first of a regular monthly series of international street profiles, we popped down to Lamb’s Conduit Street for a stroll, some tapas and a little retail reconnaissance.

Inujirushi has been supplying robust canvas bags with leather trimmings for the past 50 years, thriving on customer loyalty rather than marketing or advertising. Only recently has it opened a shop, in the neighbourhood it has called home since it started business.

The South Korean capital is shaking off its reputation as an architectural eyesore – and the southern district of Apgujeong is leading the charge. Its open-air cafés, boutiques and proximity to Dosan Park mean it is one of the best places to buy an apartment in the city.

Jacob Jensen’s products for Bang & Olufsen made design history in the 1960s and 1970s, but his design philosophy is perhaps more relevant today than ever. For an imaginary final lunch he chooses the “incredibly well-designed” garfish, a meal that his mother cooked in the late 1930s.

Few architects would know how to build their own designs. that’s where the ghost laboratory comes in: this visionary two-week summer camp in rugged nova scotia gives students and qualified architects the chance to practise building in its purest and most hands-on form. But would this year’s intake create liveable buildings or would they get carried away trying to make a statement? It was a close shave.

The recipe for creating the perfect community is a complex one, but one thing people everywhere are realising is that the likes of Starbucks are no longer welcome, says our editor in chief Tyler Brûlé.