If you’re Germany, you have no option but to assert yourself globally with a softly, softly approach. Since the fall of the Wall, Germany’s foreign office has become master of gently promoting ‘Brand Germany’, with Berlin as the jewel in its decidely understated crown.

It’s an isolated chip off the old Russian bloc that’s surrounded by wealthier EU nations. Its future is anyone’s guess – military outpost or beach resort? But with a dynamic leader and wise investment, Kaliningrad could make its remoteness work.

Once a provincial backwater, the Jordanian port town of Aqaba is in the midst of a vast regeneration programme that will reposition it as the ‘gateway to the Levant’.

What would the US be without the hamburger? Like a country without a decent urban commuter bike. And that’s been the case, until Specialized set up a workshop in California to produce new designs that are tarmac-lickin’ good.

Harris Tweed is woven in a beautiful setting by workers in their own homes. But all is not as idyllic as it sounds. With the closing of its largest mill, it’s crunch time for the business. The question is, can things be turned around?

Today most countries prefer to assert their international identity with artists not armies. We profile the cultural missions of four countries out to win friends with dancing dragons and alternative art.

The AP Møller School in Schleswig, northern Germany, is luring design aficionados with its groundbreaking architecture. School has never been so cool, or soft power so clever.

Although buyers’ budgets were cinched in and high-end fashion was kept in mothballs, the mood at this summer’s menswear show Pitti Uomo remained optimistic. This was reflected in the light, bright collections.

How do you make voting simpler, appealing and important? It’s a challenge Norway has tried to solve. The solution is a vote winner.

Makoto Tanijiri’s work is brimming with fresh ideas. At just 35 years old, he is one of Japan’s most promising visionary architects. This inspired home, built in the sprawling suburbs of Nagoya, shows why.

Bahraini Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo has broken the diplomatic mould by being a young Jewish woman representing an Arab country abroad. With her island nation’s proximity to Iran, relations with that country occupy much of her time, as well as US Jewish investment in Bahrain.

The new leaders tasked with saving Eastern Europe from economic doom, the Swedish town that's delighted it's being dumped on, and why French holidaymakers might want to take out more travel insurance.

Bolian president Evo Morales and his penchant for ponchos, Chile and Peru's pointless weapons race and dating for lonely Canadian farmers. Also, in our View from Washington column, we look at one of Barack Obama's many dilemmas - whether to allow visitors from "friendly countries" to land on US soil without a visa.

Somaliland does democracy (while the rest of the world denies the country's existence), Yemen's president claims he's been a crime-fighting success (while his country goes into meltdown), and it's back to school in Gaza (while the blockade of basic materials such as cardboard boxes and toothbrushes, continues). In South Africa, officials are preparing for next year's World Cup by putting up a luxury camping site in a game park.

Monocle talks to Japanese designers, architects and businessmen about what their country needs, post-election. Plus, Hong Kong combats its pollution, and Japan welcomes Chinese tourists - as long as they've got money to burn.

New Zealand's prime minister and his choice of transport, and Australia's renewed efforts to get people on their bikes.

The new hi-tech armoured vehicles destined for US and UK troops in Afghanistan and a new mine-resistant jacket from a Columbian bullet-proof clothing maker. Plus, why back problems are adding to the hardship of life in combat.

Syria opens its first privately owned winery, East Africa gets wired up to global broadband, and business booms for the small weapons trade. In Europe, Barcelona takes a cue from the Gulf and starts a major investment in its airline.

Previously shunned by American TV companies, Al Jazeera is finally making its way in the US, CNN's new global take on the day's news, and Alain de Botton's experience as Heathrow Airport's first writer in residence.

The best of the latest films, books, music and art.

The chairman of Phillips de Pury talks us through his company's forthcoming art sales, plus the latest event from Paris and our new series featuring galleries and their owners.

Boy's clothes for girls from BD Baggies, a new collaboration from Barbour, Burlington's transformation and the latest collection from Boglioli, Monocle also talks to the founder of Osano, whose new jewellery brand Ecojewel aims to be ethical and carbon-neutral.

Japanese hand-crafted kitchenware, social housing in Vienna that doesn't compromise quality of life and a Portuguese hillside winery that passes our design taste-test.

Presidents take his calls and children in 128 countries hang on his every word. But Magnus Scheving, creator of the TV show ‘LazyTown’, is also a reluctant national icon (to be blunt, he thinks he may have outgrown his small nation).

Faced with the recession and competition from retail giants and online sellers, small bookshops have been disappearing fast from our high streets. But there’s one London gem that’s a textbook example of how to buck the trend.

While we’re hoping for an Indian summer, it won’t do any harm to start choosing a few pieces for those colder days. Our key selects for the season offer looks for work and play.

When we’re in the Japanese capital, there’s one bar we always return to – the 1970s timewarp and unbeatable cocktails of the Brillant Bar at the Keio Plaza. Where better to showcase a few new pieces from our favourite retailers, accessorised with a round of whisky highballs?

In this month’s rundown of vital life improvements we have a two-faced candle, a three-legged stool and 12 notebooks to get you through the coming year.

This month we launch a new travel edit with a focus on great service and put the spotlight on some of Bavaria’s finest new hostelries. Plus, overleaf, there’s dining in Tokyo, a Zürich café that plays musical chairs and a retail concept that’s hit the road running.

This month in our series on independent retail strips we shop for rare Nordic design, good coffee, well-loved books and violins on Thereses gate.

Based in the Italian Alps, Valgrisa shows an alternative to mass-production by using locally sourced lambswool and centuries-old techniques.

If you’re willing to put your faith in the financial and social changes that Madrid’s council is currently promoting and move to the city, then the relaxed Bourbon style of the Malasaña neighbourhood is the ideal place to start your ‘Madriz’ property portfolio.

Jørgen Bodum is the 60-year-old CEO of the kitchenware company that bears his name. A Swiss resident, he gets his kicks from freshly peeled shrimps and a dip in the ocean when he makes it back to his native Denmark.

Jealous of the British-inspired Commonwealth Games and the Jeux de la Francophonie for nations of the former French empire, Portugal has created the Jogos da Lusofonia. In a world of soft power, pole vaulters and sprinters are the new ambassadors for old colonial clubs.

While countries the world over try and win friends and influence people with their national cuisine, musical talent or high-quality schools, there’s something that everyone seems to have forgotten. Our editor-in-chief Tyler Brûlé asks why nations aren’t building their brands around the concept of excellent service.