The example of Ireland’s rise, fall and rise again is a shining light to those nations seeking to reposition their industry and reconnect with their previously skilled past.

The city of Trabzon in northeastern Turkey sits where mountainous terrain meets the Black Sea and while its tough-living population is fiercely patriotic, not all agree on the region’s character. So just what does it mean to be one of the ‘Trabzonlular’?

Last year we ran a feature on Ambassadogs. After a considerable amount of diplomatic pressure we are delighted to throw open the chancery gates for ‘Ambassadogs II’.

Democracy was supposed to transform journalism in Burma with Myanmar Radio and Television acting as a public-service broadcaster. The reality, however, is a media that’s hardly changed at all.

While it’s the fanfare at the fashion industry’s front end that grabs the headlines, it’s often the smaller firms further down the manufacturing chain that are adding real value.

When visiting a city it is rarely the streets lined with department stores or chain shops that we remember: it’s the tiny retail gems that we hold dearest. As part of our style issue, we look at how small retail spaces are an entrepreneurial trigger for urban success.

Bringing together an explosive mix of military manufacturers and eager customers, the International Defence Exhibition is an all-action trade fair with an attentive audience.

Savoir Faire is a creative agency that, with its own in-house record label Bromance, takes a holistic approach to pushing the best in French electronic music and pop. It’s an outlook that suggests the music industry is still all to play for.

There’s a new breakthrough star on screen: Malaysia’s film and TV industry, with its stunning settings, burgeoning infrastracture and international tax breaks is beginning to make a global impact.

Facing the same struggles as other global media brands, Milan’s publishing titans are slimming down and coming up with agile ways to remain relevant to today’s audiences.

Neglect of the Irish design industry has seen signature brands all but disappear. Now, with the help of the Irish Design 2015 programme, a regeneration is underway and Ireland is ready to show the world its talents.

A collaborative exhibition between Fabrica and Airbnb at Salone del Mobile will examine hospitality and hearty welcomes. That it will all take place at a magnificent private home made Monocle only too happy to accept an invite to check in on preparations.

Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufaki's strong sense of style, plus a look ahead to the Finnish elections

Chile's attempts to stem the gender divide, Air Canada's bilingual recruitment and a lakeside clear-up in Peru.

The new air route that links Sri Lanka to China and the Japanese scheme set to make a big return from rubbish.

Behind the scenes ahead of a Sudan election that is far from just, plus Dubai's take on Venice

Russia makes military moves on the Arctic and we meet the Islamic adviser to the UK Ministry of Defence.

From typography in Verona to Thailand's new texting service, here's a worldwide trade round-up.

How to watch a horror film, a look at sartorial staple Fashion TV and a melting pot of global cultural cuts.

This month's movers and makers.

Princely ceramics from Sweden, bespoke chairs from London and Hong Kong's offbeat new retailer.

Defying geography is a theme this month with Nordic style in Milan, a US coffee shop opening in Tokyo and gin distilled in Berlin. Stir in Turkish craft beer plus Brazilian kisses and you have a culinary cocktail that is truly cosmopolitan.

Norway’s prime minister Erna Solberg’s brand of conservatism is typically Norwegian: progressive, inclusive and pragmatic. These qualities will be vital in the future as the oil-rich nation considers alternatives to the fossil fuels that have served it so well.

Pioneering agency Abbott Mead Vickers remade the world of advertising. But co-founder Peter Mead – still in the business after more than 45 years – proves to be more nice guy than Mad Man.

Montréal, Melbourne and Madrid are – in their own distinct ways – each blazing a trail when it comes to establishing (or reviving) themselves among fashion’s most sought-after cities.

Musician Hannah Cohen is not afraid to flip the record, shifting from her first album’s folk to the more electronic-flavoured follow-up ‘Pleasure Boy’. Monocle met her in New York to talk process and production.

Architect William Smalley struck upon a series of elegant solutions to unify this divided three-storey Bloomsbury mews, with Japan providing the solution to open it up to the busy world beyond while maintaining privacy.

In this spring special we match substance with style, from a versatile pendant lamp and understated tote bag to some enchanting glassware and a stunning mezcal.

From the Turkish candle-maker redefining holiday souvenirs to the travel trade shows reinventing the wheel, here is this month’s global round-up.

A chance discovery gave rise to a West Country walking-stick firm that – with its emphasis on craftsmanship – is going places.

Lawrenceville in Pittsburgh is transforming from a centre of industry into a commerce hub.

Simple food with a twist on tradition is the ethos of Jowett Yu’s new restaurant Ho Lee Fook. Pull up a seat – pork dumplings await.

Food stylist and author Donna Hay seeks joy and adventure in an enticing ‘last meal’ to savour.

While rolling news and shock jocks may grab the headlines there is another facet of US media quietly growing its audience. Public radio is heir to a rich tradition of discursive debate, grass-roots music and local focus that chimes with a nation ready to listen.

As the first quarter of 2015 draws to a close, Monocle editor in chief Tyler Brûlé looks back over events so far. Then it’s time to gear up for the rest of a jam-packed year; conferences, cafés, city guides and a comprehensively refreshed radio schedule just begins to cover it.