The Briefing
A fast-paced news round-up with expert reporting, business insights, and industry updates on technology, aviation, retail, and media. Anchored from London.
Latest Episodes
Albania’s flamingo protests take off as anger builds over Jared Kushner’s planned resort development
Pro- and anti-government protests grip Albania as anger builds over a luxury resort development. Then: we examine Switzerland’s referendum on capping the population. And: Nic Monisse on Copenhagen’s design festival.
2026 Fifa World Cup opens amid fanfare and controversy
Monocle’s Tom Edwards and Anita Riotta walk us through their impressions of the World Cup, which begins in Mexico City today. And: Fernando Augusto Pacheco with a special tournament on ‘The Global Countdown’. Plus: Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer receives an Outstanding Leader award.
What’s behind the resurgence in inter-state conflict?
The number of inter-state conflicts around the world doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year, we discuss why. Then: why does the majority of Europe no longer see the US as an ally? Plus: the Baltics join financial forces and Alexis Bittar on buying back his jewellery business.
Who’s calling the shots?: Trump and Netanyahu both look to sway the war in Iran
As a rift between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu grows, who will hold influence over the other? Then: SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI look to make megacap IPO history. Plus: the Bengali art of Jamdani weaving.
Israeli and Iranian retaliatory strikes as Trump administration looks on
Israel and Iran show little interest in maintaining a ceasefire demanded by Donald Trump. Our Gulf correspondent, Inzamam Rashid, explains. Plus: China’s president in Pyongyang and the co-directors of furniture fair ICFF.
Culture wraps, Konfekt’s new travel special and the Mount Street Neighbourhood Summer Festival
Hezbollah rejects a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Then: a look at Konfekt’s summer issue with Sophie Grove and a pop-up bookshop by Thames & Hudson at London’s Mount Street Neighbourhood Summer Festival.
Why did Germany fail to secure a seat on the UN Security Council?
We discuss Berlin’s failure to secure a seat on the UN Security Council. Then: are the world’s worst displacement crises under-reported? Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ kicks off its World Cup special.
Serpentine Pavilion by Lanza Atelier opens in London
Nic Monisse takes a look at London’s Serpentine Pavilion ahead of opening on Saturday. Plus: Anita Riotta brings us the results of primaries across the US and we wrap the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa with Andrew Mueller.
What’s next in Colombia’s presidential runoff between the left and the far right
We consider what Colombia’s polarising election could mean for Latin America’s third-largest economy. Plus: we meet Ari and Ethan Gold, the twins behind one-shot musical film ‘Brother Verses Brother’.
Why Poland’s leaders continue to jockey for power
We examine the prospects for Poland’s ruling coalition ahead of the 2027 parliamentary election. Plus: we head to Paris to speak with Laetitia and Arthur Cohen, owners of the best Franco-Japanese restaurants in town.
