17 March 2025
Episode 3515
31 minutes
Photo: Getty Images
As tensions rise in the region, foreign ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the future of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Syria. Plus: Mark Carney snubs the US on his first international trip, why Leipzig is Germany’s fastest growing city, the new Everest restrictions and why Nasa’s stuck astronauts might finally be coming home.
17 March 2025
Share episode
Download
Want more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
The Briefing - latest episodes
Foreign ministers meet in Brussels to discuss Syria
As tensions rise in the region, foreign ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the future of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Syria. Plus: Mark Carney snubs the US on his first international trip, why Leipzig is Germany’s fastest growing…
US judge blocks Trump’s firing of federal workers
As DOGE is dealt its biggest blow yet by federal judges, Christopher Lord joins Georgina Godwin to discuss what Trump’s next move might be. Plus: Vietnam-Indonesia maritime agreement, Monocle at Mipim and all the highlights…
A frosty G7 meeting in Canada
G7 foreign ministers touched down in La Malbaie as transatlantic tensions rise over tariffs and a ceasefire plan for Ukraine. We also head to Dubai to hear how heritage hospitality brands are looking to the future and…
Ukraine accepts US ceasefire proposal, Russia strikes Zelensky’s hometown
As a 30-day ceasefire is proposed, former US ambassador to Ukraine, John Herbst, joins Chris Cermak to discuss if Russia will accept. Plus: Pakistan train hijacking, the Iran nuclear issue ramps up, Nissan’s management is…
Portugal’s government faces collapse
As a no-confidence vote threatens to topple Portugal’s Luís Montenegro, Carlota Rebelo joins Christopher Cermak to discuss. Plus: who is North Korea’s Lazarus Group and how did it steal $1.5bn (€1.3bn) worth of cryptocur…
Who is Mark Carney, Canada’s next PM?
We examine the stacked in-tray of Canada’s next prime minister. Plus: Is Poland becoming a prewar nation in prewar times? And: Switzerland’s new Eurovision stamp.
Court orders Yoon Suk Yeol’s release
As a South Korean court paves the way for impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol’s release, John Nilsson Wright joins Emma Nelson to discuss. Plus: weekend havoc ensues after a Second World War bomb is discovered at Gare du Nord…
EU leaders meet to discuss the future of Ukraine
As a special council is held in Brussels to address the rapidly shifting Ukraine-Russia war, Oleksii Goncharenko joins Chris Cermak to discuss how European leaders may respond. Plus: Cyclone Alfred shuts down Brisbane,…
How to respond to Trump 2.0
As president Trump sets out his second-term vision before Congress, we hear from Kyiv, Paris and Hong Kong on how the world is responding to the White House’s pivots in defence and economics. Plus: how the UK is marking the…
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine
In responding to Trump’s pausing of military aid to Ukraine, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says Europe is in an “era of rearmament” and ready to step up on defence. But can it do so quick enough? Plus: the…
After the London summit
From London to securing Ukraine’s future, Andrew Mueller reviews the weekend with Monocle’s Alexis Self and Julia Lasica. Then: how the Trump administration could bring Japan and South Korea closer than ever; why trains…
What next for the PKK and Turkey?
The PKK’s leader calls for the group to disband and begin peace talks with Turkey. Plus: the latest on Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with Donald Trump, why competition for the Eurostar is a good thing, the Osaka Expo and…
Keir Starmer visits Washington and Japan’s auto industry appeals for help
UK prime minister Keir Starmer is set to defend Europe’s interests and voice before US president Donald Trump, France attempts to build a nuclear shield for Europe, Japan’s car industry appeals to the government for help…
Ukraine agrees minerals deal with US and Japan’s premium-whisky industry
Ukraine signs a minerals deal with the United States but will this help it secure peace as well? We take a look at demonstrations against prime minister Robert Fico in Slovakia and profile the Japanese whisky industry. Plus…
Syria’s National Dialogue Conference begins
Since the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, there have been questions about what comes next for the country – and whether any future government will be democratic and inclusive. Today marks the first real test of Syrian…
