27 December 2013
Episode 562
01 hour
Scandinavia: Life is good in Scandinavia, on the surface at least. Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt assesses the challenges facing his country in the year ahead, and Norway’s newest national hero – World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen – explains how chess put a spring back in the country’s step.
27 December 2013
Share episode
DownloadWant 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
Congressional tensions in the US and our favourite films of 2024
The US lurches towards a government shutdown as president-elect Donald Trump torpedoes a bipartisan spending bill. Plus: the EU takes the UK to court. Then: the best films of 2024 and what to eat and drink over the holidays…
Is Italy Europe’s stability?
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, presents her budget to parliament and her image of Italy as a stable, fiscally responsible country in the EU. Plus, the UK becomes the first country outside the Asia-Pacific to sign…
Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks and Justin Trudeau’s precarious future
Officials say that an Israel-Hamas ceasefire could be close as negotiations continue. Plus: we check in with the uncertain political futures of Brazil’s Lula and Canada’s Trudeau. Then: Monocle’s editorial director, Tyler…
Examining the world’s overlooked war
Germany’s election campaign begins – but what could its next government look like? Then we turn to Sudan to get the latest from the ground and learn how foreign powers are engaging with the conflict. Plus, we tour Croatia’s…
The world weighs in on Syria and South Korea begins impeachment trial
How are international powers weighing the new power dynamic in Syria? Then: we head to Seoul as president Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial begins. Plus: we discuss the Anthropocene, a proposed geological epoch.
France’s new prime minister
Emmanuel Macron names François Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister. Will he last longer than Michel Barnier? We ask our Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier. Then: Chanel has a new artistic director and a musical com…
The latest from Syria and the UK’s new foreign policy
We dive into the latest from Damascus and consider what journalists on the ground make of the country’s new reality. Plus: what are the UK Labour government’s key foreign-policy goals as it heads abroad? Then: we visit the…
Haiti’s crisis and Scholz’s confidence vote
As armed gangs continue to terrorise Haiti’s capital, Chris Sabitini joins Georgina Godwin to discuss the unfolding crisis in the country. Plus: German chancellor Scholz calls for a confidence vote, we reflect on a year of…
Benjamin Netanyahu takes the stand and China’s economy wobbles
Benjamin Netanyahu takes the stand for the first time today in his landmark corruption trial as Israeli forces move into Syria. Also in the programme: how will China spur its economy in 2025? Plus, we head to Jeddah for the…
What next for Syria?
Leila Molana Allen and Renad Mansour join us to discuss Syria and what the fall of the Assad regime might mean for refugees across the globe. Plus, how a school in Norway is protecting Sámi culture and 'The Devil Wears…
Baghdad hosts trilateral meeting on Syria
Iraq brings together the foreign ministers of Iran and Syria to discuss the escalating situation in the region and we look at the rising tensions between India and Bangladesh. Plus: an icon of London’s Oxford Street is set…
French government collapse unnerves Eurozone
As president Macron searches for a new prime minister and prepares to address the nation tonight, Brussels looks on in concern over France’s debt crisis. Plus, the latest from South Korea after the attempted martial-law…
South Korea’s president faces impeachment vote
South Korean MPs begin impeachment proceedings against president Yoon Suk Yeol after thwarting his attempt to impose martial law. Plus, how Syria’s instability could hurt Russia’s military capabilities, a roundup of nordic…
Protests continue in Georgia
We get the latest on the ongoing protests in Georgia. UK prime minister Keir Starmer encourages the transatlantic alliance to be bolstered but avoids discussing the Parthenon marbles with his visiting Greek counterpart.…
Joe Biden touches down in Angola
For one of his final international engagements as US president, Joe Biden arrives in Angola, making good on his promise to visit an African country. Another president on tour is Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te, who visits the Mars…
