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
US Election Special: Crime and punishment
Monocle’s Chris Cermak kicks off our US election special, airing every Tuesday between now and the presidential election on 5 November. On today’s show: the role of crime and policing in this year’s political campaigning.
What do Israel’s cabinet changes mean for Netanyahu?
As Benjamin Netanyahu appoints a former rival to his cabinet, we explore how this move could strengthen his hold on power ahead of Israel’s 2026 election. Plus: the latest from Austria as the far-right Freedom Party narrowly wins the country’s vote, and why Switzerland and Italy are redrawning part of…
How seriously should we take Putin’s nuclear threat?
Russian president Vladimir Putin draws a new nuclear red line and the US announces $8bn of military aid for Ukraine. Where does that leave the war and prospects of peace? Then: what does Japan’s new leader mean for the country? Plus: Monocle’s Andrew Mueller reflects on the week.
Israel rejects Lebanon ceasefire
Are any hopes of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon over before they started? Plus: Cyprus’s president says he is ready to begin reunification talks with Turkey “today”. Then: peel back the cover of our latest issue with Monocle’s fashion editor Natalie Theodosi.
Nations urge their citizens to leave Lebanon and InnoTrans 2024 begins
A new wave of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon has prompted national leaders, including the UK’s Keir Starmer, to urge their citizens to leave Lebanon. Then: Berlin is playing host to InnoTrans 2024 this week, the world’s largest mobility trade fair, and we assess the ‘slow television’ craze in Norway.…
Lebanon latest and the struggles of multilateralism
We check in on Lebanon and how events in the Middle East have affected discussions at the UN General Assembly in New York. Plus: Distripress in Hungary and the Thai sensation that is pygmy hippo calf Moo Deng.
Israel launches strikes across Lebanon. Plus: France’s new government
The latest as Israel intensifies its strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Then: France has a new government but for how much longer? Plus: the president of the UAE is in Washington for a meeting with his US counterpart. Also on the programme: Seoul and Prague take steps to collaborate more…
What’s next for Quad beyond the tenures of Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida?
As US president Joe Biden hosts leaders from Australia, India and Japan at his Delaware home for the Quad Summit, we explore the group’s future amid two leadership transitions. Plus: Greenland’s push for independence, a lookahead to the UK Labour Party Conference and tech news.
Lebanon latest: calls for revenge and fears of a full-scale war with Israel
In the aftermath of recent attacks in Lebanon, we discuss escalating tensions and violence in the region with journalist Stefanie Glinski in Beirut. Then: more diplomatic engagement with the crisis in Sudan and a transport-news roundup. Plus: we head to Sri Lanka for the Global Countdown with Fernando Augusto Pacheco.
Fallout from the Beirut pager blasts
Hezbollah vows retaliation after blaming Israel for the deadly pager blasts in Beirut yesterday. US media sources, among others, have confirmed Israel planted the explosives. Then: Russia orders an evacuation from its Tver region following Ukrainian drone strikes. Plus: will Boeing workers and bosses reach a deal?
