Affairs / Podcast

The Monocle Daily

Hear our take on the news and enjoy sharp reporting on the big stories every weekday. Tune in as our guest panel reviews the day’s events in Europe, follows developing stories in the Americas and welcomes early risers in Asia and Australasia. Plus: reports and analysis from Monocle’s correspondents and bureaux around the world. Nominated for ‘Best Daily Podcast’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

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EU summit recap: time to go it alone?: Marion Messmer and Daniella Peled on the EU’s plans for firming up Ukraine, a “coalition of the willing” and an extended nuclear umbrella. Then: Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas; Syria gives up chemical weapons; and why Swiss palace police aren’t allowed chairs. Plus: a letter from Damascus by Hannah Lucinda Smith.

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Episode	Date	Description	Download	Play
2973	6 Mar 2025 38 min	EU summit recap: time to go it alone? Marion Messmer and Daniella Peled on the EU’s plans for firming up Ukraine, a “coalition of the willing” and an extended nuclear umbrella. Then: Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas; Syria gives up chemical weapons; and why Swiss palace police aren’t allowed chairs. Plus: a letter from Damascus by Hannah Lucinda Smith.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2972	5 Mar 2025 39 min	How can Europe save for defence? Panellists Andrew Tuck and Julie Norman discuss Germany and Europe’s plan to rearm and where Europe should save money instead. Then: the lost art of decorum in politics and Congress; how to clean up our cities; and who you would pay the most money to have dinner with. Plus: Peter Sparding’s book, ‘No Better Friend? The United States and Germany Since 1945’.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2971	4 Mar 2025 40 min	The future of US soft power Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s former foreign affairs minister, joins Lynne O’Donnell and Josh Fehnert to discuss how US soft power will transform under Donald Trump. Then: how the media should cover shifting geopolitical dynamics. Plus: the Cairo summit and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s new book hits stands.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2970	3 Mar 2025 38 min	Can a ‘coalition of the willing’ replace the US? Tessa Szyszkowitz and Robin Lustig join us in Midori House to assess the past 72 hours as Keir Starmer takes centre stage and Donald Trump continues his row with Volodymyr Zelensky. What happens next? Plus, Austria’s three-party government takes office and we ask: are shorter books a boon?	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2969	28 Feb 2025 30 min	European defence, ‘Leigh Bowery!’ takes the Tate Modern and pearls are back On this all in-house edition of ‘The Monocle Daily’, we’ll hear from our editors about what tools European countries will use to arm themselves as the US retreats from the continent, the vibrant and outrageous ‘Leigh Bowery!’ hits the Tate Modern and ‘Konfekt’ makes the case for the resurgence of pearls.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2968	27 Feb 2025 37 min	US Republicans look to cut $2trn in spending A new US budget resolution passed by House Republicans looks to cut a whopping $2trn in national spending. Patricia Cohen of ‘The New York Times’ and Monocle regular Vincent McAviney join to discuss what’s on the chopping block. Then: the effect of new train services on European living. Plus: hit that note, then catch that plane! Japan sees its first airport karaoke booth.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2967	26 Feb 2025 35 min	US and Ukraine agree on a minerals deal and South Korea’s birth rate rises We get the latest as Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky get close to signing a minerals deal between their respective nations – is the US’s unconventional diplomatic stance working? Also in the programme: as South Korea’s birth rate rises for the first time in almost a decade, we ask whether government incentives are a sustainable fix for this worsening global issue? Plus: Switzerland is rethinking its military service rules for dual citizens and a cinema in India is sued by a filmgoer over the length of pre-film advertising.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2966	25 Feb 2025 38 min	How will European leaders play the Trump game? As France’s Emmanuel Macron and the UK’s Keir Starmer visit the White House this week, we unpack how European leaders will approach Trump when it comes to Ukraine and other defence issues. Also in the programme: we assess the future of Russia and China’s relationship as relations between Washington and Moscow warm. Then: as Rio de Janeiro’s carnival kicks off this week, why is it so important for qualified journalists and experts to cover such events? Plus: Elon Musk’s micromanagement of US federal agencies.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2965	24 Feb 2025 41 min	Germany swings to the right and three years of war in Ukraine The conservative Christian Democratic Union of Germany has won the majority in the country’s elections. What does this mean for the nation’s future? And how significant is the AfD’s surge in popularity? Also on the programme: as the war in Ukraine reaches the three-year mark, we look at how the EU is continuing to pressure Russia with fresh sanctions. Then: we examine the reasons behind an uptick in post-Brexit Irish citizenship applications from Britain. Plus: a new app in the US allows you to hire personalised bodyguards at the touch of a button.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2964	21 Feb 2025 42 min	Arab leaders’ alternative to Trump’s Gaza plan and the future of Bond, James Bond We’re joined by Monocle’s Middle East correspondent, Leila Molana-Allen, to discuss the shocking hostage revelation in Israel and unpack Arab leaders’ alternative plan for Gaza. Also in the programme: former German MEP Reinhard Bütikofer on Germany’s responsibility for Europe’s defence. Then: as the James Bond franchise is sold to Amazon, we discuss the character’s future as a soft-power figure. Plus: Andrew Mueller’s ‘What We Learned’.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2963	20 Feb 2025 40 min	Whose side are you on? Guests Vincent McAviney and Isabel Hilton explore how countries are reacting to the US and Ukraine’s shifting allegiances. Then: a look at whether soft power still exists as a concept; the merits of prescribing comedy to tackle mental health; and whether men are more romantic than women. Plus: an interview with Nato’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, General Chris Badia.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2962	19 Feb 2025 37 min	Macron hosts a second meeting on Ukraine and Trump’s approval rating slips As Emmanuel Macron hosts another meeting on Ukraine, we ask why some European countries are frustrated that they weren’t invited to the first. Also on the programme: according to a new poll, Donald Trump’s disapproval ratings have spiked. We unpack why his lack of action on the economy is to blame for this. Then: a new study shows that left-wing activists in the UK are less likely to work with their political rivals than other groups. Plus: why people should start dressing up to go out again.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2961	18 Feb 2025 40 min	Is Russia sitting at the top table of global diplomacy? The Russia and US peace talks on Ukraine in Riyadh draw to a close for now. With Zelensky disappointed by the lack of an invitation, is this exactly where Putin wants to be? Also in the programme: we get the latest as the Sudanese civil war nears the two-year mark and we discuss Spain’s positive economic figures attributed to migration. Plus: New Zealand’s controversial travel ad campaign.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2960	17 Feb 2025 41 min	An era of transactional diplomacy? As the US and Russia begin negotiations over the war in Ukraine, we ask whether Donald Trump’s diplomacy is ushering in a more transactional world. Plus: the latest from the Middle East as Egypt draws up a reconstruction plan for Gaza; Javier Milei is accused of fraud over the promotion of his cryptocurrency; and a resort town in Portugal warns visitors to cover up or face a fine.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play
2959	14 Feb 2025 36 min	Day one of the Munich Security Conference and Japan helps Ukraine’s agricultural soil to recover We’re joined by Anita Riotta to get the latest from the first day of the Munich Security Conference. Also in the programme: we hear from Annabelle Gower at the World Governments Summit in Dubai and Julia Lasica joins us in the studio to discuss Japan’s aims to help revitalise Ukraine’s famously fertile agricultural soil. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco on the year’s film trends so far and ‘What We Learned’ with Andrew Mueller.	Download Share X Facebook LinkedIn LINE Email	Play

Affairs / Podcast

The Monocle Daily

Latest episode

Latest episodes

EU summit recap: time to go it alone?

How can Europe save for defence?

The future of US soft power

Can a ‘coalition of the willing’ replace the US?

European defence, ‘Leigh Bowery!’ takes the Tate Modern and pearls are back

US Republicans look to cut $2trn in spending

US and Ukraine agree on a minerals deal and South Korea’s birth rate rises

How will European leaders play the Trump game?

Germany swings to the right and three years of war in Ukraine

Arab leaders’ alternative to Trump’s Gaza plan and the future of Bond, James Bond

Whose side are you on?

Macron hosts a second meeting on Ukraine and Trump’s approval rating slips

Is Russia sitting at the top table of global diplomacy?

An era of transactional diplomacy?

Day one of the Munich Security Conference and Japan helps Ukraine’s agricultural soil to recover