23 July 2015
Episode 197
27 minutes
We explore how politics have changed Brussels, visit an old embassy for sale in Belgrade and discover some of Hong Kong’s power clubs. Plus: we ask if Vienna is still the stage for international diplomacy and walk through Embassy Row in Washington DC.
23 July 2015
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DownloadChapter 1
6 minutes
Photo: Tim Evanson
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As the seat of the US government, Washington DC is definitely one of the world's most prominent power cities. We go on a tour of Embassy Row, the district that many foreign nations call their home away from home and discover what the design of the buildings they occupy can communicate about their culture.
6 minutes
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![Diplomatic design of Embassy Row, Washington DC](http://img.monocle.com/radio/chapters/c-tim-evanson_crop-55ba50c7e30b5.jpg?w=640&h=360&g=center&q=60)
Chapter 2
3 minutes
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The political infrastructure of Hong Kong reflects its melting-pot history. Diplomats and power players from East and West have met here for centuries and a network of elite clubs have sprung up to accommodate their leisure time.
3 minutes
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![Power clubs in Hong Kong](http://img.monocle.com/radio/chapters/chap2_-c-byron-villegas_crop2-55b7a09823574.jpg?w=640&h=360&g=center&q=60)
Chapter 3
5 minutes
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Diplomats are famous for keeping themselves to themselves. But a diplomatic epicentre inevitably has an impact on the city around it. We explore how Brussels has been affected by the European institutions and all that comes with them.
5 minutes
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![Gentrification through politics in Brussels](http://img.monocle.com/radio/chapters/chap3_20150422_ep-019035_dho_0-55b7a09f8f4ab.jpg?w=640&h=360&g=center&q=60)
Chapter 4
5 minutes
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Vienna, once the beating heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, continued to play a key role in international diplomacy during the Cold War and still hosts important international events and institutions. But is the city past its peak?
5 minutes
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![Vienna: the stage for international diplomacy?](http://img.monocle.com/radio/chapters/chap4-c-iaea-imagebank-crop-55b7a0a51c06c.jpg?w=640&h=360&g=center&q=60)
Chapter 5
3 minutes
Photo: Jovan Markovic
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If you're looking for a new property to add to your portfolio, there’s a former US embassy for sale in Belgrade. But as with any investment, prospective tenants should know a thing or two about the building's history.
3 minutes
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![For sale: former US Embassy in Belgrade](http://img.monocle.com/radio/chapters/chap5_-c-jovan-markovic_crop-55ba50f42dd03.jpg?w=640&h=360&g=center&q=60)
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