The brief: to persuade Afghanis to take pride in their national army, to shun terrorism and to give up the narcotics trade. Not an easy task in a country where war has been raging for nine years and where the population is…
Some say they’re a useful force for good, others say they’re an ungovernable hindrance undermining the good work of government troops. Either way, private security firms are playing an important part in conflicts around the…
If your airport fails to meet US standards, then don’t expect flight connections to JFK or LAX. That’s what left Liberia facing isolation. The solution? Get the Americans in to train your staff and run your airport. We see…
Thanks to substantial foreign investment and its status as the home of the African Union, the Ethiopian capital is positioning itself as Africa’s diplomatic hub. As the AU divides over how to expand its mandate, Addis is…
The American Forces Network has the largest geographical coverage of any media network in the world. Its 1,100 staff serve 800,000 overseas troops in even the remotest locations with a mix of entertainment, film, sport and…
Under its post-war constitution, Japan is not allowed a navy, only a Self-Defence Force. Yet, today, the country has one of the largest, most sophisticated fleets in the world. Tensions with North Korea and China have also…
Forged in the wake of war, Unesco stands tall as a bastion of peace and principle. Monocle visited its modernist headquarters in Paris to discover an institution dedicated to optimism despite brutal funding cuts and a…
Not since the Second World War have the islands of the Pacific been so hotly fought over. This time, however, the battle lines are diplomatic. China, the US and Taiwan are all pitching in but it is Australia that is running…
Shopping malls in São Paulo are a cut above, with champagne bars, inhouse tailors and attentive service. Being a shop assistant can be a lucrative career and all this is because of Brazil’s new wealth. Monocle investigates…
When it comes to disasters, the first few hours make all the difference to rescue and relief efforts. And the better the kit, the greater the chance of saving lives. But is it time for a permanent rapid reaction force?
From a state-of-the-art concert hall to an international court and the murkiest waters of diplomacy, we meet the leaders who trust their instincts in tricky times.