The Globalist

Colombians have elected a new leader after one of the most divisive and violent campaigns in the country’s recent history. Plus: we examine Pakistan’s new position as a global mediator. And: we look ahead to the release of Monocle’s Quality of Life issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the results of a by-election in the UK that has implications for Britain’s future leadership and its relationship with the EU. Plus: why Kenya is compensating protest victims, design news and an Art Basel round-up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders and officials from across Southeast Asia join Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, in Kazan. Then: Chicago prepares for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. Plus: MC Escher’s London retrospective, global UFO policies and the future of luxury concierge services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains and after meeting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, US president Trump said that Moscow should make a deal to end its war with Kyiv. Have European leaders finally got Trump on side? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Lebanon included in the new US-Iran deal and is Netanyahu on board? Plus: Mark Carney’s role at the G7 summit, a flick through the Paris papers and a preview of Art Basel 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the G7 summit kicks off today in Évian-les-Bains, we assess how France is shaping the agenda. Plus: we discuss the results of the immigration referendum in Switzerland and visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France and Germany are reportedly weighing a major overhaul of the EU’s diplomatic service, including proposals to scale back powers from the European External Action Service and return them to member states and EU institutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump threatens that Iran will ‘pay the price’ for drawing out negotiations. But as inflation in the US hits a three-year high, is it Americans who are paying more? Plus: countdown to the 2026 Fifa World Cup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As France and Germany abandon plans for a next-generation fighter aircraft, we assess the possibilities for European governments to build a stronger defence industry. Plus: we join our design editor at the opening day of 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump has insisted that negotiations will continue. But does Iran still want to make a deal? Plus: All Accor’s ace partnership, smoke-free success in Sweden and why life is getting grizzly in Japan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Kosovo votes in its third parliamentary election in 18 months, we explore the presidential deadlock that caused it. Then: South Africa’s leader faces pressure from anti-immigration protests. Plus: life in Cuba, the future of print in the art world and Meta reacts to Australia’s journalist laws.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Armenia heads to the polls in a pivotal election this weekend, with voters considering whether peace with Azerbaijan is a good thing, and whether Russia or the EU is a better ally. Plus: Mark Speich of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation on Germany’s role in the world.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delegates from Israel and Lebanon meet to discuss the ever-weakening truce with Hezbollah. Plus: local elections in South Korea, the future of office furniture in Tokyo and Helsinki Fashion Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turkey’s diplomatic balancing act. We examine how Ankara has positioned itself between regional rivals and whether its strategy is paying off. With Ankara hosting the Nato summit in July, can Erdoğan keep all parties on side? Plus: France’s Palace designation and Japan’s unusual approach to preventing bear attacks.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran has suspended indirect talks with the US in response to Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon. As Tehran moves toward a complete block of the Strait of Hormuz, we discuss the collapse of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and the growing risk of a wider regional war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A right-wing political outsider wins the first round of Colombia’s presidential election. Plus: a live interview with Nick Adams, special presidential envoy for American tourism, exceptionalism and values, to discuss his new role and Trump’s plan to boost inbound tourism to 100 million visitors by 2030. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia security concerns take centre stage at Shangri-La Dialogue as the region’s premier defence forum gets under way in Singapore. Plus: US-Iran latest, a check-in with the Utopian Hours conference and ‘What We Learned’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Large protests continue across Bolivia as pressure mounts on Rodrigo Paz’s government. With demonstrators angry over the economy and leadership, how vulnerable is the administration? Plus: could the CDU replace Friedrich Merz? And: what comes next for Nasa’s Moon ambitions?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia urges foreign nationals to leave Kyiv as it prepares a systematic attack. Then: South Korea’s plan for nuclear submarines and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić gets China’s friendship medal. Plus: Greece’s letter to Hollywood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delegates gather in Qatar for negotiations to end the war in Iran as the US carries out fresh “self-defence” strikes. Plus: we meet the pioneers behind the first uninterrupted circumnavigation of the Earth by balloon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss new diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran war and Pakistan’s attempts at mediation. Plus: political turmoil in Turkey, a flick through the international papers and highlights from the 79th Cannes Film Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia and China condemn Washington’s indictment of Raúl Castro as a US aircraft carrier enters Caribbean waters. With Donald Trump desperate for a post-Iran win, could Cuba be next? Plus: Tehran weighs a new peace proposal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington warns Moscow over its escalating rhetoric toward Latvia as Nato’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, rejects Russia’s claims that Baltic states could soon allow Ukrainian drone attacks from their territories. Plus: how rebel groups and Isis-backed insurgents are hampering efforts to contain the new Ebola outbreak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beijing welcomes Vladimir Putin a week after rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump. Who really holds the cards? Plus: as we look ahead to the Fifa World Cup, Andrew Mueller assesses what could go wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

G7 finance ministers meet as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to roil global economies. Can divisions be overcome? Then: Nic Monisse brings us the latest from NYCxDesign and we hit London’s West End.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has locked in new trade and defense deals with the UAE, Netherlands and Sweden. What’s on the agenda for Norway and Italy? Plus: the papers, Asia news and talks between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk over more US bases in Greenland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The business world watches the Xi-Trump summit as superpowers try to secure a competitive advantage in key industries such as chipmaking. Who holds the real leverage? Then: Modi’s European tour and the latest from Eurovision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the leaders of the US and China meet in Beijing, we discuss what’s at stake and get the view from Taipei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump-Xi summit comes at a volatile moment for Washington, with the fragile Iran ceasefire spooking energy markets and Xi Jinping increasingly seen as holding the stronger hand. As Beijing tightens its grip on geopolitical influence, what can Trump achieve on Taiwan, trade and Tehran?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmanuel Macron has kicked off his Kenya visit with a jog through Nairobi and cooking ugali as the Africa Forward Summit is hosted by an Anglophone country for the first time. After a series of setbacks in western parts of the continent, is Paris flexing softer diplomacy in Africa? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With US president Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping set to meet in Beijing, we take a look at what is on and off the table. Plus: we meet Greece’s entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest, Akylas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asean bloc leaders meet in Cebu to discuss soaring energy prices, tariff threats and border clashes. Plus: can relations between Donald Trump and Brazil’s Lula find stable ground? And: what has the first year of Leo XIV’s papacy meant for the Catholic Church?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US hints towards a peace deal with Iran. Then: Friedrich Merz’s first year in office; Air India’s crash report; Canada’s new governor general; and the Jeonju International Film Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Iranian attacks on the UAE. Plus: what’s next for Romania? After parliament toppled prime minister Ilie Bolojan in a no-confidence vote backed by the left-wing PSD and the far-right AUR, Bucharest faces fresh fears over political instability, economic turmoil and its role as a reliable partner in the EU.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices jump as the US and Iran trade accusations over strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: Fico’s U-turn on Ukraine and the state of EU-Canada relations as Mark Carney addresses European leaders in Armenia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan’s PM kicks off bilateral meetings with Vietnam and Australia, we discuss the agenda. Then: We review the first ever EU-Armenia Summit. Plus: ILTM Villa d’Este, a tour around Alcova and a trip with Alaska Airlines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is briefed on possible next steps for further military action in Iran. Then: China’s zero-tariff push for Africa, the freedom press index, Andrew Mueller’s ‘What We Learned’ and Apple’s latest earnings report.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE’s exit from Opec is part of a broader strategic pivot, argues Pat Breen of Gas Strategies. We look at the diplomatic intrigue behind a move that has rattled oil markets. Plus: Kosovo faces another election and a preview of the Venice Biennale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A wave of attacks across Mali raises fresh questions about the state’s grip on security and the growing reach of jihadist groups such as al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM. Plus: the UAE quits Opec, the UK’s deepening political crisis and Nasa’s bid to buy more time for Voyager 1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is in Moscow on a high-stakes diplomatic tour, following visits to Pakistan and Oman. With fragile progress made in Muscat, what can the Kremlin do for Tehran? Plus: rising violence in Colombia a month before elections, King Charles’s US state visit and technology news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions between Lebanon and Israel remain high as questions grow over what comes next. We also discuss how jet fuel shortages are affecting the airline industry and go to Finland, where authorities are preparing for a possible oil spill linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington says that the ceasefire still holds but shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and signals from Tehran suggest the crisis is far from over. We also discuss Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s foreign minister, visiting the UK and New York’s new tax on the mega rich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EU grants Ukraine a much-anticipated €90bn loan, but what does that mean for Kyiv and why could Turkey host possible peace talks? Plus: the Delphi Economic Forum and we meet designer Tom Dixon at Salone del Mobile.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the ceasefire between Iran and the US extended at the last minute, we assess what comes next, with former diplomat Carne Ross. Plus: Why Nato chief Mark Rutte is visiting Turkey and the latest from Pope Leo’s Africa trip.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at Slovak PM Robert Fico’s spat with the Baltics over Moscow and Slovenia’s coalition talks collapse. Plus: How Iran is affecting aviation, China-Japan tensions over Taiwan and Salone del Mobile’s first preview day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week after Hungarians booted out Viktor Orbán in favour of the pro-European Union Péter Magyar, Bulgarians headed to the polls considering the opposite: many are eager to elect the Russia-friendly Rumen Radev. Bruno Kaufmann joins us from Sofia. Plus, the latest on Iran, Israel and Lebanon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monocle team returns to Dubai to consider how the UAE has remained more resilient than headlines might suggest. We’re joined by Ted Kemp, chief content officer of ‘Khaleej Times’, the UAE’s longest-running English-language newspaper. Then: Christie’s auction house in the Middle East and news from Paris, London and Bangkok.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Monocle lands in Sharjah to see how the UAE has built resilience into its global trade and bet on education to further develop its status as an international hub. Plus: the latest from Indonesia and the Nordics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our team is in Dubai for a look at the business and investment community’s view and the impact of a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: The Avenue, Dubai’s cultural hub and anchor in times of conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re live from the UAE to discuss the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the state of tourism in the Gulf. Plus: papers from London and Zürich, and a look inside Abu Dhabi’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.