Shows / The Briefing
The Briefing
A pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by a Monocle editor. The show features informed reporting, prescient business analysis and invaluable industry reports covering everything from technology to aviation and retail to media.
Episodes
- The Briefing
On stage for Emmanuel Macron’s viral moment in Kenya
We speak with Marie Lora-Mungai, who was on stage in Nairobi when French president Emmanuel Macron implored the audience to show respect, about the viral…
- The Briefing
Ukraine-Russia ceasefire ends but Kyiv’s renewed confidence continues
Ukraine pushes for an airport ceasefire after its three-day truce with Russia comes to an end. Plus: Katharine Hayhoe on how climate scientists maintain their…
- The Briefing
Is it all over for Keir Starmer? The cabinet faces questions
Cabinet members are asked to pledge support for embattled UK prime minister Keir Starmer. Plus: redistricting battles heat up in the US, Thaksin Shinawatra is…
- The Briefing
Trump rejects Iran’s peace proposal
An end to the Iran war looks unlikely as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu refuse to entertain Tehran’s demands. Then: a taste of Corsican food in…
- The Briefing
Trump’s global 10 per cent tariffs ruled illegal as he pushes for an EU-trade deal
We discuss what next for Donald Trump’s tariffs as he is pushed back for a second time by a US trade court. Then: protests over Russia at the Venice…
- The Briefing
Can Marco Rubio smooth things over with Pope Leo XIV and Giorgia Meloni?
The US secretary of state is in Rome for talks with Pope Leo XIV and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, two leaders whose relations with US president…
- The Briefing
Does the end of ‘Project Freedom’ point to peace? Plus: Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire’s Paris
As Donald Trump backs down from ‘Project Freedom’, Andrew Mueller weighs the likelihood of peace and what it would look like. Plus: Grace Charlton…
- The Briefing
Is the ceasefire in Lebanon all but over?
As Israel ramps up its killing in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire, we discuss where things could go next. Then: Merz a year on, Romania’s vote of…
- The Briefing
Trump announces ‘Project Freedom’ and Zambia cancels world’s largest human rights and tech conference
We discuss Donald Trump’s new plan for the US military to guide stranded ships through the strait of Hormuz. Then: Zambia cites misalignment with…
- The Briefing
Trump threatens troop withdrawal in Europe
We discuss the US-Europe security relationship as Donald Trump threatens to pull troops from Italy and Spain after making the same threat to Germany. Is an…
- The Briefing
Pete Hegseth defends Iran war – and calls his critics the true adversary
We discuss US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s congressional hearing and the broader Iran strategy, plus interest rate decisions in Washington and…
- The Briefing
How healthy is the special relationship? Assessing King Charles III’s speech to Congress
King Charles III emphasises the need for stronger UK-US ties in an address to Congress. Then: could the EU put sanctions on Israel over the purchase of…
- The Briefing
Will Canada’s sovereign wealth fund bolster its economy in the face of Trump’s tariffs?
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney announces a government-owned fund to invest in projects including energy, mining and other infrastructure. We look at the…
- The Briefing
Palestinians vote in Gaza for the first time in 20 years
We look at the results of the municipal elections in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah and the occupied West Bank. Plus: security questions after the White House…
The BriefingIsrael and Lebanon extend ceasefire after White House talks
Donald Trump has announced a three-week extension to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire but questions remain over a deal between the US and Iran. Plus: the latest…
- The Briefing
Trump in the polls: the domestic impact of US foreign policy
With six months until the US midterms, we take a look at domestic polls to assess how the Trump administration’s actions are playing out at home. Plus…
- The Briefing
Planes, trains and ferries: How the Iran war is affecting travel
We look at how energy prices are affecting global travel and opening up options beyond flights. Plus: the latest on the US-Iran ceasefire extension with…
- The Briefing
Lula in Lisbon: what’s on the agenda?
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is ending his European trip by meeting Portugal’s president, António José…
- The Briefing
Are US-Iran peace talks still on the table?
Days before the ceasefire ends, the US has seized an Iranian vessel as Tehran downplays the prospect of peace talks. What is the path forward? Then: We head to…
- The Briefing
How tourism in the UAE is staying resilient despite the Iran war
Almost seven weeks since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran, the Emirati city of Ras al-Khaimah is taking a cautious yet effective approach to…
- The Briefing
Live from Sharjah: The UAE’s start-ups look beyond the conflict
Our team in Sharjah discusses the Iran war’s impact on start-ups in the UAE. Plus: the latest Nordic news and what’s topping music charts in the…
- The Briefing
Live from Dubai: The state of tourism and education in the Gulf
Our team in Dubai hears from tourism and education voices dealing with conflict in the Gulf region. Plus: Donald Trump turns on Giorgia Meloni.See…
- The Briefing
Live from Abu Dhabi: Lebanese and Israeli officials set to meet in Washington for the first time in decades
Hezbollah has urged Lebanon to pull out of US-brokered talks with Israel. We speak to the Israeli ambassador to the UAE. Plus: the world’s biggest wine…
- The Briefing
The US prepares to launch Iranian port blockade within hours and Viktor Orbán defeated in Hungary
Following the failure of talks between Washington and Tehran, we discuss why Donald Trump’s next move is a blockade of Iranian ports. Plus…
- The Briefing
The view from Beirut on Israel’s deadly strikes. And: Hungary’s pivotal elections
Israel has killed more than 300 people in Lebanon since the ceasefire. We head to Beirut for the latest. Then: Europe watches on as Hungary heads to the polls…
- The Briefing
US-Iran ceasefire tested by deadly Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Fractures emerge in the US-Iran ceasefire as Tehran demands an end to attacks in Lebanon while Washington says that wasn’t part of the deal. Plus: the…
- The Briefing
Keir Starmer heads to the Gulf after the US and Iran agree to a ceasefire
We discuss reactions to the 11th-hour ceasefire between Iran and the US as the UK prime minister prepares to meet Gulf leaders for discussions about reopening…
- The Briefing
Trump’s Iran deadline approaches and JD Vance visits Hungary to bolster Victor Orbán’s election chances
There’s little sign of a breakthrough as US president Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree a deal or face devastating infrastructure attacks…
- The Briefing
Asia’s worsening fuel crisis: a sign of what’s to come for Europe?
As the US-Israel war on Iran continues to send shockwaves across oil markets, we discuss how Asia is coping and what it might mean for Europe. Then: elections…
- The Briefing
Is Donald Trump starting to fire his cabinet?
Could the departure of Pam Bondi herald the start of a greater cabinet reshuffle? Plus: a look at life on the Ukrainian frontlines with Anastacia Galouchka…
- The Briefing
How would ending birthright citizenship change American society?
In a presidential first, Donald Trump attended the Supreme Court hearing on the changes to birthright citizenship that his administration is pushing for. Will…
- The Briefing
Ukraine’s Easter truce proposal and Israel’s death-penalty bill for Palestinians
Ukraine marks a grim anniversary in Bucha and pledges an Easter ceasefire. Then: international outcry over Israel’s new death-penalty bill for…
- The Briefing
Iran hits Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai – are energy targets now fair game?
Iran appears to be calling Donald Trump’s bluff by reportedly striking a Kuwaiti oil. Are energy targets now on the table? Plus: London looks to…
- The Briefing
A new front in the Middle East as Houthis enter the conflict
Iran-backed Houthis have launched missiles against Israel. We discuss their control over Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and how their involvement could change…
- The Briefing
Marco Rubio arrives at the G7 as Trump lashes out at allies
Who has the upper hand at the G7 as US secretary of state Marco Rubio arrives to garner support for military action in Iran while allies push for answers on…
- The Briefing
The Philippines becomes the first country to declare a state of emergency over the global energy crisis
Protests break out in the Philippines over fuel shortages. We discuss the spreading impact of the Middle East conflict. Then: mixed messages on Iran…
- The Briefing
The true state of US-Iran negotiations amid conflicting reports from Tehran, Washington and Islamabad
Pakistan offers to host US-Iran peace talks while Iranian officials warn “no one like us will make a deal”. Plus: Danish PM Mette Frederiksen…
- The Briefing
Israel to hold a ‘security zone’ in the south of Lebanon
Israel promises to continue its campaign in Lebanon. What does it have planned for the country’s south now that a ‘security zone’ has been…
- The Briefing
A new mayor in Paris: who is Emmanuel Grégoire?
We discuss the winners and losers from France’s municipal elections in Paris, Marseille and across the country. Then: a narrow victory for…
- The Briefing
The scramble to take energy infrastructure off the hit list in the Middle East
We discuss the damage from strikes in Iran and the Gulf, and whether Israel’s promise to stop targeting Iranian gas fields will do anything to reassure…
- The Briefing
All talk? The European Council convenes in Brussels amid global disruption
We discuss the aims of the European Council Summit at a crucial juncture. Plus: Thailand embraces stability as a new prime minister is appointed and what we…
- The Briefing
Zelensky in Europe as focus shifts to Iran
We discuss how Volodymyr Zelensky is working to put Ukraine back on the agenda as he lands in Madrid after meetings in London and Paris. Plus: Frank McCourt on…
- The Briefing
Trump delays direct talks with Xi as the Iran war rages on
As the US president postpones a high-stakes summit with China’s leader, we discuss the mutual strategies at play. Then: France’s municipal election…
- The Briefing
Can the US rely on its allies in the war in Iran?
Trump warns Nato that it must assist the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Can he rely on the US’s allies after a year of berating them? Plus: the surge…
- The Briefing
The future of the far right in Germany. And: The winner of the Pritzker Prize
We discuss what’s next for Alternative for Germany after a court rules that the party cannot be labelled as an “extremist” group. Plus: an…
- The Briefing
Iran steps up attacks in the Gulf as oil prices jump
We discuss how increased attacks across the region are pushing energy prices back up despite a historic release of reserves. Plus: Amanda Driehorst, strategy…
- The Briefing
Turkey’s mass corruption trial gets under way
Istanbul’s mayor is among hundreds facing corruption charges in a trial that his party says is politically motivated. Plus: Paris Fashion Week highlights…
- The Briefing
How the war in Iran is changing Qatar’s global standing. And: urban festival Mipim
We head to Doha as Qatar warns of dramatic global consequences if the war with Iran continues. Then: elections in Colombia. Plus: we’re off to Cannes to…
- The Briefing
Mark Carney on the attractiveness of Canada’s military
Part two of Tyler Brûlé’s interview with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. Plus: we delve into the appointment of the late Ayatollah…
- The Briefing
A war of numbers: can the Gulf keep up?
We get the latest on the Iran war from Dubai and discuss how long defensive ammunition in the Gulf will last against Iranian attacks. Plus: the latest business…
- The Briefing
The US Senate votes against limiting Trump’s war powers
As strikes in Iran continue we get the view from Washington after a bipartisan resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s powers fails in the…
- The Briefing
Who will take over from Ayatollah Khamenei? Plus: business news and Paris Fashion Week
Spain leads Europe’s opposition to the US-Israel war with Iran, as speculation grows about who will take over from Ayatollah Khamenei. Plus: business…
- The Briefing
Who will lead Iran next, and how much control does the IRGC have?
The question of who commands Iran now remains unanswered, Tara Kangarlou joins Georgina Godwin to discuss. Then: aid into Gaza is threatened as the Middle East…
- The Briefing
The conflict in the Middle East gains new fronts and oil prices soar
US and Israeli strikes in Iran have become a regional conflict. Inzamam Rashid gives the latest from Dubai. Plus: does Donald Trump have a plan to resolve the…
- The Briefing
Pakistan declares ‘open war’ against Afghanistan
We discuss the shattering of a fragile ceasefire as Pakistan launches overnight attacks on major Afghan cities, including Kabul. Where will the escalation lead…
- The Briefing
Geneva’s place as a diplomatic hub
Diplomats are once again descending on Geneva as fresh talks on both the US-Iran nuclear deal and the Russia-Ukraine war get under way. We discuss why it…
- The Briefing
Trump’s State of the Union address. Plus: Milano Fashion Week
The latest from Washington following Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Then: we discuss the significance of German rearmament with Liana Fix…
- The Briefing
Reflections on four years of war in Ukraine
Julia Jenne reflects on four years of war in Ukraine and discusses comments from the country’s ambassador to the UK. Then: we meet Maria Alyokhina, a…
- The Briefing
Nordic co-operation over Greenland, the Baftas and Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar
We speak with Mike Sfraga, the US’s former ambassador at large for Arctic affairs, about Nordic co-operation. Plus: winners and losers at the Baftas and…
- The Briefing
How Sweden is training its civilian reserve and a look at the future of European defence
Sweden prepares for war by training its civilian reserve, we speak with British MP Mike Martin about European defence and meet Raffaella Paniè, the…