The Briefing

Episodes

• 
  Portugal battles storms as Spain weathers a general strike 11.11.2026 29m

  We’re in Lisbon with our foreign editor, Alexis Self, as Storm Charles brings widespread disruption to the capital. Then: Spain’s first strike in 14 years. Plus: the murky world of digital currency. And: Shanghai Art Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Hopes of resolution or talking shop? Ukraine and Russia hold direct US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi 10.11.2026 29m

  Monocle’s Gulf correspondent Inzamam Rashid, Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko and Russia analyst Stephen Dalziel share their perspectives on the Abu Dhabi talks between Ukraine and Russia. Plus: why Slovakia’s Robert Fico still courts Moscow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Jensen Huang’s Chinese affair: Why is the US not responding? 09.11.2026 31m

  Jensen Huang of Nvidia admits to an affair with someone that US intelligence considers to be a Chinese asset. So why hasn’t the US reacted more forcefully? And what does this say about competition in the tech industry?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Should Europe be less optimistic about future relations with the US now? 06.11.2026 32m

  After Democrats win big in the midterms, will the US become a better friend of Europe – or a foe? Then: the geopolitics of port operations. Plus: Angola steps up its tourism and on-screen gay kisses get Brazil talking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  If the US shifts away from the Iran war after the midterms, how will Israel react? 05.11.2026 33m

  After the midterms’ ‘blue tsunami’, is a reset in US-Israel relations coming? And what of the war in Iran? Plus: nationwide strikes in France. Then: Design Doha and ‘The Global Countdown’ heads to the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Reactions from markets, Iran and the world to a Democratic sweep of the US midterms 04.11.2026 31m

  We gauge reactions from markets, the Gulf and the wider world to the US midterms. Can Democratic control of Congress rein in Donald Trump – or will it provoke further conflict in the Middle East?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  As US voters head to the polls, Trump’s Republicans have a hill to climb 03.11.2026 32m

  How deep into red states can Democrats go in the midterms? We hear from Ryan Williams in Washington and Kathie Obradovich in Iowa. Plus: a fridge-freezer attack across Europe. And: we meet Ayala Land CEO Meean Dy in Manila.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Is the prime minister of Belgium the first domino to fall? 02.11.2026 34m

  Bart de Wever has resigned as Belgium’s debt rises and budget talks collapse. With many centrist European leaders in a similar position, will he be the first of many? Then: we head to Texas for an update on the midterm elections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Can a Middle East security pact with Iran prove that diplomacy is still possible? 30.10.2026 30m

  As the UAE and Saudi Arabia forge stronger ties and Oman proposes a regional security pact, we discuss how diplomacy might still bring peace to the Middle East. Then: Canada-EU relations enter a new chapter. Plus: Milan’s new Stadium Generali. And: what’s next for Eurovision? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Are new elections – or war – more likely than a coalition with Arab parties in Israel? 29.10.2026 38m

  We discuss where Israel and the wider region are heading now that the final votes have been counted in Israel. Then: why are the US midterms capturing the world’s attention? Plus: Monocle in New Delhi and ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Spain’s second deadly high-speed train crash in nine months 28.10.2026 38m

  We’re in Madrid with the latest as the death toll of a train collision rises. We discuss what happened and what questions it raises for rail safety. Plus: what next for Israel as no clear winner emerges from the election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Record high turnout early on in Israeli elections 27.10.2026 36m

  We’re in Tel Aviv to assess the mood on the ground as millions turn out to vote in an election that could have global repercussions. Then: 50 stories celebrating 50 years of the National Theatre building in London.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Brazil election: the world and the markets react 26.10.2026 29m

  Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term in office. While supporters celebrate, investor bets on a right-wing victory are upended. Plus: Serbia’s veteran leader Aleksandar Vučić ousted by the student movementSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Europe is spending more on defence but is it ready to defend itself? 23.10.2026 32m

  A new Globsec report argues that Europe won’t be ready to put new defence tech into action fast enough. We explore the solutions. Plus: entrepreneurship in New Delhi and Art Basel adjusts to more civil disruption in Paris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  British jets for the UAE and Emirati fuel for France: Europe and the Gulf’s new ties 22.10.2026 35m

  European and Gulf countries sign new deals on defence and energy. We examine the ties forged in crisis. Then: Google’s data centre plans in Finland are put on ice. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ heads to Helsinki.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Are Moscow and Washington drawing ever closer? 21.10.2026 29m

  Russia has announced that it’s releasing detained American Stephen Hubbard. Is this another signal of a warming relationship? Then: Romania forms a government after a 6-month political deadlock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Alberta votes to remain in Canada 20.10.2026 32m

  As Albertans vote to remain, we look at the lasting impact of the campaign to leave Canada. Then: Volodymyr Zelensky and Steve Witkoff head to Oslo. What shape could talks take?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  The political fallout after widespread protests and riots in France 19.10.2026 30m

  We’re in Paris as Emmanuel Macron asks some cities to impose partial curfews after a weekend of riots and looting. But what’s next as his interior minister says that the police “lost control”?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Donald Trump’s energy ceasefire collapses: What next for the war in Ukraine? 16.10.2026 33m

  As Trump rebukes Ukraine’s attacks on a Russian oil refinery, we speak to a former Ukrainian ambassador about how negotiations have changed. Then: the UAE’s changing security landscape and Sumo at the London Film Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  EU budget showdown: Is a breakthrough possible? 15.10.2026 35m

  EU leaders gather in Brussels, hoping to find a way forward for the bloc’s next budget. Is there room for manoeuvre? Plus: Giorgia Meloni criticises Donald Trump’s Russia diesel deal and Frieze London opens to the public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.