The Monocle Daily

Monocle

Hear our take on the news and enjoy sharp reporting on the big stories every weekday. Tune in as our guest panel reviews the day’s events in Europe, follows developing stories in the Americas and welcomes early risers in Asia and Australasia. Plus: reports and analysis from Monocle’s correspondents and bureaux around the world. Nominated for ‘Best Daily Podcast’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

101 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes101

Newest first

June 8 · 38 min
Iran and Israel agree to halt strikes after exchanging fire for first time since April
Iran and Israel agree to halt strikes after exchanging fire for the first time since April. Then: we look at what Armenia’s parliamentary election tells us about its ties to Russia. Plus: will a lawsuit disrupt Trump’s birthday party? And: why are Kanye West’s concerts still so popular? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 5 · 37 min
World Cup fever builds with Canada hoping for a tourism legacy
With just days until kick-off, we look at how Canada is hoping to build a World Cup tourism legacy. Then: we speak to the Ukrainian NGO Superhumans, which helps injured soldiers and civilians. And: our weekly quiz with Rob Bound. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 4 · 35 min
Hezbollah rejects new Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as US House seeks to stop war in Iran
Hezbollah rejects a new Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as the US House seeks to stop the Iran war in a vote called ‘unpatriotic’ by Donald Trump. Plus: Albanians take to the streets in anger at plans for a new luxury resort. And: what strange items do Uber customers leave in its vehicles? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 3 · 37 min
Ukraine bombs St Petersburg as Russia prepares to host Putin’s ‘Davos’
Ukraine targets St Petersburg ahead of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s key economic forum. Then: UK police apologise for handcuffing a dying teenager as PM Keir Starmer condemns angry rioters. Plus: what do the US primaries tell us about what to expect in the mid-terms? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 2 · 36 min
Are strikes against civilians ‘the new paradigm’ in the Ukraine war?
Massive Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities stoke fears that civilian targets will be the new normal. Then: AI fates diverge as some giants plan blockbuster IPOs and others battle lawsuits. Plus: is creativity coming back to Hollywood with ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms’? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 1 · 38 min
Netanyahu orders fresh strikes in southern Beirut as Washington tables a new Israel-Lebanon peace plan
As civilians in southern Beirut prepare to leave, we consider the potential effects of Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Then: is Europe getting tougher on Russia’s shadow fleet? Plus: why are French and British football fans celebrating by rioting? And: would you fall for a holiday gimmick? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 29 · 33 min
Israel ramps up strikes on Lebanon and Gaza despite ceasefire agreements
Benjamin Netanyahu announces that he intends to take 70 per cent of Gaza as the IDF increases strikes on Lebanon. Plus: the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa, Colombia’s Sunday elections and AI enters Tribeca Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28 · 32 min
How close is the US to invading Cuba?
We discuss how successful a US invasion of Cuba might be. Then: can Tony Blair save the UK Labour Party? Plus: should tap water be free in Italy and what makes a designer eligible for the Monocle Design Awards? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 27 · 37 min
British waters and Latvian skies become new fronts in Russia’s war
What does Russia expanding its hybrid war fronts tell us about the state of the conflict? Then: Can the West tackle corruption in its politics? And: Global tourism trends venture off the beaten track in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 26 · 39 min
Are the Abraham Accords the key to peace or pure puffery?
US president Donald Trump wants to make more Middle Eastern countries sign the Abraham Accords as part of a peace agreement – but would it actually make a difference? Then: The French presidential race hots up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25 · 37 min
Is the war in Iran creating a rift between Trump and Netanyahu?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly admitted he is losing sway over President Trump in how to handle the war in Iran. Then: the state of press freedom in the US and the domestic lives of entertainment icons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 22 · 39 min
Has World Urban Forum delivered on its theme of ‘Housing The World’?
As the World Urban Forum comes to a close in Baku, we hear from Anacláudia Rossbach, the executive director of UN-Habitat, and Prasoon Kumar, architect and founder of Billion Bricks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 21 · 34 min
Why it’s up to Pakistan to keep US-Iran peace talks on track
As Pakistan increases its diplomatic engagement with Tehran and Washington, we assess whether the nation can end the war. Plus: we analyse whether Raúl Castro’s indictment could lead to conflict between the US and Cuba. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 20 · 38 min
Xi casts China as the world’s stable power: what does this mean for the international order?
Postwar international order is in flux as Xi Jinping welcomes Vladimir Putin and projects Beijing as the world’s stable power. Meanwhile, in Europe, Donald Trump announces the withdrawal of Nato troops, reportedly in response to Friedrich Merz’s criticisms. What will the effects be? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 19 · 38 min
The stakes of the Xi-Putin summit for Taiwan and Ukraine
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet, pledging to support each other’s “core interests”. Then: Turkey looks to carve out a new role in the Middle East after the conflict in Iran. Plus: The rebellion against AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 18 · 38 min
Why Taiwan is stressing that it’s ‘not part of China’
Why Taiwan is stressing that it’s ‘not part of China’. Plus: As the UAE blames Iran for a drone strike, we look at scenarios for Gulf stability; and why the rivals for British prime minister are mooting rejoining the EU. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 15 · 31 min
A wry wrap of the week
Andrew Mueller and Rob Bound once again quiz each other over the events of the week. Then: our host delivers another zingy compilation of headlines that you might have missed. Plus: an interview with the Eurovision set designer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14 · 37 min
How the US-Iran war is casting a shadow over the Brics foreign minister meeting in India
As Brics foreign ministers meet in India, the bloc faces divisions over the US-Iran war, rising energy prices and growing global economic uncertainty. Plus: are financial burdens bringing an end to expensive weddings and parties? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 13 · 41 min
Starmer stays resolute amid leadership challenge rumours and Trump returns to Beijing
Today’s panel discusses a busy day in Whitehall and peers into its crystal ball to predict the near future. Then: we assess what has changed since Donald Trump was last invited to China. Plus: how Australia nearly built a Trump Tower. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 12 · 39 min
Qatar hosts Gulf talks amid a ‘serious escalation’ threatening vital supply routes
Qatar moves to promote peace along with its neighbours in the Gulf during a tense moment in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: have astronauts seen UFOs in space? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.