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.Social links:
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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 and what are the regional implications?
28:01
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 appeals as a location and the prospect for progress on either side.
40:46
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. Plus: the latest business news and a check-in from Milano Fashion Week.
28:27
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 member of Russian feminist activist group Pussy Riot. Plus: European news with Ed Stocker.
30:22
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 we meet Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar in Tokyo.
27:03
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 director of brand, identity and look for the Winter Olympics.
30:33
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested and former South Korean president sentenced to life
Monocle’s Andrew Tuck joins to discuss Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest and its significance for the royal family. Then: South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, is sentenced to life in prison. And: Airbus warns that it’s struggling to get engines.
32:03
What makes you feel proud of your country?
Pew Research Center asked 30,000 people what makes them proud of their country. We parse through the results – between attitudes, geography and cuisine. Plus: Monocle staffers share why they’re proud of their nations.
44:19
The legacy of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson
A protege of Martin Luther King Jr, Jesse Jackson left an indelible mark on US politics. Then: why Saudi Arabia is downsizing development plans and how Jamaica is building climate resilience into tourism.
28:57
Palestine drafts a constitution, while Israel moves closer to ‘de facto annexation’ of the West Bank
Palestine takes one step forward and two steps back on statehood. Then: what is the future of Gulf Co-operation Council and EU relations? Plus: Brazil’s first Olympic gold and ‘Monocle in Milan’.
31:16