Guests Vincent McAviney and Isabel Hilton explore how countries are reacting to the US and Ukraine’s shifting allegiances. Then: a look at whether soft power still exists as a concept; the merits of prescribing comedy to tackle mental health; and whether men are more romantic than women. Plus: an interview with Nato’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, General Chris Badia.

Is the Geordie Howe International Bridge a symbol of all that’s going wrong between the US and Canada?
31:11

Press freedoms in Afghanistan on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban takeover
35:46

What’s in a university ranking? How the US and UK still dominate
38:40