Monocle 24: The Globalist

Caracas accuses the US of “theft” and “international piracy” after its forces seize an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why the US is backing Japan after Chinese radars locked on to Japanese jets at the weekend. And: Belgrade is finally getting a metro – but will it arrive on time? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belarussian weather balloons are testing the patience of Nato member Lithuania, with the latest incursion raising fresh security concerns and prompting the government to declare a nationwide emergency. Monocle’s Andrew Mueller and exiled Belarussian journalist Hanna Liubakova discuss how much harassment Europe is prepared to tolerate from a Moscow ally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky sits down with European leaders, Xi Jinping could be about to meet Taiwan’s government and Paramount launches a cash offer for Warner Bros. Plus: Aviation news and Corinthia Hotels at ILTM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Syrians celebrate ‘Liberation Day’, we get the mood on the ground in Damascus and assess how far the country has come. Then: Hong Kong’s local elections in the wake of deadly fires and the future of Hollywood as Netflix buys Warner Bros Discovery. Plus: Monocle’s Christmas market in Paris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss what’s on the agenda as Putin meets Modi in India. Then: the potential fallout for Ursula von der Leyen as the EU’s former chief diplomat, Federica Mogherini, is accused of fraud. Plus: we speak to the winner of The Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the situation in Venezuela as US assets build up in the Caribbean and Trump shows no sign of backing down. Then: the search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 will resume more than a decade after it vanished. Plus: we’re in Cannes for the International Luxury Travel Market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Emmanuel Macron strike a balance with Beijing on his state visit? Then: The US carried out a deadly “double tap” strike on a Venezuelan boat but who was responsible for the order? Plus: The top global cities for cyclists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the impact of Pope Leo’s first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon. Then: the history of democracy in Gdańsk as Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and German chancellor Friedrich Merz meet in Berlin. Plus: we dive into Monocle’s new Switzerland handbook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Ukraine's corruption scandal makes headlines again, we unpack what this means for the prospect of peace. Then: We sit down with with New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern. Plus: News from the Mediterranean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hondurans head to the polls on Sunday to vote for a new president – we unpack Washington's keen interest. Then: The reaction from France as Macron announces a voluntary military-service plan. Plus: Tyler Brûlé looks ahead to Monocle's Christmas Markets, which begin this weekend in Zürich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the latest as French and Iranian officials work through a nuclear standoff and prisoner dilemma. Then: Pope Leo XIV heads to Turkey on his first foreign trip. Plus: how to make a Thanksgiving feast with an international flair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump labels Venezuela president Nicolás Maduro the head of a terrorist organisation. What does this mean for the South American country? Plus: why do modern space missions seem to be struggling?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sudan’s army chief dismisses the latest ceasefire proposal as “the worst yet”. What will this mean for the country’s expanding war? Then we flip through the Nordic newspapers and head to Riyadh for a new edition of Salone del Mobile.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the negotiations behind the Trump administration’s 28-point peace plan for Ukraine and ask whether Republika Srpska's presidential election can actually bring change? Plus: The 11th Explorers Festival in Húsavík.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As leaders and diplomats from more than 40 nations arrive in South Africa for a historic G20 summit, the Trump administration’s decision to skip the event is raising eyebrows. With demonstrations expected, we discuss the stakes and what Africa’s first-ever G20 summit could mean for the continent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a second time, Kosovo’s parliament has failed to elect a prime minister. We assess the implications for the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, accuses Russia of an unprecedented act of sabotage. How dangerous a game is Russia playing here? Meanwhile: Zelensky heads to Turkey for talks with president Erdoğan and US envoy Steve Witkoff – but without Russia’s participation. Plus: Zürich’s Christmas market comes to Paris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent months, rocket testing and loudspeaker broadcasts have been added to the list of border incursions in South Korea by North Korean troops. We consider whether military talks could offer a solution. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

German finance minister Lars Klingbeil travels to Beijing at a time of serious questions about just how reliant Germany’s economy is on China. Plus: Andrew Ross Sorkin on the next financial bubble, Pope Leo goes to Hollywood and Shezad Dawood on using art to profile the environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.