Monocle 24: The Globalist

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.

Switzerland’s hopes rise for tariff relief as talks in Washington intensify. Plus: Chile prepares for a lurch to the right in Sunday’s elections. And: the winner of the Latte Art Grading System World Championship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venezuela is preparing guerrilla-style resistance in the case of a US attack and the UK halts some intelligence-sharing with Washington over increasingly unpredictable offensives in the Caribbean. Then: Saudi Arabia hosts Tourise. Plus: Japan’s carmakers feel the sting of US tariffs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iraq holds parliamentary elections plagued by political boycotts and voter disillusionment. Can they buck the trend? Then: will a new EU intelligence community secure the bloc’s international standing? Plus: the latest aviation news and Abu Dhabi’s cultural offerings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore life on the ground in Ukraine with a charity founder and the business editor of the ‘Kyiv Independent’ as Russian attacks limit the country’s ability to provide heat and electricity to its citizens. Plus: The Booker Prize winner and Christie’s London head of jewellery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syria’s leader can celebrate the UN Security Council lifting sanctions, just ahead of his visit to the White House today. Plus: We ask the founders of A Land for All: is there is a better two-state solution for the Middle East? Also: Baillie Gifford Prize winner Helen Garner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump hosts Hungary’s prime minister, who hopes that Russian oil won’t be on the meeting agenda. Plus: What next for Hamas, news from the Mediterranean and can you guess the Louvre’s password? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morocco has declared a national holiday after UN powers recognised its plans for Western Sahara. But what if the Trump administration and others miscalculated in the name of peace? Plus: why the Summit of the Americas is cancelled and the latest from World Travel Market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the significance of the fierce battles around the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Plus: the results of a series of US elections, the State of Asia conference in Zürich and the Tokyo International Film Festival comes to a close.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwan’s ongoing battle for resignation has stalled in Estonia over the naming of its representation. Plus: The director of Dubai Design Week, Natasha Carella; and OK Go frontman Damian Kulash on why the music video lives on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Serbians gather in Novi Sad for protests marking a year since the station-canopy collapse that killed 16 people. Plus: US nuclear testing, Victoria’s Indigenous treaty, London’s oldest Islamic bookshop and theatre news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a meeting between the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies seems to go better than expected, we discuss the ramifications for the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Presidents Trump and Xi hold a consequential meeting in Seoul to iron out trade relations. Is progress possible? Plus: police raids rip through Rio de Janeiro and the Dutch election results. Then: are you faster than the Slovakian pedestrian speed limit?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dutch voters head to the polls, Lebanon’s race to disarm Hezbollah, Australia’s PM heads to Malaysia and the US government shutdown’s impact on aviation. Plus: the ‘Perfume, sculpture of the invisible’ exhibition in Paris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue. Will Trump’s intervention help? Then: Canada’s ambitions for a trade agreement with the Philippines. Plus: European aerospace companies look to build a rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Asean summit kicks off in Kuala Lumpur as the world watches trade negotiations between China and the US. Then: Argentinians head to the polls, Pope Leo embarks on his first foreign trip and we take you to the Helsinki Book Fair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.