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The Monocle Daily

The Monocle Daily

Monocle 100 Episodes Aug 21, 2026

The Monocle Daily is a weekday news podcast that offers a global perspective on the day's events. Each episode features a panel of guests who review stories from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia. The show includes reports and analysis from Monocle's correspondents and bureaux around the world. It was nominated for 'Best Daily Podcast' in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

Episodes

Live from Zürich: How will the upgraded China trade deal affect Swiss business?
Live from Zürich: How will the upgraded China trade deal affect Swiss business? Aug 21, 2026 2313 Emma Nelson is joined by Erich Hoesli and Eveline Rosa to discuss the elimination of tariffs on almost all Swiss exports to China and whether learning a new language can AI-proof your career. Plus: Swiss trends in the travel and hospitality industry and Andrew Mueller’s ‘What We Learned’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How would the US pulling troops from the Gulf shift regional power dynamics?
How would the US pulling troops from the Gulf shift regional power dynamics? Aug 20, 2026 2019 The US is mulling a major troop pull-back from the Gulf – is this a victory for Iran? Then: What will Latin Americans give up for security? Plus: Monocle’s September issue has some useful life lessons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is the Gordie Howe International Bridge a symbol of all that’s going wrong between the US and Canada?
Is the Gordie Howe International Bridge a symbol of all that’s going wrong between the US and Canada? Aug 19, 2026 1872 Are Trump’s tariff threats against Canada burning bridges with the US’s favourite neighbour? Then: Meta on trial, hardship bonuses for diplomats and does bigger mean better when it comes to airports?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Press freedoms in Afghanistan on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban takeover
Press freedoms in Afghanistan on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban takeover Aug 18, 2026 2147 In August 2021, Taliban fighters took control of the presidential palace in Kabul and re-established control over the whole country. Five years on, we look at how media access and the freedom of expression continue to be eroded. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What’s in a university ranking? How the US and UK still dominate
What’s in a university ranking? How the US and UK still dominate Aug 17, 2026 2321 China is a budding superpower but the US and UK still dominate global university charts, even those by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. We hear from economist Guy Standing, plus our panel of Alex von Tunzelmann and Mark Earls weigh in on why autocrats still send their kids to Harvard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beating the heat and our recommendations for books that transport you
Beating the heat and our recommendations for books that transport you Aug 14, 2026 2846 Robert Bound returns to defend his ‘The Daily Weekly Quiz’ title. We head to the Gulf, North Korea and Australia for tips on how to beat the heat. Plus: stuck at home in August? Book recommendations that will whisk you away. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is Crink and should it worry the West?
What is Crink and should it worry the West? Aug 13, 2026 2132 China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are increasingly co-operating militarily. How steadfast is this alliance and should it worry the West? Plus: Germany’s ‘spy revolution’, Karoline Leavitt leaves and the pros and cons of Unesco’s World Heritage List. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why has the US asked Ukraine to curb strikes on Russia?  
Why has the US asked Ukraine to curb strikes on Russia?   Aug 12, 2026 2194 Ukraine halts strikes on Russia’s tankers as per JD Vance’s request. Then: Donald Trump’s catering van controversy, French journalists go to war with AI and we get down to “Swissness”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The ‘Ice Silk Road’: China’s new shipping route
The ‘Ice Silk Road’: China’s new shipping route Aug 11, 2026 2147 Sea Legend shipping company is launching the first regular container service along Russia’s northern Arctic coast. Then: the World Bank helps Lebanon with its digital transformation. And: France says ‘non’ to unsolicited telemarketing calls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is the Iran war exposing the limits of US dominance in the Middle East?
Is the Iran war exposing the limits of US dominance in the Middle East? Aug 10, 2026 2338 Rejected by Israel and left out by Oman: is Donald Trump losing influence in the Middle East? Then: plans to change the French parliament spark outrage. And: would you wear air-conditioned clothing?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How big of a deal is the Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan defence deal?
How big of a deal is the Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan defence deal? Aug 7, 2026 2608 We examine the significance for the region and the world at the announcement of a new Middle East security deal. Then: our weekly quiz, chairs to make the neighbours jealous and ‘What We Learned’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are the FBI, the FSB and China’s Ministry of Public Security now all on the same side?
Are the FBI, the FSB and China’s Ministry of Public Security now all on the same side? Aug 6, 2026 2081 Russia, China and the US are teaming up for global law enforcement. Then: the left’s media machine, London’s pigeon war and we settle the debate over packing light versus packing heavy once and for all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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