The Monocle Daily

Latest Episodes:

How Oman has turned mediation into part of its foreign-policy identity Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Iran’s foreign ministry is discussing a new Strait of Hormuz shipping route with Oman. Julie Norman and Mark Earls explore Oman’s soft-power influence. Plus: what makes residents spend a weekend in their own city?

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Packing up the car for your summer holidays? Here’s the Monocle guide to sunny road trips Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Our weekly quiz dives into Anthony Fauci’s diary and public nuisances in Singapore. Then: as Europeans drive off on their holidays, our Monocle contributors give you their recommendations for the best food, tunes and etiquette while on the road.

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Iceland’s EU referendum and our shortcuts to a happier summer Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Inga Thordar and Alexander Görlach on Iceland’s looming EU referendum and why the organisation is popular again. Plus: an aerial-firefighting CEO and shortcuts to a happier summer from our ‘Med, Mountains & More’ newspaper.

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Refuelling in southern France: Firefighters make progress but bigger challenges remain Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Thomas Waterhouse joins us from Lacanau, where French water bombers are refilling from a nearby lake to fight the fires. Our panel of Ash Bhardwaj and Zoë Grünewald assess the fallout for tourism and politics.

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Broken norms: Are leaders less shy about backing other countries’ candidates? Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Antônio Sampaio and Marion Messmer discuss Argentine president Javier Milei’s direct intervention in Brazil’s elections, endorsing Flávio Bolsonaro and calling President Lula a “convict” and “delinquent”. Has it become the norm for politicians to intervene across borders?

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The conflicts in Ukraine and Iran converge. Plus: What to make of political leaders’ attire? Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Regional conflicts in Ukraine and Iran intersect as Kyiv hits a ship from Tehran in the Caspian Sea. Could the wars become global? Then: Can we learn from political leaders’ sartorial decisions – or are we too buttoned up?

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Is controlling the sun the brightest idea? Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Tira Shubart and Andrew Mueller discuss the plans to reflect the sun’s rays in a way to capitalise on solar energy. What could possibly go wrong for life on Earth? Plus: a light round-up of the week’s events.

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The costs of war for the US and who will foot Pakistan’s mediation bill? Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Charles Hecker and Patti Cohen on the effects of Yemen’s Houthis on global shipping, how much the Iran war will cost the US, whether Pakistan will get compensated for mediation and how fresh EU sanctions impact Russia.

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The message that a US deal allowing Saudi nuclear enrichment sends to the world Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Hannah Lucinda Smith and Erin O’Halloran assess the global impact of a US agreement to build out Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy programme. Plus: why Japan’s prime minister was pleased to get five hours of sleep over the weekend. And Guy De Launey reports on a Balkan conspiracy.

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What UK prime minister Andy Burnham’s new cabinet tells us and the French far right shuns Elon Musk Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Andy Burnham’s cabinet sit down for their first meeting: what can we learn from their early policy positions? Then: why is the French far right bucking the tech-bro trend and shunning Elon Musk? Plus: Chengdu’s West Village.

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