The Monocle Daily What is the realistic timeline for ending the conflict in the Middle East?
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Mar 31, 2026 Robin Lustig, veteran international affairs broadcaster, and Caroline Frost, cultural and political commentator, unpack Netanyahu’s ‘halfway’ claim and what it could mean for a timeline to end the conflict. They probe US‑Europe rifts over strategy and the UK’s role, weigh Russia’s tightening internet controls and social pressures, and even debate Eurovision’s expansion into Asia.
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Caroline Frost Had A Film Shot In Her Flat
- Caroline Frost described having a feature film shot in her flat, spending three months away and finding it redecorated.
- She said crews are "big" and "military" in logistics, and she was denied a cameo on the final day.
Western Alliances Are Deeply Fractured
- The conflict has fractured traditional Western unity, reversing Suez-era roles with Europe distancing itself from the US.
- Robin Lustig warned Trump's rhetoric and contradictions deepen divisions and complicate finding an exit strategy.
Israel Frames Progress To Fit US Political Needs
- Israel may frame its objectives as finite to help US politics and give President Trump an exit narrative.
- Robin Lustig noted Netanyahu's omission of the Lebanon campaign and suggested the halfway line helps Trump politically.