The Monocle Daily

Oscar Guardiola Rivera, a professor of international law and affairs, offers legal and geopolitical perspective. Tina Fordham, a geopolitical strategist and author, explains market and strategic implications. They debate whether Iran will quickly collapse, US and Israeli aims, oil and market moves, and China–North Korea rail ties. Short, sharp conversation on resilience, regional strategy and diplomatic signaling.

Daniel Rachel, author and historian of music and fascist iconography. Simon Brook, journalist on geopolitics and media. Zoe Grunewald, Westminster editor and political commentator. They discuss soaring oil prices, why the G7 held back on reserve releases, US–Europe splits and Iran’s potential leverage. They also debate Russia’s cultural readmission and how musicians flirted with Nazi aesthetics.

Tara Kangalu, global affairs journalist and author on Iran, on post-leader power struggles and regional fallout. Christopher Sabatini, Latin America expert, on rapid US–Venezuela rapprochement and practical impacts. Sophie Monaghan-Coombs, culture editor, on Madrid’s vibrant art and design week. Grace Charlton, design and fashion editor, on niche trends and luxury houses courting devoted audiences.

Elisabeth Braw, defence and energy analyst, and Stephen Dalziel, Russia specialist, unpack shifting alliances and market shocks. They discuss how rising oil prices and Strait of Hormuz risks reshape Russia’s economy. They explore Russia’s drone production and Ukraine selling drone-defence expertise to Gulf states. NATO, Turkey and shipping security also feature in the conversation.

Phil Tinline, political commentator on European reactions. Rachel Cunliffe, journalist focused on UK politics and energy. They discuss the US Senate war‑powers vote and parallels with Iraq. They debate Europe’s split over supporting US actions and where Europe will find energy next. They also cover renewables’ supply‑chain risks and proposals for social media regulation.

Inzamam Rashid, Dubai-based Gulf correspondent reporting on air defences and strikes; Nick Gowing, veteran security analyst; Latika Burke, international affairs journalist. They discuss Iran’s strikes and Gulf airspace risks. They examine regional escalation, Hezbollah and Lebanon, and how US attention on Iran might affect support and systems for Ukraine.

Kenneth R. Rosen, author and Arctic geopolitics expert; Quentin Peel, journalist on geopolitics and markets; Bertu Urschelik, Middle East security specialist. They debate Europe’s varied responses to US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Conversation covers Tehran’s reactions, risks of wider Gulf entanglement, market impacts and how NATO and Arctic tensions intersect with global security.

Sir Isaac Julian, artist-filmmaker behind the installation All That Changes You, explores transformation through mirrored screens and immersive design. David Reiter, musician from Lucy Dreams, describes using an artificial band member and translating studio-machine interplay into live performance. They talk about Sanremo’s TV grip, AI in music, immersive art and how technology reshapes creative presentation.

Michael Binion, a foreign affairs analyst on Hungary, Ukraine and US–Iran tensions. Marta Lorimer, a politics lecturer focused on populism and European foreign policy. They debate Hungary’s energy spat over the Druzhba pipeline and whether energy policy is being weaponised. They weigh domestic politics, EU vetoes and the impact on Ukraine’s aid. Conversation also touches on US–Iran talks and odd highway design trends.

Alexander Gerlach, NYU political philosopher who analyses geopolitics and trade. Julie Norman, UCL lecturer on international relations and policy. They discuss Friedrich Merz’s Beijing visit and Germany’s trade deficit with China. They weigh Europe’s leverage over Beijing and why Western leaders are hedging against US unpredictability. They also debate China’s ties with Russia and regional security risks.