The Monocle Daily

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.

Philippe Malier, a UCL professor on French and European politics, and Lynn O'Donnell, an international affairs columnist, discuss Europe's unity four years into the war in Ukraine. They examine military and political fault lines, the prospects for defending and rebuilding Ukraine, French political fallout and the rise of the far right. The conversation also touches on Winter Olympics viewership and shifting social habits in South Korea.

James Rogers, former BBC Moscow correspondent and author, reflects on Russia’s post‑Cold War trajectory. Jacob Parakillis, Rand Europe security lead, discusses Ukraine, cartel violence and EU security friction. Terry Stiasny, political journalist and author, explores domestic politics shaping Europe’s Russia stance. They cover Mexico’s cartel retaliation, Hungary’s sanctions blockade and the strain on European unity.

Andrew Muller, Monocle contributing editor and Milan wrap-up commentator. Dr. Marion Mesmer, Chatham House security expert on European defence industrial cooperation. Evelyn Farkas, former US deputy assistant secretary of defense on transatlantic trust and strategy. H.J. Mai, Washington reporter on the Supreme Court ruling and political fallout. They discuss the court’s tariff decision, business and trade implications, NATO trust and the E5 defence pact.

Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue and King's College visiting professor, and Yossi Mekelberg, Chatham House MENA analyst, dig into Trump's new Board of Peace and its implications. They also debate tense US-Iran diplomacy, Venezuela’s diplomatic shift, and how food, sport and soft power shape international relations.

Marie Leconte, French–Moroccan political journalist and commentator on culture wars. Ash Bardwaj, travel writer and parent reflecting on travel and family life. Patricia Veal, Milan-based architect and co-founder of ACPV. They debate social-media addiction and bans for under-16s, alternatives to algorithmic feeds, politicization of sport and culture, and Milan’s evolving urban architecture.

David Brennan, ABC reporter offering on‑the‑ground political reporting, and Alex von Tunzelmann, historian and author, discuss high‑stakes Geneva talks on Ukraine‑Russia and Iran. They debate prospects for breakthroughs and what could end the Ukraine war. They also examine Europe's defence spending pressures and national political constraints. Plus a segment on the Vatican’s new AI translation for Mass.

Chris Phillips, a Middle East scholar and author, offers insight on US-led initiatives and regional reactions. Rainbow Murray, a politics professor, examines European responses and social polarization. They discuss the Board of Peace, Gaza reconstruction pledges, Marco Rubio’s Hungary visit and great-power election influence. Conversation also turns to horoscopes, the Year of the Horse and China’s shifting geopolitical room.

Andrew Muller, satirical weekly commentator. Julia Jen, security analyst focused on Ukraine. Carlotta Rebello, on-the-ground correspondent at Munich. They cover the Munich Security Conference mood and transatlantic defence debates. They explore Ukraine’s battlefield tech and tactics. They report lively scenes, protests and sponsorship angles from week one of the Milan Cortina Winter Games.

Yanis X. Haros, CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services, explains the scale of producing global Olympic coverage. Tira Schubert, Royal Astronomical Society fellow and Science Museum ambassador, discusses Baltic security, hybrid threats and supply-chain leverage. Jonathan Fenby, journalist and former South China Morning Post editor, analyses Europe’s unity, shifting trust in the US and diplomacy with Iran.