Category Archives: Stories

News: Rebuilding Syria After 13 Years Of Civil War, Ukraine-Russia War

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 12, 2024): What will it take to resurrect Syria’s once-stunning built environment? Also in the programme: the humanitarian view from Odessa with Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the results of a new poll from the European Council on Foreign Relations on attitudes towards EU-UK relations.

Plus, we examine the global implications of Kenya’s illicit gold trade and take a dram from the seasonal whiskey menu at the Fife Arms.

News: Israel Strikes 500 Military Targets In Syria, Macron Battles Far Right

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 11, 2024): Following the overthrow of the Assad regime, what will happen to the millions of Syrians who were granted asylum abroad? We give you the latest and look at why strikes are continuing.

Plus: Emmanuel Macron’s grand coalition talks, China sends its largest fleet in nearly 30 years to the Taiwan region – and we meet Finland’s ambassador to the UK, Jukka Siukosaari, and Business Finland’s director for western Europe, Jukka Holappa.

News: Future Of Syria To Be Discussed At United Nations, Netayahu Trial

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 10, 2024): Following the collapse of the Assad regime, the UN Security Council meets to discuss what comes next in Syria.

Also in the programme: the UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, makes a historic visit to Cyprus; we meet the president and CEO of Future Caucus; and a flick through the new handbook launched by Monocle last night. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco on 2025’s Golden Globes.

News: Assad Flees Syria To Russia, Whe Rebels Victory Was So Swift, South Korea

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 9, 2024): The latest on Syria as Bashar al-Assad flees to Moscow and rebels claim Damascus. Plus, the future of Yoon Suk Yeol, Romania’s cancelled election and Saudi Arabia’s new date-based soft drink.

Sunday Morning: Stories From Zürich & Singapore

Monocle on Sunday (December 8, 2024): Juliet Linley and Myriam Zumbühl join Monocle’s editorial director, Tyler Brûlé, to discuss the week’s key topics in a festive programme during Monocle’s Christmas market in Zürich. Plus: an update from Naomi Xu Elegant in Singapore.

Saturday Morning: News And Stories From London

Monocle on Saturday (December 7, 2024): Join Georgina Godwin and Charles Hecker for a round-up of the week’s news and culture. Plus: a conversation with Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls, writer and director of ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’.

News: Syria Rebel Forces Target Damascus, South Korea’s Yoon Faces Recall

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 6, 2024): As France’s political crisis reverberates across Europe, Simon Bouvier and Florence Biedermann join Emma Nelson to discuss the options Macron has left.

Plus: Andrew Mueller on how not to stage a coup d’etat and Nordic news with Petri Burtsoff.

News: Political Chaos In France After Vote, Justice System Politicized In U.S.

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 5, 2024): Following a historic vote in France’s parliament, we get the latest from Paris on what’s next for the government.

Then: we look at what both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are describing as a politicised justice system and hear about Germany’s war preparedness plans. Plus: we meet the new director of Art Basel Miami Beach, Bridget Finn. Then: our team in Cannes for the International Luxury Travel Market sits down with Dan Ruff, the CEO of Belmond.

News: South Korea’s Yoon Declares Martial Law, Emir Of Qatar Visits UK

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 4, 2024): We get the latest from Seoul as South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, declares emergency martial law.

Then: Nato leaders gather in Brussels at a tense time for geopolitics, the emir of Qatar boosts his nation’s soft power with a UK state visit and we look at the latest debt-for-climate deal in Barbados. Plus: Monocle’s editorial director, Tyler Brûlé, sits down with the CEO of Accor, Sébastien Bazin, at the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes.

News: Government In France Faces Collapse, Rebels Advance In Syria

Monocle Radio Podcast (December 3, 2024): French prime minister Michel Barnier’s government faces collapse as right-wing parties push back on his budget proposal.

We’ll also discuss the latest out of Syria and why Japan has doubled its military-aid budget. Then: we cross to Cannes as the Monocle team hits the International Luxury Travel Market.