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The Briefing

The Briefing

129 episodes — Page 1 of 3

On stage for Emmanuel Macron’s viral moment in Kenya

May 14, 202634 min

Ukraine-Russia ceasefire ends but Kyiv’s renewed confidence continues

May 13, 202630 min

Is it all over for Keir Starmer? Cabinet faces questions

May 12, 202634 min

Trump rejects Iran’s peace proposal

May 11, 202629 min

Trump’s global 10 per cent tariffs ruled illegal as he pushes for an EU-trade deal

May 8, 202630 min

Can Marco Rubio smooth things over with Pope Leo XIV and Giorgia Meloni?

May 7, 202632 min

Does the end of ‘Project Freedom’ point to peace? Plus: Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire’s Paris

May 6, 202623 min

Is the ceasefire in Lebanon all but over?

May 5, 202633 min

Trump announces ‘Project Freedom’ and Zambia cancels world’s largest human rights and tech conference

May 4, 202632 min

Trump threatens troop withdrawal in Europe

May 1, 202630 min

Pete Hegseth defends Iran war – and calls his critics the true adversary

Apr 30, 202631 min

How healthy is the special relationship? Assessing King Charles III’s speech to Congress

Apr 29, 202625 min

Will Canada’s sovereign wealth fund bolster its economy in the face of Trump’s tariffs?

Apr 28, 202634 min

Palestinians vote in Gaza for the first time in 20 years

Apr 27, 202631 min

Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire after White House talks

Apr 24, 202629 min

Trump in the polls: the domestic impact of US foreign policy

Apr 23, 202630 min

Planes, trains and ferries: How the Iran war is affecting travel

Apr 22, 202629 min

Lula in Lisbon: what’s on the agenda?

Apr 21, 202631 min

Are US-Iran peace talks still on the table?

Apr 20, 202629 min

How tourism in the UAE is staying resilient despite the Iran war

Apr 17, 202632 min

Live from Sharjah: The UAE’s start-ups look beyond the conflict

Apr 16, 202632 min

Live from Dubai: The state of tourism and education in the Gulf

Apr 15, 202639 min

Live from Abu Dhabi: Lebanese and Israeli officials set to meet in Washington for the first time in decades

Apr 14, 202639 min

The US prepares to launch Iranian port blockade within hours and Viktor Orbán defeated in Hungary

Apr 13, 202640 min

The view from Beirut on Israel’s deadly strikes. And: Hungary’s pivotal elections

Apr 10, 202624 min

US-Iran ceasefire tested by deadly Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Apr 9, 202630 min

Keir Starmer heads to the Gulf after the US and Iran agree to a ceasefire

Apr 8, 202630 min

Trump’s Iran deadline approaches and JD Vance visits Hungary to bolster Victor Orbán’s election chances

Apr 7, 202628 min

Asia’s worsening fuel crisis: a sign of what’s to come for Europe?

Apr 6, 202622 min

Is Donald Trump starting to fire his cabinet?

Could the departure of Pam Bondi herald the start of a greater cabinet reshuffle? Plus: a look at life on the Ukrainian frontlines with Anastacia Galouchka, and Asia news with Tom Webb.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 3, 202625 min

How would ending birthright citizenship change American society?

In a presidential first, Donald Trump attended the Supreme Court hearing on the changes to birthright citizenship that his administration is pushing for. Will the conservative-majority justices rule against him?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 2, 202637 min

Ukraine’s Easter truce proposal and Israel’s death-penalty bill for Palestinians

Ukraine marks a grim anniversary in Bucha and pledges an Easter ceasefire. Then: international outcry over Israel’s new death-penalty bill for Palestinians. Plus: Nic Monisse with some exciting design news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 1, 202629 min

Iran hits Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai – are energy targets now fair game?

Iran appears to be calling Donald Trump’s bluff by reportedly striking a Kuwaiti oil. Are energy targets now on the table? Plus: London looks to revitalise its fashion-capital status. And: Eurovision heads east.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 31, 202629 min

A new front in the Middle East as Houthis enter the conflict

Iran-backed Houthis have launched missiles against Israel. We discuss their control over Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and how their involvement could change the conflict. Plus: artist Tim Yip on his show at Art Basel Hong Kong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 30, 202630 min

Marco Rubio arrives at the G7 as Trump lashes out at allies

Who has the upper hand at the G7 as US secretary of state Marco Rubio arrives to garner support for military action in Iran while allies push for answers on how the conflict will end?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 27, 202634 min

The Philippines becomes the first country to declare a state of emergency over the global energy crisis

Protests break out in the Philippines over fuel shortages. We discuss the spreading impact of the Middle East conflict. Then: mixed messages on Iran negotiations continue. Plus: this week’s episode of ‘The Global Countdown’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 26, 202629 min

The true state of US-Iran negotiations amid conflicting reports from Tehran, Washington and Islamabad

Pakistan offers to host US-Iran peace talks while Iranian officials warn “no one like us will make a deal”. Plus: Danish PM Mette Frederiksen resigns after weak election results and a Japanese pop icon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 202631 min

Israel to hold a ‘security zone’ in the south of Lebanon

Israel promises to continue its campaign in Lebanon. What does it have planned for the country’s south now that a ‘security zone’ has been announced? Plus: Asia oil markets, Italy’s referendum results and Monocle at Mipim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 24, 202633 min

A new mayor in Paris: who is Emmanuel Grégoire?

We discuss the winners and losers from France’s municipal elections in Paris, Marseille and across the country. Then: a narrow victory for Slovenia’s incumbent liberal prime minister. Plus: inside Konfekt’s spring issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 23, 202633 min

The scramble to take energy infrastructure off the hit list in the Middle East

We discuss the damage from strikes in Iran and the Gulf, and whether Israel’s promise to stop targeting Iranian gas fields will do anything to reassure the region. Then: was Sanae Takaichi’s meeting with Trump a success? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 202634 min

All talk? The European Council convenes in Brussels amid global disruption

We discuss the aims of the European Council Summit at a crucial juncture. Plus: Thailand embraces stability as a new prime minister is appointed and what we can learn from the world’s happiest nation?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 202634 min

Zelensky in Europe as focus shifts to Iran

We discuss how Volodymyr Zelensky is working to put Ukraine back on the agenda as he lands in Madrid after meetings in London and Paris. Plus: Frank McCourt on reclaiming your digital identity and the latest Swiss news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 18, 202635 min

Trump delays direct talks with Xi as the Iran war rages on

As the US president postpones a high-stakes summit with China’s leader, we discuss the mutual strategies at play. Then: France’s municipal election results and Lucas Santtana’s new album, ‘Brasiliano’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 17, 202626 min

Can the US rely on its allies in the war in Iran?

Trump warns Nato that it must assist the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Can he rely on the US’s allies after a year of berating them? Plus: the surge in oil markets continues. Then: we take stock of the Oscars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 16, 202629 min

The future of the far right in Germany. And: The winner of the Pritzker Prize

We discuss what’s next for Alternative for Germany after a court rules that the party cannot be labelled as an “extremist” group. Plus: an interview with Giorgos Karampelas, creative director of K-Studio, at Mipim 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 13, 202634 min

Iran steps up attacks in the Gulf as oil prices jump

We discuss how increased attacks across the region are pushing energy prices back up despite a historic release of reserves. Plus: Amanda Driehorst, strategy and sales manager at Schindler, on innovation in “vertical” home mobility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 12, 202636 min

Turkey’s mass corruption trial gets under way

Istanbul’s mayor is among hundreds facing corruption charges in a trial that his party says is politically motivated. Plus: Paris Fashion Week highlights and we speak to Hyatt’s Felicity Black-Roberts at Mipim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 11, 202635 min

How the war in Iran is changing Qatar’s global standing. And: urban festival Mipim

We head to Doha as Qatar warns of dramatic global consequences if the war with Iran continues. Then: elections in Colombia. Plus: we’re off to Cannes to hear about the latest in affordable housing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 10, 202631 min

Mark Carney on the attractiveness of Canada’s military

Part two of Tyler Brûlé’s interview with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. Plus: we delve into the appointment of the late Ayatollah Khamenei’s son and consider what it will mean for Iran’s ongoing war with Israel and the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 9, 202630 min

A war of numbers: can the Gulf keep up?

We get the latest on the Iran war from Dubai and discuss how long defensive ammunition in the Gulf will last against Iranian attacks. Plus: the latest business news and cultural headlines from France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 6, 202631 min