
The Briefing
129 episodes — Page 1 of 3
On stage for Emmanuel Macron’s viral moment in Kenya
Ukraine-Russia ceasefire ends but Kyiv’s renewed confidence continues
Is it all over for Keir Starmer? Cabinet faces questions
Trump rejects Iran’s peace proposal
Trump’s global 10 per cent tariffs ruled illegal as he pushes for an EU-trade deal
Can Marco Rubio smooth things over with Pope Leo XIV and Giorgia Meloni?
Does the end of ‘Project Freedom’ point to peace? Plus: Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire’s Paris
Is the ceasefire in Lebanon all but over?
Trump announces ‘Project Freedom’ and Zambia cancels world’s largest human rights and tech conference
Trump threatens troop withdrawal in Europe
Pete Hegseth defends Iran war – and calls his critics the true adversary
How healthy is the special relationship? Assessing King Charles III’s speech to Congress
Will Canada’s sovereign wealth fund bolster its economy in the face of Trump’s tariffs?
Palestinians vote in Gaza for the first time in 20 years
Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire after White House talks
Trump in the polls: the domestic impact of US foreign policy
Planes, trains and ferries: How the Iran war is affecting travel
Lula in Lisbon: what’s on the agenda?
Are US-Iran peace talks still on the table?
How tourism in the UAE is staying resilient despite the Iran war
Live from Sharjah: The UAE’s start-ups look beyond the conflict
Live from Dubai: The state of tourism and education in the Gulf
Live from Abu Dhabi: Lebanese and Israeli officials set to meet in Washington for the first time in decades
The US prepares to launch Iranian port blockade within hours and Viktor Orbán defeated in Hungary
The view from Beirut on Israel’s deadly strikes. And: Hungary’s pivotal elections
US-Iran ceasefire tested by deadly Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Keir Starmer heads to the Gulf after the US and Iran agree to a ceasefire
Trump’s Iran deadline approaches and JD Vance visits Hungary to bolster Victor Orbán’s election chances
Asia’s worsening fuel crisis: a sign of what’s to come for Europe?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.