12 December 2014
Episode 807
59 minutes
We look ahead to Sunday’s general election in Japan with Professor Ian Neary of Oxford University. Plus a report from the West Bank as tensions continue to rise and we ask why Norway's Christmas tree exports are on the slide.
12 December 2014
Share episode
DownloadWant more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
The Briefing - latest episodes
The US considers splitting foreign aid
As Republicans in the US House of Representatives attempt to split funding to Israel and Ukraine despite Kyiv’s urgent pleas, we look ahead to Friday’s vote. Then: as Israel’s war cabinet debates how to retaliate against…
Israel-Iran escalation and Trump stands trial
As the escalation between Israel and Iran continues, we hear the latest on the ground in Jerusalem and look at the risks of contagion in the wider region. Then, to the UK, where MPs are set to vote today on the government’s…
Israel-Iran relations and Olaf Scholz in China
As Israel confirms that it is prepared to act both defensively and offensively if Iran were to attack, we look at US attempts at deterrence. Then: Olaf Scholz’s visit to China as he hopes to bolster Germany’s faltering…
When two become three: Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jr meet
Joe Biden hosts the first trilateral White House summit with Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, and president Ferdinand Marcos Jr of the Philippines. Then: outnumbered on the battlefield, Ukraine scraps demobilisation…
South Korea heads to the polls and the Delphi Economic Forum
We discuss exit-poll results from South Korea’s national assembly elections. Plus: Monocle’s Andrew Mueller checks in from the first day of the Delphi Economic Forum, a court rules South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma…
David Cameron’s US charm offensive
What does David Cameron’s US charm offensive tell us about the UK’s foreign-policy strategy? Plus: we discuss whether Ireland’s new taoiseach, Simon Harris, will help to boost Fine Gael’s electoral prospects and why Germ…
Protests in Israel against Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza strategy
As hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets in more than 50 locations across Israel to protest Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war, we look at the mounting pressure on the government to change its strategy…
US pressure on Israel and Prague warns Moscow is sabotaging European railways
The latest as Israel announces that it’s opening new routes for aid into Gaza following a warning from Joe Biden that it must protect civilians. Plus: the Czech Republic warns that Russia has made “thousands” of attempts…
Finland’s new security pact with Ukraine
As Nato celebrates its 75th anniversary, Finland and Ukraine have signed a long-term security agreement. Charly Salonius-Pasternak and Olga Tokariuk discuss the new pact and Nato’s support for Ukraine. Also in the programme…
Nato: Braindead no more?
A major earthquake strikes Taiwan. We discuss what this means for business as markets brace for a supply-chain aftershock. Plus: a look at the health of Nato as the alliance marks its 75th anniversary and the latest fashion…
Experts slash Germany’s economic-growth forecasts
Europe’s largest economy, Germany, is hit by new inflation figures. We examine what this means for the continent and the path of interest rates. Plus: The Hague hosts a conference on holding Russia to account for war crimes…
Special edition, no 3: Live from the Sustainable Cities in Action Forum at Expo City Dubai
The last in a series of special live editions recorded at the Sustainable Cities in Action Forum at Expo City Dubai. Tom Edwards hosts a discussion on “the living city”, featuring insights from director of ESG and innova…
Monday 1 April
A pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by Vincent McAviney. Plus: A flick through Latin American newspapers with Fernando Augusto Pacheco.
Friday 29th of March
A pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by Georgina Godwin. Plus: Art Basel gets underway in Hong Kong.
Kenyans question why their police are being sent to Haiti
With Haiti facing a huge political and security crisis, we look at why Kenya is still considering coming to the nation’s aid. Plus: why cocoa prices around the world are surging and what that means for Ghanaian farmers. We…
