The Globalist

We discuss the situation in Aleppo, the re-emergence of populism in the West, how music can fight against censorship, and the luxuries and private lives of world leaders. Plus: today’s business news, an interview with Hong Kong interior designer André Fu and a review of the day’s newspapers.

We discuss the legacy of Fidel Castro, France’s presidential race, the state of German politics and business in Italy. Plus: a review of the newspapers and Hong Kong’s Business of Design Week event.

With anti-European sentiment on the rise, are the continent’s political leaders doing enough to win hearts and minds? We also examine the seizure of military vehicles in Hong Kong and wonder what a politician's favourite book reveals about them.

What defines political terrorism? We also discuss Estonia's new government, which has been elected on a centre-left, pro-Nato mandate. Plus: Monocle's Bill Leuty meets the outdoor swimmers in Zürich who refuse to be beaten by the wintry weather.

Does Donald Trump need to reappraise his relationship with the press? We also discuss Switzerland's new fighter-jet strategy and Disneyland's investment in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

We ask whether Turkey is preparing to forge an alliance with China and Russia and, as Donald Trump confirms that he will abandon the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, we get the reaction from Asia. Plus: what place does politics have in theatre?

General Sir Richard Shirreff, Nato’s former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, speaks to us about the future of the alliance. Who will France’s Republican party choose to face Marine Le Pen in next year’s presidential election? And we discuss a significant Airbus contract in Japan.

As the future of Nato remains uncertain, the German government wants to spend more on defence and its military recruitment is up. Plus: we examine the business of fake news and the role it played in the US election and meet one of the newly appointed directors of the department for International Trade to discuss how the major economic trends can be predicted.

We ask if France has embraced the US-style primaries system and discuss whether Russia’s snub of the International Criminal Court will start a chain reaction among fellow states. Plus: business in the Balkans and a new Transparency International survey on corruption.

We ask what is left for Barack Obama to achieve on his European tour and discuss why Moldova and Bulgaria are shifting towards Russia. Plus: how Finland managed to get its sauna emojis to mobile phones around the world.

We discuss Barack Obama’s final foreign trip as president, analyse the future of EU-Turkish relations and, as part of our continuing series on photojournalism, we meet the administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes.

We discuss the deep divide in the US following Donald Trump's election win and look at his potential allies around the world. Plus, we analyse political intrigue in Serbia and Montenegro, talk business in Italy, review the morning newspapers, and meet photojournalist David Hume Kennerly.

We assemble our very own brains trust to discuss what Donald Trump's presidency might look like. We also bring you the latest business news from London and pose a troublesome question: has 2016 been the worst year in history?

As the conflict in Syria shows no sign of letting up, it begs the question: do sanctions work? Plus: Spain edges closer to finally forming a government, Japanese fighter jets scramble to chase Chinese planes and we look at Canada's most iconic soft-power symbol: the maple leaf.

As the Mosul operation gets underway, we ask whether it’s premature to announce plans for Raqa. Meanwhile, we outline the diplomatic tussle over Russia’s ships refuelling in Spain. Plus: Rick Mercer, Canada’s most famous TV satirist.