We discuss the state of relations between the world’s two most powerful countries as US secretary of state Antony Blinken visits China. Plus: the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, the UN warns that the crisis in Haiti is “catastrophic” and Spanish-language music sweeps global charts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, and the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, visit Warsaw, we examine the role that Poland plays in the diplomatic field. Then: Donald Trump’s criminal trial; Taiwan wants to remove statues of Chinese dictator Chiang Kai-shek; and an exploration of the future of ticket resale with the managing director of Viagogo. Plus: aviation news and a lost Klimt painting is auctioned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Rogers of OpenDemocracy explains why global defence expenditure is at its highest level since records began. Elsewhere, Monocle’s Istanbul correspondent, Hannah Lucinda Smith, tells us about Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Iraq, the Maldives shifts its allegiance from India to China and we ask why the US is withdrawing troops from Niger. Plus: art and culture news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Middle East correspondent Leila Molana-Allen discusses the latest on tensions in the region. Also in the programme: Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze on the relationship between Washington and Kyiv following the US House of Representatives’ vote on military aid for Ukraine. Plus: a flip through the papers, Balkans news and an interview with Romanian artist Serban Savu.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel carries out airstrikes on Iran, with explosions heard in the city of Isfahan. How will Tehran respond? Meanwhile, the US votes on aid for Ukraine, which Kyiv says could make the difference between victory and defeat. Plus, a flick through the papers, music news and a report from Salone del Mobile. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss what the future of the EU might look like following a report by former Italian prime minister, Enrico Letta. Also in the programme: Oscar Guardiola-Rivera on the importance of Brazil president Lula’s visit to Bogotá and Fiona O’Brien from Reporters without Borders explains the threats to Iranian journalists globally. Plus: we ask why the UAE is so unprepared for flooding and speak to architect Matteo Corbellini at Salone del Mobile. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 The foreign ministers of the G7 nations touch down in Capri to discuss the crisis in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Then: Georgia’s controversial bill on ‘foreign influence’ and a look at the debate around South Africa’s National Health Insurance. Plus: newspapers, television news, 100 days to go before the Olympic Games and we speak with luxury home-appliance manufacturer Gaggenau.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss rising tensions in the Middle East amid fears of an Israeli military response to Iran’s weekend attacks. We also have the latest on Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial, Croatia’s parliamentary elections and Monocle’s team in Milan checks in from the first day of the 62nd edition of Salone del Mobile. Plus: a special interview with the former Commanding General of US Army Europe, Ben Hodges, on the laws of engagement in Ukraine, Gaza and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The latest on the conflict in the Middle East following Iran's reprisal attack on Israel. Then: after days of clashes, we discuss the unrest at the Thailand-Myanmar border. Plus: the implications of Senegal’s new presidency for regional dynamics and fashion news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Hayton discusses the sentence against Vietnamese billionaire and fraudster Truong My Lan. Also in the programme: Belarus president Aleksandr Lukashenko’s visit to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. Plus: we get the highlights from the Watches & Wonders trade fair in Geneva and the latest news in the world of transport. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the likelihood of a retaliation against Israel by Iran with Lizzie Porter and Bill Law. Also in the programme: we learn the outcome of South Korea’s parliamentary elections with Joon Ha and check in with Andrew Mueller at the Delphi Economic Forum. Plus” we hear why Pacific island leaders are granting whales and dolphins “legal person” status. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take the temperature of US-Japan relations as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits President Biden in Washington DC. Also on the programme: Ankara based journalist Victoria Craig on why Turkey is halting exports to Israel and Stephen Dalziel explains a new form of protest using saucepans by The Way Home group of military wives and mothers in Russia. Plus: the shortlist for this year’s International Booker Prize. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With seven months to go until the US election, we discuss how things are shaping up as the old foes try new tactics. Plus: Mexico’s diplomatic rift with Ecuador, Zimbabwe’s new currency and Thailand’s response to unrest in Myanmar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six months into the conflict in Gaza, an absence of a clear resolution to a conflict that is increasingly isolating Israel remains. Then: Russia makes moves to overrun Ukrainian defences before more Western aid arrives, we ask whether China will use artificial intelligence to disrupt elections in the US, South Korea and India, and we take a look inside Oneworld’s first dedicated lounge in Europe. Plus: a global and Swiss paper review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival and member of the war cabinet, Benny Gantz, calls for early elections, Myanmar’s opposition carries out a drone attack on junta-controlled Naypyidaw, Moscow declares that Russia and Nato are now in “direct confrontation” and we celebrate the life and legacy of Gaetano Pesce. Plus: Andrew Mueller takes a look at what we learned this week.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of Nato. We assess the alliance’s future at a worrying time for global security. Then we hear why the Philippines’ navy is preparing for the worst-case scenario in the South China Sea and discuss the future of UK and US arms sales to Israel. Plus: McKinsey experts on the future of the urban environment, and the life and legacy of Guadeloupe’s grand storyteller Maryse Condé, who has died at the age of 90. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmanuel Macron hosts Antony Blinken in Paris for talks on Ukraine and Gaza, and EU leaders head to Lithuania while Belarus conducts military drills near its border. Plus: we discuss Bassirou Diomaye Faye as he is sworn in as Senegal’s youngest president and explore the world of Heath Ceramics with studio director Tung Chiang. Also in the programme: the first politician generated by artificial intelligence.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Monocle’s Emma Nelson as she goes through the current affairs stories of the day, including Portugal’s new prime minister being sworn in and a review of the front pages with analyst Charles Hecker. Plus: aviation news with FlightGlobal’s Greg Waldron in Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters head to the polls in Turkey to vote in local and mayoral elections in what’s being seen as a test for President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan. Plus: the return of Isis, Australia’s diplomatic deficit and Austria’s vacancy tax. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China rolls out the red carpet for global chief executives at Beijing’s development forum. Plus: Narendra Modi’s government faces criticism following the arrest of another opposition leader, news from the world of film and France launches its first-ever cheese museum.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As farmers protest across Europe, we get the latest on a possible grain deal between Poland and Ukraine. Then: protesters take to the streets in Hungary over a corruption case and the latest threats to Slovakia’s public broadcaster. Plus: design news and why Italians talk with their hands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit to Brazil, Monocle’s US editor, Christopher Lord, reports from Oakland as Robert F Kennedy Jr announces his presidential running mate and we join Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, from The Chiefs conference in Hong Kong. Plus: Karl Lagerfeld’s last Paris residence sells for double the starting price.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss tensions between Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, and what they mean for Ukraine. Plus, plans for a significant upgrade to the security alliance between the US and Japan, Boeing’s management reshuffle and technology news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The crisis in Haiti continues to spiral as political parties edge closer to forming a security council. Will a new government halt the Caribbean nation’s nosedive? Plus: fugitive separatist Carles Puigdemont plans to run in Catalan elections, the latest trade and economy news and a special interview with ambassador Mark Green. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.