The Monocle Daily

Why the world increasingly considers the US a threat. Plus: Politics versus sport at the Olympics

EU leaders meet in Belgium to unpack the future of the bloc. Then: Iran and the US plan to continue nuclear talks but is diplomacy working? Plus: The Ukrainian Winter Olympian banned for wearing a remembrance helmet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Ukraine hold elections?

Daniella Peled and Ben Kelly assess whether Ukraine should hold elections, what to expect from a Trump-Netanyahu meeting, the latest from Tumbler Ridge and whether Olympic athletes should go public with their private lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British prime minister Keir Starmer hangs on – but for how long?

Phil Tinline and Marion Messmer discuss Keir Starmer’s staying power and impressions of the UK prime minister abroad: Plus: Will nuclear testing resume? And why spies and foreign interference warnings are growing in Europe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s in a number? Volodymyr Zelensky warns of $12trn deal between US-Russia

Panellists Patti Cohen and John Everard assess the Ukrainian president’s claim that a US-Russia economic deal is in the works. Plus: a tale of Asian contrasts between Japan’s elections and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai’s sentencing in Hong Kong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US wants a critical-minerals club to counter China: who’s in?

We discuss the political risks facing allies as an increasingly isolationist America invites them to work together to challenge Chinese dominance in the critical-mineral supply-chain market. Plus: as the Winter Olympics kick off, Lily Austin and Chris Cermak recommend the best winter-sports films.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.