The Globalist (Monocle) — Death toll rises in Morocco as youth protests continue to rock the country

Episode Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Emma Nelson
Special Guests: Iman Zubay (visual artist, Fez, Morocco), Erin Clare Brown (North Africa Editor, New Lines Magazine), Rob Cameron (Prague-based journalist), Gloria Guevara (CEO, WTTC), David M. Andrews (Australian National University), Will Hodgkinson (Times Rock & Pop Critic), Latika Burke (writer at large, The Nightly)
Main Theme: Unrest in Morocco amid youth-led protests against government corruption, misallocated spending, and systemic failures in health and education, with broader discussions of global news including European right-wing politics, antisemitism, aviation security, travel industry trends, Pacific geopolitics, and music industry dynamics.

Overview

This episode spotlights Morocco’s intensifying youth protests, examining causes, on-the-ground realities, and broader societal implications. The conversation expands to cover populist political shifts in Europe, rising antisemitism in the West, travel industry recovery, new defense pacts in the Pacific, and evolving challenges in the music world.

Morocco: Youth Protests and Civil Unrest

Segment Start: [03:05]

What’s Happening in Morocco?

• Sixth night of protests: Thousands took to the streets.
• Casualties: At least three dead, hundreds injured, over a thousand arrested.
• Demographics: A staggering majority—up to 70% of protesters—are under 18.
• Core issues: Government corruption, wasteful spending, dire health and education systems, unemployment, and anger over national priorities.

Voices from Morocco

Iman Zubay (Visual artist, Fez)

• Fez: “very peaceful, very organized” protests ([03:13])
• Trauma from 1990s riots shapes protest caution, police violence is avoided
• University unions provided structure and discipline to the movement
• “We managed to make our voices heard without...police violence or confrontation.” – Iman ([03:13])

On Violence in Other Regions

• Reports of clashes: Police fired on protesters in Lykia, some cars set alight
• “Basically all the protests were meant to be peaceful...But some other people use this gathering...to start riots.” – Iman ([04:23])
• Certain unruly groups sought weapons, banks & shops attacked; Gen Z organizers disavow violent acts
• Cycle: Initial police violence triggered further unrest

Structural Grievances

Erin Clare Brown (North Africa Editor, New Lines Magazine)

• “The protesters aren’t wrong... 18% of GDP is being spent on hosting the World Cup.” ([06:57])
• Morocco’s heavy investment ($35 billion) into 2030 World Cup infrastructure breeds resentment—especially as it benefits only “a few wealthy areas.”
• Outside major cities, “the country...really is struggling—youth unemployment about 35%...spending on healthcare are just in the dumps.”
• “Triggered by a horrific incident...eight young women died...at a hospital in Agadir...given expired medication.” ([08:26])
• View that Morocco “spends on health care for the working people who keep the monarchy afloat” is virtually absent.

Protesters’ Perspective

• Young Moroccans, as per Iman, feel unrepresented by PM Aziz Ahinous and the government ([09:39]):
  • “We don't feel represented by this government anymore...selling the country...to privatization.”
  • Société is “more in debt to the World Bank” and offers “less protection for ordinary citizens.”
  • Aspirations have withered: “the horizon of our dreams are getting very narrowed. All people I know dream to go abroad.”
  • Earthquake recovery after the 2023 Al Haus quake is incomplete: “Thousands still in difficult conditions, yet stadiums and prestige projects are prioritized.” ([12:16])
  • “It's very outrageous to still see that these people still live in tents...”

European Politics: Czech Republic’s Populist Turn

Segment Start: [13:41]

Guest: Rob Cameron (Journalist, Prague)

Context & Commentary

• Andrej Babiš, billionaire and ex-PM, poised for political comeback
  • “Ironic...he is very much part of the system...part of the elite.” ([13:52])
  • Likely to win plurality, but “will need help from much more extreme parties if he wishes to govern.”
  • Choices: Coalitions with communists, far-right SPD (“anti-immigrant, anti-Ukraine”), or ‘Motorists’ (Eurosceptic, anti-Green)
  • Babiš “not an ideologue, but a pragmatist...far easier for Brussels to deal with than Orban.”

Notable News Briefs

Segment Start: [01:54], [22:04], [28:53]

Terror Attack in Manchester

• “Police late last night revealed the identity of the attacker...Jihad al Shami, British citizen of Syrian descent.” ([22:04])
• First successful attack on a synagogue in recent times.
• Reports of “coordinated antisemitism and also organic antisemitism, which we have certainly seen on the streets of Britain.” – Latika Burke ([25:49])

Drone Disruptions in European Airspace

• Munich Airport forced to close; 3,000 passengers affected ([27:04])
• “Looks...like a coordinated attempt to disrupt, test, or just see if countries know what to do.” ([27:24])
• Russia strongly suspected (“about 80% sure”).

World Travel & Tourism: A Sector Reborn

Segment Start: [30:37]

Guest: Gloria Guevara (CEO, WTTC)

Industry Resilience & Growth

• 2025: “$11.7 trillion...the third largest country in the world, which is important.” ([32:56])
• “One out of every ten jobs in the world...for every three new jobs, one is related to travel and tourism.” ([34:48])
• Europe remains the largest receiving region (51% of international travelers in prior year)
• New strategies discussed for underserved markets, AI, sustainability, workforce shortages.

The Asia-Pacific: Australia & Papua New Guinea’s Historic Defense Pact

Segment Start: [37:31]

Guest: David M. Andrews (Australian National University)

• Newly signed mutual defense treaty, first for Australia beyond New Zealand and US
• PNG will expand its forces; up to 10,000 can serve in Australian Defense Force
• “Broader geopolitical...circumstances,” notably China’s growing influence, key background context ([38:33])
• Wider implications for Pacific security architecture; other countries (e.g., Vanuatu, Fiji) seeking closer ties.

Music Industry Trends

Segment Start: [45:20]

Guests: Will Hodgkinson & Emma Nelson

Taylor Swift’s New Album

• Mixed reviews: “The Guardian gave it two stars...because [the reviewer] felt she was punching down.” ([45:42])
• Will Hodgkinson: “I disagree...a lot of the [songs] have been in my head since reviewing the album.”
• Industry sees harsh divides but healthy debate.

Coldplay & Music Economics

• Coldplay’s tour: 12 million tickets sold; highest attended ever ([48:56])
• Shift from gig culture to blockbuster events—concerts as ‘destination holidays.’
• Difficulties for rising artists: “You’re not really going to be able to make a living from touring until you’re playing to about 1,500 people a night.” ([50:36])
• Lola Young cancels tour due to burnout, highlighting pressures of modern promotional cycles and social media.

Memorable Quotes

• “We managed to make our voices heard without any avoiding any police violence or confrontation.” — Iman Zubay ([03:13])
• “Why are we spending 18% of GDP to host the World Cup...when people are dying from expired medication?” — Erin Clare Brown ([06:57])
• “All people I know dream to go abroad...the horizon of our dreams are getting very narrowed.” — Iman Zubay ([09:39])
• “It shows that we still do not know what to do when these drones come...whoever is sending these drones...is succeeding in huge disruption.” — Latika Burke ([27:24])
• “One out of every ten jobs in the world, that’s about 371 million jobs estimated for this year.” — Gloria Guevara ([34:48])
• “It’s extremely hard...the cost is astronomical these days...burnout is very real for younger artists.” — Will Hodgkinson ([50:36])

Noteworthy Timestamps

• [03:05] Morocco protests panel: Iman Zubay and Erin Clare Brown
• [13:41] Czech politics and populist trends: Rob Cameron
• [22:04] Manchester terror attack and antisemitism trends: Latika Burke
• [27:04] Munich airport and drone disruptions
• [30:37] Global tourism growth with WTTC’s Gloria Guevara
• [37:31] Pacific defense treaty: David M. Andrews
• [45:20] Music world—Taylor Swift & Coldplay: Will Hodgkinson
• [52:08] “What We Learned” satirical wrap-up: Andrew Muller

Satirical Wrap: “What We Learned This Week”

Andrew Muller ([52:08]) delivers a humorous monologue on cringe-worthy moments in defense and politics, closing the episode with sharp wit.

“We learned this week just how far the human toe, when prompted by second hand embarrassment, can curl...” — Andrew Muller ([52:08])

Summary

This episode offers a vibrant, diverse cross-section of pressing current events—from the passionate, youth-led struggle for justice and equity in Morocco to tectonic shifts in Western politics, security anxieties, economic sectors in renewal, and cultural tides in music. The tone is sharp, informed, and often laced with the dry wit Monocle is known for. Listeners get context, eyewitness testimony, authoritative analysis, and a dose of wry humor on the week’s biggest stories.