The Globalist – February 19, 2026

Host: Emma Nelson (Monocle Radio)
Theme: A sweep across the global diplomatic and political landscape, with a focus on stalled talks in Geneva (Ukraine–Russia, US–Iran), European and US involvement, political upheaval in Peru, democracy under threat in Georgia, Nordic support for Greenland, technology and AI privacy debates, and a cultural close-up from Milan and the world of film.

Episode Overview

This episode of The Globalist explores diplomacy in crisis areas—namely, tense talks in Geneva between Ukraine and Russia, American diplomatic engagement in Europe and Iran, and the erosion of democracy in Georgia. Added are insights from Peru’s ceaseless political turmoil, Greenland's search for secure belonging amid US interest, pressing stories in French politics, Indonesian economic relations, and a personal view into Oscar-nominated filmmaking. The tone moves between sober analysis, global urgency, and moments of wit—anchored by Emma Nelson’s incisive questioning.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Ukraine–Russia Talks in Geneva: Progress or Stalemate?

[03:03–11:33]
Guest: Paul Waldy, Europe Correspondent, Globe and Mail

• Talk Structure: Two short sessions in Geneva, first six hours, second just two—little progress made.
• Sticking Points:
  • Territory: Ukraine refuses to cede more of Donbas; Russia, driven by Putin, demands total capture.
    "Putin just wants the Ukrainians to give up the rest of [Donbas], which of course is a non starter for many Ukrainians." — Paul Waldy [04:11]
  • Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant: Controlled by Russia, Ukraine wants it back; no compromise in sight.
• US Role: America remains central but increasingly questioned; brokers talks yet uses inexperienced envoys (Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner).
  "There’s real doubts about how effective that can be...even with enormous experience, it’d be hard. Let alone two relative novices." — Paul Waldy [05:10]
• Trump’s Approach: Seen as wanting peace “at any cost,” potentially sacrificing Ukrainian interests for a quick deal.
  "Trump just wants to get a deal at any cost that doesn’t really care about the final outcome." — Paul Waldy [06:20]
• European Exclusion: Trump has sidelined Europe; EU is frustrated, especially as much of the fighting and funding passes through them.
• Destabilization: Reference to Russian distractions (Navalny’s death, “frog poison”)—strategies to muddy narratives and destabilize Europe’s position.
• Outlook: Direct leader-level talks are unlikely, and Europe’s role will remain mostly behind the scenes.

Quote:
“Europe often feels excluded from this whole process. Trump, by design, has pretty much excluded the Europeans…”
— Paul Waldy [08:09]

2. US–Iran Geneva Talks: Simultaneous High Stakes

[10:04–11:33]

• Parallel Talks: US negotiators handle both Ukraine–Russia and Iran in Geneva simultaneously.
• Iranian Diplomacy: Seemingly positive progress (‘agreed on a guiding principle’), yet simultaneous US military buildup and threats of strikes muddy optimism.
• Trump’s Endgame: No clarity—muses about regime change but uncertain objectives for military action.

3. Peru’s Presidential Crisis — Another Resignation

[11:33–20:16]
Guest: Patricia Oliart, Latin American Studies, Newcastle University

• Ongoing Instability: Jose Jerry, the latest interim president, ousted after failing to disclose business ties (notably with Chinese businessmen) and allegations of corruption, lobbying, and more.
• Pattern: Successive presidents serve private interests; politics characterized by coalitions with no ideology—“petty interests” dominate legislature.
• Social Impact: Everyday violence and organized crime worsen; small businesses face rampant extortion and threats.
• Future Outlook: “Chaotic democracy”—likely to reach elections amid extreme distrust and instability, with 35 parties in play.

Quote:
"Basically, the country is in the hands of all these petty interests. But apparently it is in their interest to get to the elections...in the midst of a lot of chaos and also distrust from the population.”
— Patricia Oliart [17:20]

4. Georgia’s Slide Away from Democracy

[32:17–38:02]
Interviewee: Salomé Zurabishvili, claiming to be Georgia’s legitimate president

• New Legislation: Georgia Dream party moves to criminalize “perceptions” of illegitimacy and expand repressive laws.
• Repression: Arrests of peaceful protesters, journalists; laws mimic Russia’s authoritarian model.
• Chilling Effect: Designed to disseminate fear, create a legal instrument to target dissenters at will.
  “It can be used anytime, a la carte, against anyone they want to.” — Zurabishvili [32:17]
• Civil Society: Resilience exists—diplomats resigning, journalists, students—needs stronger EU support (think tanks, support abroad).
• International Abandonment: Georgia “off the map” for US and EU, fears being ceded to Russia’s sphere of influence without competition.
• Hybrid Russian Tactics:
  “Russia is never going to be satisfied completely, but it has found a new strategy...how to take control of a state without the very difficult military invasion that it's going through in Ukraine.” — Zurabishvili [20:25/37:50]

5. Greenland & the Nordic Councils: Securing Autonomy

[38:38–42:38]
Guest: Petri Butzoff, Monocle’s Helsinki correspondent

• Background: Nordic Council (since 1962) to welcome Greenland, Faroe Islands, Åland Isles as full ‘independent’ member-parties.
• Significance: Largely symbolic but strengthens political connection amidst US pressure (Trump’s attempted acquisition).
• Greenland’s Perspective: Sees new status as vital for recognition and regional belonging.
• Practical Impact: No new security guarantees, but clear alignment away from US annexation and toward the Nordic community.

6. French Politics in Turmoil, AI Privacy Concerns, and Alpine Weather

[21:29–29:47]
Guest: Alexandre Kouchner, Political Analyst

• French Politics:
  • Escalating violence—left/far-left party targeted, bomb threats, political murder (Quentin Duran).
  • Calls for political responsibility as culture wars intensify before local and presidential elections.
• Christine Lagarde Rumors: Possibility of ECB president stepping down early to let Macron appoint successor—signals uncertainty at Europe’s financial heart.
• Tech & Privacy:
  • Meta (Facebook) to introduce facial recognition smart glasses; raises civil liberty/privacy concerns.
  • Internal strategy revealed: roll out during US political tumult to avoid scrutiny.
  • “Hey, what could go wrong?” — Kouchner [27:51]
• Snow Update: Record snowfall and avalanche risks in the French Alps, underscoring climate extremes and mountain dangers.

7. Indonesia–US Relations and Chinese Infrastructure

[43:05–46:42]
Guest: Randy Mulianto, Red Voice Indonesia

• Strengthening Ties: PM Prabo Subianto in DC; major business deals ($38.4B in MOUs), new trade agreements upcoming, focus on critical minerals, tech, and agriculture.
• Global Context: Indonesia positions itself between US and China; invests in Chinese-built high-speed rail between Jakarta and Bandung (not without controversy—cost overruns, social impact).

8. Oscar–Nominated Cinematographer Adolfo Veloso

[47:29–54:11]
Interviewer: Fernando Augusto Pacheco

• Behind the Scenes of 'Train Dreams':
  • Veloso, a Brazilian, recounts his connection with director Clint Bentley and the struggle-inspiring camaraderie from their first small-budget film.
  • Natural Light:
    • Chose to shoot almost entirely with natural light in the Pacific Northwest; strove for naturalism and flexibility on set.
    • “There's nothing I feel that beats natural light and its beauty… there’s so many aspects of his life that are similar to a filmmaker’s life...all those aspects of the way we wanted to shoot the movie really married well with natural light.” — Veloso [51:44, 53:51]
  • Personal Reflection: The filmmaker’s nomadic lifestyle mirrored in the film’s principal character.

9. Cultural Dispatch: Winter Olympics in Milan

[54:49–58:30]
Guests: Andrew Muller, Tom Webb

• Olympic Life: Live dispatch from cloudy, rain-battered Milan on the 47th floor of the Allianz Tower, covering the Winter Olympics.
• Sports & City: Eulogizing San Siro stadium, culinary highlights (Milanese risotto), the city’s design and sporting credentials.
• Tone: Warm, witty, irreverent conclusion to a global affairs-heavy show.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Diplomacy in Geneva:
  “There are just a lot of issues surrounding whether just how seriously Trump is taking these negotiations and just how effective the US can be in both cases.” — Paul Waldy [05:10]

• On Europe’s Frustrations:
  “You don’t see any European officials really taking a leading role in these negotiations in Geneva… that’s a problem.” — Paul Waldy [08:09]

• On Peruvian Instability:
  “Basically the country is in the hands of all these petty interests. But apparently it is in their interest to get to the elections in the midst of a lot of chaos and also distrust from the population.” — Patricia Oliart [17:20]

• On Georgia’s Authoritarian Slide:
  "Russia is never going to be satisfied completely, but it has found a new strategy... a hybrid strategy, of how to take control of a state without the very difficult military invasion that it's going through in Ukraine." — Salomé Zurabishvili [20:25/37:50]

• On French Political Violence:
  "Political violence at this scale is normally very much muted... this could have a serious impact on the ability of parties... to ever forge an alliance for the 2027 presidential elections.” — Alexandre Kouchner [23:20]

• On Meta Smart Glasses:
  “Hey, what could go wrong?” — Alexandre Kouchner [28:30]

• On Cinematography and Life:
  “So many aspects of his life that are similar to a filmmaker’s life and especially a cinematographer’s...Common themes in the movie, which are like grief and immigration, are things I could connect with.” — Adolfo Veloso [50:55]

• On the Olympics and Milan:
  “It is one of the joys of Italy, which does have the knack of making you somewhat furious with London—that pretty much any place you walk into at random will serve you the best thing you've ever eaten in your life.” — Andrew Muller [58:02]

Timestamps Reference

• Ukraine–Russia Geneva Talks: [03:03–11:33]
• US–Iran in Geneva: [10:04–11:33]
• Peru’s Political Crisis: [11:33–20:16]
• Georgia’s Slide from Democracy (Zurabishvili): [32:17–38:02]
• Greenland’s Nordic Support: [38:38–42:38]
• French Politics / Tech: [21:29–29:47]
• Indonesia–US/China Relations: [43:05–46:42]
• Train Dreams Cinematographer: [47:29–54:11]
• Winter Olympics Live from Milan: [54:49–58:30]

Conclusion

Today’s Globalist follows a world in flux—trapped between diplomatic impasses, the erosion of old alliances, democracy under threat, political violence, and the ceaseless churn of politics from Lima to Tbilisi. Insight, skepticism, and an eye for detail shine from Monocle’s journalists and their guests. From the snowy Alps to the Milanese sky lounge, and illuminated by both cinema’s natural light and the bright glare of Meta’s smart glasses, listeners are left with a sense of a world full of crosswinds, but also of communities, cultures, and individuals adapting and persisting.