The Globalist – Detailed Episode Summary

Episode Title: How will the Bondi beach attack affect the security landscape?
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Emma Nelson
Podcast: The Globalist (Monocle Radio)

Overview

This episode begins with a somber focus on the devastating attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, where 15 people were killed. The discussion dissects the attack’s implications for Australian and global security, exploring the challenges of counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and the evolving threat landscape. The program also covers other headline global developments: the status of Ukraine-Russia peace talks, the new U.S. national security strategy, the stalling EU-MERCOSUR trade deal, and lighter segments from the Tokyo Art Book Fair to cutting-edge tech Christmas gifts.

Key Segment: Bondi Beach Attack and Security Implications

Main Discussion Points

Participants:

• Emma Nelson: Host (London)
• Ghorana Gurgi: Monocle Security Correspondent (Zurich)
• Levi West: National Security Expert, Australian National University (Canberra)

New Revelations and International Links ([03:49])

• The two attackers, a father and son, spent about a month in the southern Philippines, a known hotspot for terrorist activity.
• Two homemade Islamic State flags were found in their vehicle ([03:49] Levi West).
• The younger attacker had previously been on the periphery of investigations into IS-linked activities in Australia.

Quote:
"It’s firmed up a pretty comprehensive picture now that the overarching ideological motivation for the attack was Islamic State inspired or Islamic State affiliated."
— Levi West ([04:29])

Intelligence Sharing and International Response ([04:50])

• The attack exposes gaps in intelligence and information sharing across borders.
• Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong discussed this with her Filipino counterpart.
• The importance of transnational intelligence cooperation was underlined.

Quote:
"If someone is on an intelligence watchlist or known to law enforcement authorities... to better share information if these people are moving and going to places where we know these types of cells exist."
— Ghorana Gurgi ([04:50])

Failure and Deprioritization in Counterterrorism ([08:36])

• Australian security services historically have strong community ties, but the episode highlights the risks of deprioritizing counterterrorism amid a global focus on strategic competition rather than extremism.
• Staffing, funding, and training for counterterrorism have been neglected since the fall of IS’s caliphate.
• Political, not operational leaders, set these national security priorities; agencies act within government-imposed constraints.

Quote:
"Government departments don’t set their own budgets. Government departments don’t set national security priorities... Unfortunately, one of the things that inevitably flows from deprioritizing one particular aspect of your national security apparatus is that it’s not what it otherwise would be."
— Levi West ([09:52])

Broader Threat Assessment and Extremist Networks ([10:59])

• The current frameworks have shifted from terror to focusing on power rivalries and state competition, but extremism persists and adapts.
• Western democracies still grapple with counter-radicalization and fostering community resilience.
• Not every threat is state-sponsored; networks of self-radicalized individuals remain a substantial challenge.

Quote:
"This... looks more akin to this sort of networks of extremists that operate in ways that at the moment don’t appear state-sponsored..."
— Ghorana Gurgi ([12:00])

Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks: Progress or Illusion?

Guests:

• Stephen DL (London): Russia analyst, Monocle regular
• Stephen Erlanger (Berlin): Chief Diplomatic Correspondent, New York Times

State of Talks ([14:19–22:55])

• Positive rhetoric from Berlin, Washington, and Kyiv about security guarantees for Ukraine.
• Guarantees under discussion are modeled after Article 5 of NATO, but skepticism abounds regarding their credibility.
• Ukraine remains wary of Russian intransigence; historic security guarantees (Budapest Memorandum) proved unreliable.

Notable Moment:
"I think the danger is that anything that is couched in these terms of security guarantees... is really no stronger than the Budapest memorandum was, and Ukraine knows that..."
— Stephen DL ([17:25])

Russian Position & The Long Road Ahead ([18:38])

• Russia shows no flexibility. U.S. and European leaders are mostly negotiating with each other, not directly influencing Moscow.
• Suggested compromises heavily favor Russian demands (e.g., demilitarized Donbass, no reciprocal withdrawals).

Quote:
"Every public statement from Russia... indicates Russia is standing by its demands, which are not only all the Donbass, but severe restrictions on security assurances."
— Stephen Erlanger ([19:45])

U.S. National Security Strategy: Ideological Shifts

Guest:

• Orna Blum: Former U.S. State Department Senior Foreign Service Officer

America’s “Civilizational Battle” & Far-Right Engagement ([34:15–41:06])

• The Trump administration’s new national security strategy marks a break from established U.S. internationalist principles, focusing on America First and culture-war rhetoric.
• Key statement: "The days of the United States propping up the entire world order are over." — Donald Trump ([34:15] Orna Blum)
• The administration is deepening ties with European far-right parties (e.g., AfD Germany), emphasizing “fighting censorship” and reframing free speech.

Quote:
"These are coded words under this administration for combating what has been under previous administrations’ efforts to combat malign disinformation."
— Orna Blum ([37:15])

• The strategy signals the U.S. will gravitate toward European partners aligned with its ideological stance, not a full break from Europe.

Quote:
"This is not a breakup with Europe... The Trump administration is signaling with whom they wish to partner."
— Orna Blum ([39:37])

EU-MERCOSUR Trade Deal: Doubt and Delay

Guest:

• Suzanne Lynch: Bloomberg’s Brussels Bureau Chief

Stumbling Blocks & Political Calculations ([41:39–46:19])

• France and Italy seeking to delay or potentially block the agreement over agricultural concerns and fears of cheaper imports undermining EU standards.
• EU trade credibility at stake, as delays suggest indecision and internal division at a critical juncture for global trade diversification.

Quote:
"The optics of this at a time when they're trying to seal trade deals with other trading partners is just not good."
— Suzanne Lynch ([45:58])

Around the World – Monocle Desk Reports

Tokyo Art Book Fair ([47:07–51:39])

• Notable Quotes:
  "This is the first art book fair in Tokyo. We are the biggest art book fair in Asia."
  — Kanako Tsunoda, Project Manager ([47:29])
  "I really like the sense of publicness but also the feelings of the owner of the Keijiban."
  — Olivier Mignon, artist ([48:56])
  "The reason why I love art books: it is a format for everyone..."
  — Kanako Tsunoda ([49:39])
• Art books as an accessible path to art; increasing interaction between physical and digital worlds.

Canadian “Snow War” Avalanche Control ([31:37–33:21])

• Canadians deploy Army artillery (Operation Palaci) for avalanche control—North America’s longest-running hostile operation, winter’s “Snow War.”

Technology & Lifestyle

Gadget Gift Guide (Light-Hearted Segment, [52:10–59:03])

• Fujifilm XT33 camera: Compact, powerful, enthusiast/pro-grade performance.
• Dyson x Porter headphones: Premium audio, customizable, fashion-forward collaboration.
• Bertschat Heated Bicycle Gloves Pro: Top-of-the-line, palm-and-finger heating for winter rides.
• Notable Quote:
  "I was looking at these headphones, thinking that actually could make a person better looking simply by wearing them."
  — Emma Nelson ([55:45])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On security failings and reprioritization:
  "There are some very uncomfortable questions that are going to fall out of all of this."
  — Levi West ([07:50])

• On EU trade:
  "[Delaying Mercosur]…is a last minute push for them to try and get one to try and get some other countries around to their way of thinking."
  — Suzanne Lynch ([43:08])

• On art book culture:
  "So many young people are really interested in the physical materiality of images. In balance to the internet, there’s such an overflow of imagery to be found online, and I think people just really like to hold something in their hands."
  — Ruth Van Beek, artist ([50:31])

Timestamps – Key Segments

• Bondi Beach attack analysis: [03:33]–[13:23]
• Ukraine-Russia peace talks: [14:19]–[22:55]
• Canada’s 'Snow War' avalanche control: [31:37]–[33:21]
• US national security/Europe rising far right: [34:15]–[41:06]
• EU-MERCOSUR deal debate: [41:39]–[46:19]
• Tokyo Art Book Fair: [47:07]–[51:39]
• Technology holiday gifts: [52:10]–[59:03]

Tone & Style

The discussion throughout is sober, insightful, and analytical, especially in the treatment of the Bondi Beach attack. Experts are forthcoming about the uncomfortable realities of intelligence and political decision-making, while other segments blend journalistic curiosity with a light, cosmopolitan touch (as in the art and tech coverage).

Summary

This edition of The Globalist blends deep analysis with global breadth: from the urgent reevaluation of counterterrorism in the wake of the Bondi attack, through the labyrinth of Ukraine-Russia peace posturing, to ideological shifts in U.S. strategy and EU trade policy jitters. Engaging desk reports and lifestyle features round out a broadcast rich with timely information and thoughtful commentary.