The Globalist – Episode Summary

Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Emma Nelson
Podcast: The Globalist by Monocle

Overview

This episode focuses on the mounting political crisis in France as Emmanuel Macron faces increasing isolation and calls to resign. The program also covers key global headlines, including US military leadership under Trump, Argentina’s economic saga under President Javier Milei, a Nobel Prize in Physics, and pertinent stories from the tech, business, and urban culture worlds. The main theme is France’s stumbling government, potential snap elections, and the unprecedented pressure on President Macron’s leadership.

FRANCE IN CRISIS: MACRON'S PRESIDENCY ON THE EDGE

Setting the Scene: Political Unrest in France

[03:27] Emma Nelson & Nina dos Santos

• Macron has not decided on his next move after the resignation of PM Sébastien Lecornu two days prior.
• Local officials are prepping for possible snap parliamentary elections (first round November 16, second round November 23), not affecting the presidency but shifting parliamentary control.
• Parliament is split across three blocs: Macron’s centrist movement, Marine Le Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN), and the left.
• Macron’s previous gambit—calling snap elections to counter the far right—backfired, strengthening both the far right and far left instead.

“He managed to encourage the rise of both the far left and the far right and essentially split the political setup in France in three ways.”

– Nina dos Santos [04:50]

Polls & Political Fallout

• Polls show RN could win 32%, leftists 25%, and Macron trailing at 15%.
• Former PMs Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, once Macron allies, now urge him to step down early and allow elections in 2026.

“Already two of his own former prime ministers have now turned against him.”

– Nina dos Santos [03:27]

The Budget and Pension Reform

• The controversial budget is unresolved; France hasn’t passed a budget in a year.
• Debt is at 113–114% of GDP, deficit at 5.4% (nearly double the EU limit).
• Ex-PM Élisabeth Borne suggests suspending pension reform as an olive branch, hoping to coax support from the left; however, this is unlikely to resolve the deadlock.

“No government has managed to properly, radically and fundamentally reform French pensions.”

– Emma Nelson [06:24]

Pressure for Macron to Resign

• Serious calls for Macron’s resignation come from the opposition and former allies; Jean-Luc Mélenchon (far left) tables a motion akin to impeachment, backed by over 100 MPs.
• Macron insists he will serve until 2027, though political pressure and potential for impeachment loom.
• Public dissatisfaction is extraordinarily high; a recent poll found 86% of French people are “utterly appalled” by the crisis.

“The people are becoming increasingly disaffected with the French political class.”

– Nina dos Santos [10:00]

Economic and International Implications

• The crisis costs the French economy an estimated 0.5% of GDP.
• International confidence is at stake; France is the eurozone’s second largest economy.
• Christine Lagarde (head of the ECB, once a rumored presidential candidate) publicly rules out ever running:

  “Guys, rule me out. The job is utterly toxic. I do not want it.”
  – Nina dos Santos relaying Christine Lagarde’s statement [09:42]

US MILITARY LEADERSHIP UNDER TRUMP

General Ben Hodges on the New Reality for US Generals

[13:41] Chris Chermack interviews Gen. Ben Hodges

• Unprecedented “all generals called to Washington” order from President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—never before seen.
• Generals stressed the importance of allegiance to the Constitution, not to individuals.
• Hegseth's emphasis on “warrior mentality” and physical fitness is viewed by Hodges as misguided, particularly the implicit attempt to "weed out" women from military leadership.

“The underlying tone was pure misogyny… male standards… That’s not a wise policy.”

– Gen. Ben Hodges [17:07]

Concerns About “Warrior Mentality” & Rules of Engagement

• Hodges criticizes proposed elimination of established rules of engagement and the rhetoric tying military discipline to outdated standards and aggressive warfare.
• Warns against policy drift toward the Russian model: undisciplined, cruel, and lacking legal constraints.

“He described exactly what the Russian army is. They can do a bunch of push-ups. They have no rules of engagement. That’s not who we want to be.”

– Gen. Ben Hodges [20:28]

Transatlantic Military Cohesion

• US allies in Europe remain committed, yet policy divergence at the top alarms partners; European countries sense growing distance from Washington.

PAPER REVIEW: KEY INTERNATIONAL STORIES

Canada–US Relations: The Carney–Trump Meeting

[23:44] Phil Clark, Professor of International Politics

• Canadian PM Mark Carney faces tough negotiations with Trump over trade, tariffs (notably a 35% US tariff on Canadian goods, justified by fentanyl trafficking claims).
• Carney walks a tightrope to protect Canadian interests while maintaining respectful US relations.

“Carney has to defend the sovereignty of Canada…while trying to extract a deal from a very tricky US President.”
– Phil Clark [24:27]

Madagascar Youth Protests

• President Rajaonarimampianina responds to youth-led protests with a promise of national dialogue, amid threats of a general strike.
• Protest concerns are deeply localized: unemployment, infrastructure, and utility cuts—not simply a “global Gen Z protest trend.”

Human Interest: Nobel Prize Winner “Off-Grid”

• Fred Ramsdell, new Nobel laureate in medicine, learned of his win only after a hiking “digital detox” — discovered by his wife upon turning her phone back on.

NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS: SUPERCONDUCTIVITY & QUANTUM TECH

[33:42] Guest: Alex Wilkins, New Scientist

• Awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, John Martinis for foundational experiments in superconductivity that revealed quantum effects at a macroscopic scale.
• Their work underpins advances in quantum computing and daily tech (chips, phones).

“Without their work…you just wouldn’t have the quantum technologies that we use every day today.”
– Alex Wilkins [35:58]

LATIN AMERICA: ARGENTINA'S ROCK STAR PRESIDENT UNDER FIRE

[39:46] Interview with Antonio Sampaio, Latin America Expert

• President Javier Milei faces plummeting popularity despite curbing runaway inflation—his austerity measures have led to rising unemployment and social pain.
• Corruption scandals (including family members and close allies) further damage his reputation as a “different kind of leader.”
• High-profile concerts and a new book attempt to revive his outsider image before pivotal midterm elections.

“He is going to this election severely weakened by corruption scandals and economic woes.”
– Antonio Sampaio [44:44]

TECH NEWS ROUNDUP

[45:45] Isabel Hamilton, Politico

• OpenAI–AMD Deal:
  OpenAI to take up to a 10% stake in AMD contingent on multi-billion dollar chip purchases—reflecting enormous investment needed for AI development and US tech stock market dependencies.
• Discord Data Breach:
  ID verification data—including passport and driver’s license images for age-gating—was leaked via a third-party provider.
• Jaguar Land Rover Cyberattack:
  A cyberattack stopped global production for over a month, impacting suppliers and workers, highlighting the vulnerability of outsourced IT and cybersecurity.

URBAN CULTURE: TOKYO'S BLACK MARKET LEGACY

[53:54] Ryuma Takahashi reporting from Tokyo

• Exhibition explores how postwar black markets around train stations shaped Tokyo’s urban character—vivid, unplanned, diverse districts trace their origins to these informal economies.
• Modern urban planning can learn from this legacy: integrating “chaotic,” small-scale entrepreneurship fosters richer, more resilient urban communities.

Memorable Quotes

“He managed to encourage the rise of both the far left and the far right and essentially split the political setup in France in three ways.”
– Nina dos Santos [04:50]

“Guys, rule me out. The job is utterly toxic. I do not want it.”
– Christine Lagarde via Nina dos Santos [09:42]

“The underlying tone was pure misogyny… male standards… That’s not a wise policy.”
– Gen. Ben Hodges [17:07]

“He described exactly what the Russian army is. They can do a bunch of push-ups. They have no rules of engagement. That’s not who we want to be.”
– Gen. Ben Hodges [20:28]

“Without their work…you just wouldn’t have the quantum technologies that we use every day today.”
– Alex Wilkins [35:58]

Notable Timestamps

• France’s Political Crisis – [03:27]–[12:52]
• US Military and Trump – [13:41]–[21:31]
• Paper Review (Canada–US, Madagascar, Nobel Prize) – [22:32]–[29:46]
• Nobel Physics Discussion – [33:42]–[38:36]
• Argentina/Milei Segment – [39:38]–[45:08]
• Tech News – [45:19]–[53:10]
• Tokyo’s Urban Black Markets – [53:54]–[58:40]

Tone & Style

The episode combines brisk, well-informed conversation with a distinctly global, analytical tone. Panelists and correspondents offer expertise, measured skepticism, and humor—especially in newspaper and science segments. The show moves quickly between headlines, deep dives, and light human-touch moments, presenting a comprehensive but lively overview of world affairs.