The Globalist – Episode Summary

Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Georgina Godwin (A)
Key Guests:

• Hugh Lovett (E) – European Council on Foreign Relations
• Greg Scruggs (C) – Monocle’s Seattle Correspondent
• Ruth Michelson (F) – Middle East correspondent, Istanbul
• Lars Bavanger (H) – Monocle Oslo Correspondent
• Fiona Wilson (B) – Monocle Tokyo Bureau Chief
• Hannah Katrin Fridgesson (D) – Icelandic Minister of Industries and Tourism
• Juliet Lindley (I) – Journalist, Zurich

Episode Overview

This episode offers a global current affairs round-up, with in-depth analysis of Morocco’s declaration of a new national holiday celebrating a UN breakthrough on the Western Sahara conflict, and a detailed look at who benefits, who feels betrayed, and the resources at stake. Other major stories include the Summit of the Americas postponement, Norway’s ethical contortions for its sovereign wealth fund, air travel chaos in the US, political developments in Japan, fast fashion protests in Paris, Iceland’s tourism push, and Switzerland’s campaign to make yodeling a UNESCO heritage.

Main Story: Morocco Celebrates Western Sahara “Unity Day”

Timestamps: [02:19] – [13:11]
Key Guest: Hugh Lovett, ECFR

Background

• Western Sahara is a disputed territory on Africa’s Atlantic coast, home to the Sahrawi people, and considered Africa’s last colony.
• Colonized by Spain, later occupied by Morocco after Spanish withdrawal in 1975.
• Resource-rich (phosphate, fisheries) and geopolitically significant.

UN Security Council Shift

• Recent UN Security Council resolution backs Morocco's “autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty” plan as the most feasible path forward, rather than a referendum on independence.
• Marked downgrade of prioritizing Sahrawi self-determination.

Important Quote:

“The Sahrawi people have the right to determine their own future so long as that future is under Moroccan sovereignty and governance.”
— Hugh Lovett [06:49]

Local Reactions

• Sahrawis not consulted; strong attachment remains to the idea of full independence ([06:58]).
• Many are in refugee camps in Algeria. True polling is impossible; a referendum was promised but never delivered.

Important Quote:

“Put very frankly, the autonomy plan...is not something that would be supported by the Sahari people themselves or the Polisario.”
— Hugh Lovett [07:37]

International Positioning

• Western countries favor Morocco as a strategic ally; support shifting from ambiguity to overt backing of Morocco’s plan.
• France and US already recognize Morocco’s sovereignty; UK may follow ([07:59]).

Risks on the Ground

• The UN’s Minurso mission, initially tasked with organizing a referendum and monitoring the ceasefire, is under threat.
• Resumption of direct conflict since 2022 between Morocco and the Polisario Front; the loss of MINURSO could escalate fighting and potentially draw in Algeria, risking regional conflict ([08:59]).

Prospects for Negotiation

• Polisario has softened its position recently, showing readiness for compromise between independence and Moroccan integration ([10:37]).
• Hugh Lovett stresses diplomacy must avoid a “zero sum, unilateral approach” ([09:55]).

Moroccan Celebration

• New “Unity Day” created—a symbolic diplomatic victory ahead of Morocco hosting the World Cup.
• Morocco touts autonomy internationally but shows “little interest in actually implementing its autonomy plan on the ground.”
  ([11:50]–[13:11])

Notable Moments:

• Recognition that autonomy is “much more of a political foil…for other goals” ([13:11]).

Summit of the Americas Postponed

Timestamps: [13:11] – [22:10]
Correspondent: Greg Scruggs

Summary

• The Summit was postponed, officially due to Hurricane Melissa but largely owing to US-led diplomatic friction over migration, terrorism, and which topics would be “allowed” (Washington tries to keep sustainable development, climate change, and gender equality off the agenda).
• US strikes off Venezuela have aggravated tensions.

Notable Quote:

“The White House was unlikely to get its way…on issues like illegal migration and terrorism. And it couldn't keep off of the agenda topics like sustainable development, climate change and gender equality...”
— Greg Scruggs [15:25]

• Several countries (Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia) split on US military activity and agenda ([18:41]).
• OAS (Organization of American States) status called “shaken, but…remain standing” ([20:06]).

Front Pages: Global Headlines

Timestamps: [23:28] – [30:25]
With: Ruth Michelson

Highlights

• Mexico: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responds defiantly after public groping incident ([23:28]).

  “No man has the right to abuse a woman’s personal space.” — Sheinbaum via Michelson [24:09]

• New York: Zoran Mamdani elected as city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, drawing global praise and serving as inspiration for Ugandans and others in repressive political climates ([25:40]).
• US: Airlines bracing for major disruptions as Trump administration slashes air traffic by 10% during the ongoing government shutdown ([27:05]).
• Ukraine: Angelina Jolie’s unexpected visit leads to her driver being conscripted when unable to produce documentation ([29:17]).

Shein Fast Fashion Protest in Paris

Timestamps: [32:09] – [34:14]
Reporter: Simon Bouvier

Highlights

• Shein, the Chinese fast fashion giant, opens in Paris amidst protests over its labour practices and the discovery of illegal sex dolls sold by third-party vendors.
• French authorities suspend its sales; government vows stricter oversight.

Important Quote:

“Sheehan and Biageve are about to find out whether that is true in France today or if their partnership will go down as one of the most ill advised business moves in recent memory.”
— Simon Bouvier [34:14]

Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: Ethics vs. Profits

Timestamps: [34:14] – [39:56]
Correspondent: Lars Bavanger

Key Points

• Norway’s fund votes against Elon Musk’s Tesla pay deal, using its influence to challenge outsized executive compensation ([35:28]).
• Oslo suspends its own ethics rules to avoid dumping major stakes in Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet after UN criticism of their involvement in Israeli military operations.
• Pressure mounts as defense investments (even those tied to nuclear programs) are reconsidered amid geopolitical tensions.

Notable Quotes:

“If they were to divest, it could threaten Norway’s welfare state... The fund contributes to about a quarter of Norway’s annual budget.”
— Lars Bavanger [38:13]

“It is a paradox, you could say…when politics and profits clash, profits still win.”
— Lars Bavanger [39:56]

Japan: Debate Over Foreign Residents and Bear Panic

Timestamps: [40:14] – [44:21]
Bureau Chief: Fiona Wilson

Foreign Workers

• Surge in foreign residents (approaching 4 million) and tourists stirs public debate.
• Government promises crackdowns on visa overstays and non-paying residents, yet acknowledges the need for foreign labour.

“...they want to set a ceiling on the number of foreigners who can live in Japan. Now, she didn’t go that far, but she has said she’s going to tighten the rules...”
— Fiona Wilson [40:53]

Bear Attacks

• Record bear attacks in northern Japan, SDF drafted to help with non-lethal trapping.
• Hikers and rural residents remain anxious; bear spray now essential outdoor gear.

Iceland at the World Travel Market

Timestamps: [45:43] – [53:05]
Guest: Hannah Katrin Fridgesson, Minister of Industries & Tourism

Topics

• Iceland divides its offerings into seven regions, highlighting varied nature and culture.
• Focus on sustainability, distributing tourism throughout the year and across areas to avoid strain on infrastructure.
• Northern Lights and “total darkness” are unique draws.
• Communities benefit as young people return for tourism jobs; challenge remains in spreading revenue and preserving fragile environments.

Memorable Quotes:

“There are people that just want to come somewhere where they can experience total darkness and we can definitely offer that—with some northern lights if you’re lucky.”
— Fridgesson [46:22]

“We just want to show our gratitude to our visitors and continue to develop this important industry with them.”
— Fridgesson [51:21]

Switzerland’s Yodeling: UNESCO Heritage Bid

Timestamps: [53:05] – [58:21]
Guest: Juliet Lindley

Key Insights

• Switzerland seeks UNESCO recognition for yodeling as “the fifth national language.”
• Juliet provides a technical definition: “repeated rapid changes in…pitch that can carry across peaks and valleys…switching between chest voice and falsetto” ([53:52]).
• Only about 12,000 active yodelers (“less than 1% of the Swiss population”), concentrated in German-speaking areas.
• Juliet questions if yodeling is a language (“There’s no syntax, there’s no grammar, there’s no vocabulary. It’s definitely a form of communication...”) ([56:07]).
• Playful banter as Georgina tries (and Juliet evades) live yodeling demonstration ([57:03]).

Other Headlines

(Throughout the episode and at [30:25]):

• US Supreme Court scrutinizes scope of President Trump's emergency tariff powers.
• Russia advances towards Pokhrovsk in Ukraine.
• US government shutdown curtails air capacity by 10%, adding to travel disruption.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The Sahrawi people have the right to determine their own future so long as that future is under Moroccan sovereignty…”—Hugh Lovett [06:49]
• “No man has the right to abuse a woman’s personal space.”—President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, via Ruth Michelson [24:09]
• “We do have to think about the beginning of the year. The OAS...arguably a creature of the US government.”—Greg Scruggs [20:06]
• “...the fund contributes to about a quarter of Norway’s annual budget.”—Lars Bavanger [38:13]
• “Knock, knock. Who’s there? Little old lady. Little old lady who? ...No, I’m not doing it, Georgina, I love you so much.”—Juliet Lindley on yodeling [57:11–57:25]

Episode Flow & Tone

The program maintains Monocle’s signature cosmopolitan, unsensational, and analytically rich tone. Guests are encouraged to offer first-hand insights and field research. Georgina Godwin’s presentation is inquisitive yet informal, fostering friendly banter—even as sensitive topics are covered. Throughout, the show balances deep dives (Western Sahara, Norway’s fund, Iceland’s tourism model) with brisk, topical news quizzes and lighthearted cultural features (Swiss yodeling).

This episode will be especially informative for listeners wanting a comprehensive, nuanced global affairs digest—grounded in on-the-ground expertise and peppered with moments of levity.