The Globalist: "Netanyahu in Washington as Iran calls his visit ‘destructive’ to diplomacy"

Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Georgina Godwin (Monocle Radio)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers Monocle’s expert analysis on big stories shaping global politics. Main topics covered:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's expediated trip to Washington amid tense US-Iran diplomacy, and Iranian criticism of the visit.
• A radical EU plan to grant Ukraine early accession ahead of full membership.
• Insights into Greece-Turkey talks, Vatican news, and dispatches from the Milan Winter Olympics.

Netanyahu in Washington: Israeli Concerns About US-Iran Diplomacy

Background & Context

• Netanyahu advanced his planned Washington visit, meeting with President Trump at a sensitive moment of renewed US-Iran diplomatic engagement.
• Iran publicly condemns Netanyahu's presence, labeling it "destructive" to diplomacy.

Key Discussion Points

Motivations for the Visit (03:56)

• Greg Carlstrom (Middle East Correspondent):
  • Primary driver: Israel’s anxiety about Trump pursuing a "nuclear-only" deal with Iran—a deal that omits controls on Iran’s missile program and regional proxy support.
  • Secondary motive: Avoidance. Netanyahu seeks to visit before Trump convenes the Board of Peace on Gaza, sidestepping difficult discussions on Gaza’s postwar future and reconstruction that could upset his domestic coalition.

Israel's Red Lines and Desired Outcomes (05:02)

• Israel opposes any deal seen as too limited or providing sanctions relief to Iran.

• Absolute preference for a "comprehensive" agreement that addresses missiles, proxies, and the nuclear program—a scenario seen as unrealistic.

  “For the Israelis, the last thing they think America should do is throw the regime a lifeline by giving it an agreement and sanctions relief.”
  — Greg Carlstrom [06:05]

US-Israeli Differences (06:15)

• US positions appear inconsistent, fluctuating between calls for a comprehensive deal and openness to nuclear-only arrangements.
• As Greg points out: "It seemed like every week the American position shifted. Did they want zero enrichment for Iran's nuclear program? Were they willing to tolerate some enrichment? Literally one week to the next." [06:44]

Iran’s Stance & Reactions (07:09)

• Iran’s negotiating position remains unchanged for a decade: open to nuclear talks, not to curbs on missiles or proxies.

• Despite military and economic weakness, Iran remains inflexible.

  “Despite this very weak position... it is just not willing, it continues to refuse to negotiate the kind of broader agreement that might unlock American support.” — Greg Carlstrom [07:55]

Potential Impact of Netanyahu’s Visit (08:15)

• His presence is unlikely to help—possibly fueling Iranian suspicions of US duplicity, especially after last year’s abrupt shift to airstrikes.
• The underlying gap between Iranian and American objectives is deemed almost unbridgeable for now.

Netanyahu’s Influence on Trump (09:22)

• Net direct leverage is questionable.
• Trump is known to be swayed by the last persuasive voice he hears:

  “If the Israelis come and sit around a table with him... What we’ve seen in the past is that Trump tends to listen to these things, and there's not really anyone pushing back on the other side.”
  — Greg Carlstrom [09:40]

Possible Israeli Response to a US-Iran Deal (10:32)

• Israel unlikely to strike Iran unilaterally against US wishes due to reliance on American support for defense resupply.
• The two must remain aligned, as during last year’s conflict.

Takeaways

• Netanyahu’s visit is driven by deep Israeli skepticism—possibly anxiety—about US negotiations with Iran.
• Structural disagreements and impatient US policy make a quick breakthrough improbable.
• US-Israel unity is vital for Israel’s strategy and military latitude on Iran.

Fast-Tracked EU Membership for Ukraine

Context & Core Issues

• Brussels proposes giving Ukraine partial EU membership—access to some rights and funding before full membership ("multi-tier" approach)—potentially pivotal in a peace settlement.

How It Differs from Standard Enlargement (13:04)

• Accelerates integration, allowing Ukraine economic and psychological benefits early as it enacts required reforms.

• Partial rights (e.g., no veto power) but some access to funding and EU institutions.

  “In effect, it's sort of a multi-tier. Ukraine would have kind of de facto membership... but they wouldn't have full kind of voting rights, full rights within the bloc.” — Julia Jen [13:14]

Symbolic & Security Impact (14:20)

• Beyond practical benefits, EU alignment is a psychological lifeline for Ukrainians.
• As Julia describes the weight of this:

  “One of the most striking photographs of the entire war... a woman was holding a key ring... with the EU flag. Psychologically, EU membership for Ukraine is a lifeline...”
  — Julia Jen [14:27]

Obstacles: Hungary & Political Risks (15:36)

• Hungarian veto as ongoing hurdle. If Orban is ousted in upcoming elections, chances improve; otherwise, exceptional measures (like stripping voting rights) may be considered.
• Even the suggestion of using Article 7 (suspending Hungary’s voting rights) underscores the high stakes.

Risks to EU Integrity & Precedents for Others (17:13)

• Concerns about weakening the EU through differentiated membership.
• Moldova and Albania watch closely; risks particularly acute for Moldova given Russian presence.

Timing & Geopolitics (19:45)

• Peace deal timelines, US and Russian buy-in complicate matters.

• Upcoming referenda and presidential elections in Ukraine (despite wartime conditions) could reshape the landscape.

  "It's sort of impossible. It's so impractical. So I think the diplomatic maneuvers are going to be very delicate in the next few months.”
  — Julia Jen [19:25]

Briefs: Russia’s Military Posture, Macron’s Europe, Canadian Mass Shooting

• Estonia’s Intelligence: Russia rebuilding military, but no NATO attack expected this year or next. Urges vigilance and notes Moscow's efforts to slow Europe’s rearmament.
• Macron’s Stance: Urges EU to behave as a global power; calls for European autonomy and joint funding instruments as US commitment wavers.
• Canada Tragedy: Mass shooting in British Columbia leaves 10 dead—one of the country’s deadliest such attacks [02:47].

Greece and Turkey: Trade Overtures Amid Enduring Tensions

Renewed Diplomatic Engagement (31:02)

• Greek PM visits Ankara for sixth high-level meeting, primarily focused on trade expansion (targeting €10bn volume).
• According to Hannah Lucinda Smith:

  “What we're seeing today is the sixth in a series of meetings... This meeting today is very much focused around trade... But then the other part of it as well is geopolitics.” [31:20]

Role of NATO (32:56)

• NATO remains key stabilizer; direct bilateral “back channels” have diminished, especially since 2020's migration tensions.
• Athens-Ankara relations still subject to flare-ups; risk persists of local incidents escalating.

Underlying Issues: Maritime & Military (35:11)

• Disputes over maritime borders and airspace violations remain unresolved but are actively managed to avoid flashpoints.

• Changing US administrations affect the balance—Biden favored Greece more openly than Trump.

  “He (Erdogan) is a leader who likes to use foreign crises for his domestic advantage.”
  — Hannah Lucinda Smith [37:11]

Media Coverage & The Road Ahead

• Pro-government Turkish media positive; a real test will be if domestic Turkish concerns lead Erdogan to reignite tensions for political gain.

Vatican: Olympics, Policy, and Popemobile Itineraries

Religious Presence at Winter Olympics (38:41)

• No Vatican athletes, but the Holy See uses Milan-Cortina games to emphasize faith’s link to sports.
• Pope Leo issues open letter on sports’ values—solidarity, dignity, and warning against commercialism.

Vatican’s “Olympic” Traditions (41:17)

• Presence of a wooden cross, akin to the Olympic flame, traveling between cities.
• Vatican office for church and sport established since 2004.

Papal Visits & Political Context

• Pope Leo not planning a US visit soon, a subtle rebuke of current US administration’s immigration policy.
• Instead, scheduled trips to Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, possible trips to Spain and Peru.

In-Depth: New York City’s New Mayor and the Democratic Party’s “Civil War”

Zoran Mamdani’s First Month (45:25 & ff.)

• Mandani, a Democratic Socialist, elected mayor amid high hopes but immediate logistical challenges (severe cold snap, sanitation woes, 16 deaths from hypothermia).

• Hank Sheinkopf (Democratic strategist):

  “He's not really the mayor. He's the leader of a social movement and a political movement which has taken on great speed. This is a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party..." [47:39]

• Sheinkopf warns of internal party fractures; accuses Mandani’s camp of lacking understanding of deeper cultural and ethnic issues, and of anti-Israel bias.

• Eddie Borges (journalist, Mandani supporter):

  "This new DSA is speaking a new American English about the issues we care about... health care, child care, these are human rights.” [49:53]

  “Of course the people who live well in the status quo... are going to be scared... we're in a civil war within our own party.” [50:32]

• White House (Trump) and GOP figures actively work to frustrate Mandani’s agenda (e.g., threats to funding for free transport).

Milan Winter Olympics: Live Impressions & Athlete Voices

Key Features (52:05 & ff.)

• Monocle team broadcasts from 47th floor pop-up studio in Milan.
• Creative “Cauldron” design for Olympic flame—public can visit, see nightly artistic performances.
• "Houses" (national, corporate) are vibrant cultural outposts; Korean "K-Beauty" and "K-Pop" are massive draws.

Athlete’s Perspective Gus Kenworthy (freestyle skier for Team GB):

“It's just a feeling you can't recreate. And it doesn't matter how many times you've done it. I get that feeling every time I walk out. But then I also think, like, each and every Games is totally unique...” [56:02]

Olympics as a vehicle for soft power, brand exposure, and personal experience—Monocle’s correspondents provide engaging, on-the-ground insights.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Greg Carlstrom on US-Israeli policy drift:

  "It seemed like every week the American position shifted..." [06:44]

• Julia Jen on EU accession’s psychological importance:

  "...EU membership for Ukraine is a lifeline..." [14:27]

• Hannah Lucinda Smith on regional geopolitics:

  "He (Erdogan) is a leader who likes to use foreign crises for his domestic advantage." [37:11]

• Gus Kenworthy, on Olympic experience:

  "It's just a feeling you can't recreate... each and every Games is totally unique..." [56:02]

Final Thoughts

This packed episode offers lucid, well-sourced analysis of the geopolitical calculations behind Netanyahu’s Washington visit, the innovative yet fraught EU membership proposal for Ukraine, and the ongoing complexities of both European and American political theaters. The Winter Olympics, Vatican diplomacy, and US city politics round out a highly current, well-contextualized discussion—true to Monocle’s globalist brand.