The Globalist – Monocle

Episode Date: Wednesday, 31 December 2025
Host: Emma Nelson
Notable Guests: Scott Lucas (Clinton Institute, University College Dublin), Nina dos Santos (international broadcast journalist), William Drew (Director of Content, World’s 50 Best Restaurants), Lars Bavanga (Monocle Oslo correspondent)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Globalist takes listeners on a whirlwind tour of year-end global current affairs, from intensifying protests and economic hardships in Iran to rising regional tensions in the Gulf, landmark corporate legal cases, shifts in the global food scene, and even Norway's obsession with chess. Anchored from London, Emma Nelson is joined by a cast of correspondents and experts for a sharp, context-rich roundup of politics, culture, and human stories that defined the closing weeks of 2025.

Key Discussion Points

1. Protests and Economic Crisis in Iran

Guest: Scott Lucas
Segment: [01:50]–[09:10]

• Protests Erupt: Iran faces its third consecutive day of nationwide protests, sparked by shopkeeper strikes over a catastrophic economic downturn.

• Currency Collapse: The Iranian rial has lost 97% of its value since 2018, with a 40% drop just this year ([02:48]). Skyrocketing inflation (over 40% officially, much higher in reality) means “the basics of life can become unaffordable” — Scott Lucas ([03:17]).

• Protests Spread: Initially focused in Tehran, demonstrations have rippled out to universities and cities countrywide. Scale is smaller than 2009 or 2022 but could grow ([03:45]).

  “They [the protests] have the potential to grow farther, and they have the potential to further unsettle what is already a weakened Iranian regime.” — Scott Lucas [04:08]

• Government Response: Heavy security presence in Tehran, but not yet the mass crackdowns of previous uprisings. Arrests, intimidation, and repression persist on a rolling basis ([04:41]).

• Emergent Political Dynamics: A centrist government urges economic reform and modest political opening, but hardliners (military, Revolutionary Guards) blame foreigners and call for repression ([05:50]).

• Regime Stability: No imminent collapse:

  “We’ve got to maintain the call for reforms, but not overthrow of the system at this point.” — Scott Lucas [07:40]

• Foreign Threats: Renewed threats from Israel/US could ironically strengthen the regime by invoking nationalism.

  “The worst thing that could happen...is if Benjamin Netanyahu...has another pop at Iran with airstrikes and if the Trump administration supports that.” — Scott Lucas [09:04]

2. Year in Review and Press Roundup

Guest: Nina dos Santos
Segment: [09:56]–[18:03]

• "Year of Peace" Irony: Discussion on a Financial Times piece (Alec Russell) referencing the Roman historian Tacitus:

  “They make a desert and then they call it peace.” (paraphrased) ([10:50])

• The year, ironically dubbed “Year of Peace,” saw scarcely any true peace, with proxy wars and new conflicts flaring (Ukraine, Middle East, Yemen). History repeats—sometimes at, “warp speed” with Trump returning to the foreground ([12:39]).

• Yemen Escalation: Analysis of the conflict between UAE and Saudi Arabia.

  • UAE withdraws forces after Saudi attacks on its tanks in Yemen ([13:27]).
  • Once allies, the two Sunni powers clash directly, with the Shia-backed Houthis (supported by Iran) looking on.

  “This is no longer just a proxy conflict...they’ve actually directly hit each other’s assets in a place like Yemen.” — Nina dos Santos [14:30]

  • Swelling rift has major implications for the US and regional stability ([15:38]).
  • Broader Implications: UAE’s rising regional influence (economic, diplomatic), brain drain from UK, strategic oil/gas reserves in contested regions ([16:09]).

  “It is definitely a conflict to watch. And, hey, let’s see whether Donald Trump gets involved in that one. Maybe he could prove Tacitus right or wrong after all.” — Nina dos Santos [17:48]

3. Corporate Complicity in Conflict – The Swedish Oil Case

Segment: [18:03]–[21:19]

• Landmark Legal Case: Sweden debates whether the executives of Lundin Oil (now based in Geneva) could be complicit in war crimes stemming from their 1990s Sudan operations.

• Legal and Moral Questions: Parallel drawn with legacy of Nuremberg Trials and the lack of accountability for companies in war.

  “Should a Swedish company’s executives...really face this type of censure just to make the point that Nuremberg wasn’t able to make all those generations ago?” — Nina dos Santos [21:10]

4. The Global Rise of Food Culture – World's 50 Best Restaurants List

Guest: William Drew
Segment: [21:54]–[27:18]

• Community and Cultural Bridges:

  “That sense of community, collaboration, cooperation, friendship, sharing food and drink together is...one of the fundamentals of life and humanity.” — William Drew [22:04]

• Regional Impact: Introduction of Asia’s and Latin America’s 50 Best catalyzed local pride (e.g., Peru’s culinary reputation soared) ([23:04]).

• Responsible Curation:

  • Balance of tradition and innovation is decided by a panel of 1,100+ experts.
  • Aim for integrity and credibility in selection ([24:40]).
  • Lists spark economic growth through food tourism.

• Future Food Trends:

  • Indigenous ingredients and heritage cuisine are gaining international recognition—e.g., Aboriginal foods in Australia ([25:58]).
  • “A shift towards respect for heritage and indigenous foodstuffs, which goes with the move towards locality and sustainability as well.” — William Drew [26:20]

5. Norway's National Chess Craze and Quirky Year-End Traditions

Guest: Lars Bavanga
Segment: [27:46]–[33:05]

• Chess Obsession: Norwegians glued to TV for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Qatar, fueled by superstar Magnus Carlsen, “the prodigy...now a grown man, but he’s still winning pretty much everything.” — Lars Bavanga [29:36]

• Cultural Moment: Chess commentary in Norway likened to Formula One for its speed and drama ([28:43]).

• Christmas Debate: Every household disputes when Christmas is truly over; tradition says January 6 (13th day), clashing with British habits to “end it earlier” ([30:22]).

• Fireworks Follies: New Year’s Eve brings widespread household fireworks—with men (often “the father of the house...who will have had a few before midnight”) statistically most likely to be injured:

  “Combining alcohol with explosives is a bad idea. But nevertheless, every year you see damages to people and property in Norway as a result of irresponsible people, typically middle aged men.” — Lars Bavanga [32:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The basics of life can become unaffordable.” — Scott Lucas on Iran’s inflation [03:17]
• “They make a desert and then they call it peace.” — (Tacitus, quoted by Alec Russell via Nina dos Santos) [10:50]
• “This is no longer just a proxy conflict...they’ve actually directly hit each other’s assets in a place like Yemen.” — Nina dos Santos [14:30]
• “Sharing food and drink together is...one of the fundamentals of life and humanity.” — William Drew [22:04]
• “Every year you see damages to people and property in Norway as a result of irresponsible people, typically middle aged men.” — Lars Bavanga [32:14]

Timestamps – Important Segments

• [01:50] Iran’s economic crisis and protests (Scott Lucas)
• [05:38] Iranian government’s response, regime stability
• [10:50] Year of “peace”/Conflict history in 2025 (Alec Russell, FT)
• [13:27] Yemen: UAE–Saudi escalation
• [18:36] Swedish corporate war crimes case (Lundin Oil)
• [21:54] World’s 50 Best Restaurants—how it shapes culture (William Drew)
• [25:58] Indigenous ingredients’ renaissance in global cuisine
• [27:46] Norway: Chess fever, Magnus Carlsen
• [31:35] Norway: Fireworks and safety warnings

Episode Tone and Language

• Informed, brisk, and empathetic—Emma Nelson guides the show with curiosity and warmth.
• Correspondents blend expert analysis with illustrative anecdotes.
• Guests maintain clarity and seriousness on hard news, and a conversational, relatable tone for cultural stories.

Takeaway

The final Globalist of 2025 encapsulates a year defined by unrest, complexity, and change—from the streets of Tehran to the kitchens of Lima and the snowy backyards of Oslo. The conversations offer a mosaic of insight, showing that peace is often fragile, reforms hard-won, innovation and tradition each have proud defenders, and that even in a year of turbulence, community—whether around food, chess, or fireworks—remains essential.

End of Summary