The Globalist – November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Globalist on Monocle Radio, hosted by Emma Nelson, provides in-depth analysis and discussion on several current international affairs. The primary focus is the White House’s renewed push for peace in Ukraine, centering on recent diplomatic efforts, competing peace proposals, and Europe’s role in the negotiations. The episode also covers the EU-AU summit in Angola, the presidential election in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska, mounting humanitarian crises, a feature on Iceland’s hidden role in the Apollo moon program, a Monocle Weekender event in Abu Dhabi, and the latest tech gadgets for the holiday season.

1. White House’s Renewed Push for Peace in Ukraine

(Main segment, 01:14–11:22)

Main Theme

Examining the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s positive assessment of Geneva peace talks, the origins, credibility, and content of the “28-point peace plan,” and the crucial but complicated role of Europe in shaping any future peace deal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Rubio’s Optimism and Mystery of the Talks

  • Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, described the talks as “the most productive day… in a very long time” (03:47), but withheld specifics.
  • Quote (03:53): “We have had on this issue, maybe in the entirety of our engagement, but certainly in a very long time.” – Marco Rubio

• Murky Origins of the Peace Plan

  • The 28-point peace plan’s authorship is disputed: initially framed as Trump’s, then traced to Russian wealth fund chief Kirill Dmitriev and real estate developer Steve Witkoff.
  • Quote (04:55): “The antecedents of the peace plan are as murky and messy as the details of the plan itself… And then apparently the Russians leaked it, we believe, to the press, and then Trump owned it, and then Marco Rubio walked it back, and then he has walked it forward again.” – Jenny Mathers

• Europe’s Counterproposal and Objectives

  • UK, France, and Germany drafted their own proposal, using the US plan as a “basis,” but altering key clauses to:
    • Reaffirm Ukraine’s sovereignty
    • Insist on a full non-aggression pact between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO
    • Reject a clause prohibiting further NATO expansion
    • Propose a larger Ukrainian military (800,000 vs 600,000 in US/Russian draft)
  • Quote (06:22): “They [Europeans] insist on reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty … reject the demand of the Americans… and raise the cap of Ukraine’s peacetime army.” – Stefan De Vries

• Russian Stubbornness and Key Sticking Points

  • Russia insists Ukraine surrender all of Donetsk (even parts it doesn’t hold), and refuses war crimes accountability.
  • Quote (07:39): “Russians have been very stubborn… particularly insisting that Ukraine should give up all of Donetsk region… and the clause which gives Russia a ‘get out of jail free card’ literally when it comes to war crimes.” – Jenny Mathers

• Europe’s Place at the Table

  • European governments, especially in the Netherlands, view the original US/Russian plan as “capitulation” for Ukraine and resent being bypassed. EU fragmentation limits Europe’s influence.
  • Quote (09:42): “Europeans have been very critical, but also… were not amused by the fact that once again, they were bypassed… Europe is often in the toolkit, but not in the toolbox.” – Stefan De Vries

• General Conclusion

  • The plan is widely seen as unclear and divisive. Any peace agreement remains distant due to competing interests and a lack of transparent negotiation.

2. EU-AU Summit in Angola: Europe’s Strategy in Africa

(12:09–19:34)

Focus

As the EU and AU mark 25 years of partnership, the summit in Luanda highlights Europe’s efforts to assert influence in Africa amid rising competition from China, the Gulf, and the US.

Main Points

• EU’s Core Goals

  • Heavy focus on investments, especially infrastructure (e.g., Lobito Corridor: rail/port linking Angola, Zambia, DRC to Atlantic).
  • Quote (12:19): “One of the key pillars of the EU strategy is to have greater investment in Africa… [but] unless we see concrete financing… they’re not really going to go ahead.” – Marisa Lourenzo

• Challenges for Europe

  • EU struggling to “stay ahead” as it cannot match China’s resources or Gulf states’ appetite for quick capital deployment.
  • Quote (15:45): “The EU doesn’t hold huge sway in Africa… it comes down to individual countries. Obviously Portugal is still involved in Angola… but rising Gulf investment [UAE, Qatar] moves faster.” – Marisa Lourenzo

• Fragmented Strategies

  • Both EU and AU lack cohesion; individual nations drive policy, not the blocs as a whole.
  • Looking ahead, the partnership is expected to endure, though Africa faces rising instability and demographic pressures.

3. Bosnia's Republika Srpska Election

(33:26–37:45)

Highlights

• Proxy Candidacy and Political Manipulation

  • Milorad Dodik, banned from office, orchestrates Sinisa Karan’s victory: “two Dodiks” leading the entity.
  • Quote (35:04): “Now you have two Dodiks.” – Milorad Dodik

• Public Disengagement

  • Voter turnout below 36%, down from 53% in the last election—a sign of widespread disenchantment.

• Continued Nationalist Risks

  • As Bosnia reflects on 30 years since Dayton Peace, these developments underscore the persistence of ethno-nationalism and institutional stalling.

4. Press Review and Global Headlines

(20:33–31:35)

Notable World Stories Covered

• Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

  • Israel assassinates top Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
  • Quote (22:18): “Hezbollah is a threat to Israel, there’s no question about that. But it’s also true that Netanyahu uses this… as a way to bolster his own profile.” – Steve Crawshaw

• Gaza Reconstruction Plans

  • Critics highlight the futility of reconstruction amid ongoing occupation and exclusion zones.
  • Quote (26:08): “To those who have, shall be given; to those who have not, shall be taken away.” – Steve Crawshaw

• Sudan’s Invisibility

  • Rapid Support Forces commit alleged atrocities in Darfur while world is distracted.
  • Quote (26:51): “The bloodshed in El Fasher and the rest of Darfur has unfolded largely out of sight.” – Steve Crawshaw

• Human Interest

  • Discovery of unknown Bach pieces after 30 years in a German archive.
  • Quote (29:55): “The handwriting of the score fascinated me… I had this vague feeling these pieces of paper could be interesting someday.” – Peter Volney (musicologist)

5. Feature: Iceland’s Moon Connection

(38:30–45:28)

Storyline

• Apollo Astronauts’ Training in Iceland

  • Iceland’s lava fields as Moon analog—9 of 12 moonwalkers trained there in the 1960s.
  • The story, nearly forgotten, is revived by local museum founder Orli Orlason.

• Saved Letters and Neil Armstrong’s Secret

  • Armstrong’s and Edmund Hillary’s 1985 North Pole adventure (previously secret at Armstrong’s request) brought to light by letters and film footage gifted to the museum.
  • Quote (40:50): “They told us they had made a promise to Neil to not tell the story while he was alive… for a small organization like mine to be given this. I mean, this is the last sort of unknown story of two of the greatest explorers of the 20th century.” – Orli Orlason

6. Monocle Weekender in Abu Dhabi: Reflections

(46:15–51:02)

• Bonding, Local Access, and Changing Perceptions

  • Monocle’s team and attendees share the value of immersive, repeat experiences breaking down stereotypes of the Gulf.
  • Quote (47:05): “The bonhomie between people has been extraordinary… they can see a place in a way that only Monocle can really help them do.” – Tom Edwards

• Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Transformation

  • “Nowhere else in the world where you can stand on the forecourt of the Louvre Museum, look across the water and see the Guggenheim.” – Tom Edwards (49:41)
  • Diverse guest impressions—especially from American participants—challenge preconceptions about the UAE.

7. Technology Roundup: The Gift-Giving Season

(51:22–58:40)

• Smart Glasses Boom

  • Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses: multiple frame sizes, play music, take photos/videos via cameras, touch control; privacy concerns addressed.
  • Oakley Meta Vanguard variant for athletes.
  • Quote (56:09): “I think they are phenomenally successful… the new ones have better battery life, better camera, and are just out.” – David Phelan

• Apple AirPods Pro 2

  • Improved noise cancellation, new foam tips, heart rate sensor for workouts.

• Ebooks & Libraries

  • Pocketbook introduces seamless library lending app.

8. Notable Quotes & Moments

On the Ukraine Peace Plan

• “The plan was received very negatively. It was basically seen as a proposition to capitulate for the Ukrainians.” (09:42 – Stefan De Vries)
• “Europe is often in the toolkit, but not in the toolbox.” (10:24 – Stefan De Vries)

On EU-Africa Relations

• “I don't see it as having a defined strategy towards Africa… I think individual EU countries have specific strategies, but as a bloc, it does not have a cohesive strategy.” (14:56 – Marisa Lourenzo)

On the Monocle Weekender

• “The bonomy between people has been absolutely extraordinary... they realize that they can see a place in a way that only Monocle can really help them do.” (47:05 – Tom Edwards)

On Gadget Culture

• “He’s bringing them out. So last time you came in, you brought the Oakley ones. Yes, and we had a lovely, lovely, lovely time. And I’m delighted to say he’s brought some more in to play with.” (52:31 – Emma Nelson)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Plan Panel: 01:14–11:22
• EU-AU Summit Analysis: 12:09–19:34
• Bosnia Election Coverage: 33:26–37:45
• Press Review (Gaza/Sudan/Bach): 20:33–31:35
• Iceland/Apollo Feature: 38:30–45:28
• Monocle Weekender: 46:15–51:02
• Tech Roundup: 51:22–58:40

Summary

This episode highlighted the complexity and fluidity of current international negotiations, particularly around Ukraine, and the ways in which European powers are both challenged and constrained by external forces and their own divisions. Elsewhere, the show provided nuanced takes on the EU’s struggle to remain influential in Africa, the persistence of ethno-nationalist politics in the Balkans, forgotten exploration lore from Iceland, and a sense of community and discovery through Monocle's curated events. The technology segment offered a playful but practical guide to holiday tech, echoing the show’s blend of global seriousness and everyday curiosity.