The Globalist – Episode Summary

Podcast: The Globalist (Monocle Radio)
Episode: What’s Next for Kosovo as it Fails Again to Pick a Prime Minister?
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Emma Nelson

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Kosovo's continuing political impasse after parliament failed again to elect a prime minister, leaving the country without a functioning government since February. The conversation features Guy Delaunay, Monocle's Balkans correspondent, exploring why Albin Kurti and his party remain unable to form a coalition, and what this means for Kosovo's identity and future. The episode then pivots to Ukraine’s ongoing anti-corruption battle in wartime, reporting from Finland's Slush startup festival, coverage of Sabah tourism in Malaysian Borneo, Southeast Asian news, and highlights from the Dubai Air Show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kosovo’s Political Crisis (00:55–10:04)

The Convoluted Collapse of Albin Kurti’s Administration

• Context: Kosovo's parliament failed for the second time to elect a prime minister. Albin Kurti, leader of Vetvendosja ("Self-Determination"), unable to form a coalition after winning over 40% of votes in February.
• Guy Delaunay on the Impasse:
  • "His party was...the largest in the national assembly...but he didn’t have quite enough MPs to form an overall majority." (03:26)
  • Kurti’s refusal to compromise and coalition-build, considered a “very steely character,” is reflective of his brand: uncompromising, anti-corruption, and unwilling to cooperate with parties associated with the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), often viewed as kleptocratic.
  • "Nine months, Emma, now, that's enough time to create a brand new human being, but apparently not enough to form a government in Kosovo." (03:55)

Barriers to Coalition and Kosovo’s Identity Crisis

• Kurti and Vetvendosja’s unapologetic Albanian nationalist stance creates tension:
  • "They are unapologetically Albanian nationalist...Kurti really wants unity with Albania. It's as simple as that." (06:55)
  • “When you used to go and visit him...you wouldn't see the flag of Kosovo anywhere. You'd see plenty of the red and black flags of Albania." (07:17)
• Actions against the Serb minority in northern Kosovo have soured relations with the EU and US; EU funds have been withheld, and the US, traditionally a key supporter, has expressed frustration.

What Happens Next?

• President Vjosa Osmani is constitutionally obliged to call fresh elections within 40 days.
• Delaunay notes the political cost is yet unclear: "It's a question of who gets punished at the ballot box, really." (09:47)

2. Ukraine’s Battle with Corruption Amid War (11:16–19:14)

Zelenskyy’s Anti-Corruption Image Tested

• Julia Gent, Monocle’s Ukraine Expert, discusses the proximity of the corruption scandal to President Zelenskyy:
  • "So close to him, they go back to his days as an actor...this sort of band of brothers that's come from this kind entertainment industry." (11:34)
  • "The drama in getting these tapes...the law, the enforcement agencies, they drilled a hole through the ceiling into [Timo Mindich's] flat to record these tapes. And this is a flat that Zelenskyy has celebrated his birthday in." (12:49)

The Scope and Impact of the Scandal

• Over $100 million allegedly stolen from the state nuclear company as kickbacks to contractors; some proceeds tied to defense companies.
• Public unity is eroded as corruption is laid bare: "It all sort of spits in the face of people who are really giving up luxuries in order to keep the home front going." (13:47)
• On public mood: "Now we've even heard in the last week that potentially [Zelenskyy’s popularity] has fallen down to 20%...there’s a feeling that substantial, very transformative change has to happen now." (15:53)

International Negotiations & Future Risks

• Ukraine contends with intrusive, unfavorable terms in secret peace talks, including proposals for demilitarization, ending Western arms supplies, and restoring Russian language/church.
• "Trump is keen for that peace deal...but for Ukrainian side, many of these points are unacceptable." (18:05)

3. Slush Startup Festival & Tech Investment Trends (31:42–37:15)

Helsinki’s Slush Festival: Europe’s Startup Hub

• Reporting from Helsinki, Petri Birtsov notes global venture capitalists fly in for the event, with $4 trillion in capital present.
• Key Industry Focus: AI dominates investor interest, with other deep science innovations (e.g., animal-free egg protein) highlighted.
  • "For the current five to ten years, AI is the biggest shift and we are looking for how it's going to manifest itself across all layers of what we do." – Senya Loginov, Accel VC (35:18)
  • "We produce real egg protein but instead of chickens...with 90% lower environmental impact." – Laura Ericsson, Onego Bio (36:44)

4. Sabah, Borneo – Tourism & Sustainability (37:59–44:27)

Sabah’s Natural & Cultural Draw, and Sustainability

• Julianus Jeffrey Jimett, Sabah Tourism Board CEO:
  • Highlights adventure and eco-tourism, home to Southeast Asia’s highest peak (Mount Kinabalu), world-class diving, and four UNESCO sites.
  • Early conservation (“started in 1964, tourism only started in early 80s”) integrated into development.
  • Emphasis on community-based tourism and empowering locals:
    • "We actually push for the development of community-based tourism...once you stay one or two nights with local people, it's easy for you to fall in love." (42:19)
  • "Explore, experience and enjoy Sabah...a homecoming...an experience of a lifetime." (44:04)

5. Southeast Asia Update: Indonesia’s Diplomacy & Tech

Indonesia’s Stance on Gaza, Military, and Tech Mergers (46:13–52:10)

• Randy Mulanto, Red Voice Indonesia: Indonesia supports UN peacekeeping in Gaza and maintains a balanced, non-aligned foreign policy (“does not seek to side explicitly with any bloc”).
• Indonesia-Japan deepen maritime security cooperation, part of Indonesia’s broader pivot to strategic partnerships without full alliance commitments.
• Discussion of potential Grab-Goto merger in Southeast Asian tech markets.

6. Dubai Air Show: Aviation’s Scale and Competition (52:56–58:24)

Massive Orders, Boeing’s Win, and the Rise of China’s COMAC

• Gabriel Lee, Monocle Transport Correspondent:
  • Emirates and FlyDubai placed huge orders for Boeing 777X (up to 270 in fleet), bolstering Boeing amid development and certification delays.
  • "It was a much needed vote of confidence for Boeing." (53:47)
  • COMAC C919, China’s single-aisle competitor, showcased: "It left me with the feeling that, you know, it's just a matter of time." (55:49)
• Lee also covers Swiss’s A350 launch, which marks a new standard in transatlantic comfort and service.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Guy Delaunay on Kosovo’s slow progress:
  "Nine months, Emma, now, that's enough time to create a brand new human being, but apparently not enough to form a government in Kosovo." (03:55)

• "The one thing [Kurti] does have in common with the president of Serbia, Aleksandr Vučić, is that neither of them think that Kosovo should exist as an independent country." (06:55)

• Julia Gent on the Ukraine scandal:
  "The drama in getting these tapes...the enforcement agencies, they drilled a hole through the ceiling into his flat to record these tapes." (12:49)

• Slush start-up focus:
  "For the current five to ten years, AI is the biggest shift..." – Senya Loginov (35:18)
  "Egg protein without chickens…with 90% lower environmental impact." – Laura Ericsson (36:44)

• Sabah’s call to travelers:
  "Explore, experience and enjoy Sabah...a homecoming...an experience of a lifetime." – Julianus Jeffrey Jimett (44:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kosovo’s government crisis: 00:55–10:04
• Ukraine corruption scandal: 11:16–19:14
• Slush start-up festival: 31:42–37:15
• Sabah tourism & sustainability: 37:59–44:27
• Southeast Asia news (Indonesia focus): 46:13–52:10
• Dubai Air Show & aviation outlook: 52:56–58:24

Tone & Style

The episode balances Monocle’s trademark brisk, insightful journalism with moments of wit and local color. Conversations are sharp, with knowledgeable correspondents providing deep context, and the host maintaining a global, forward-looking perspective.

Summary Takeaway

This Globalist episode provides a thorough look at unfolding stories in Kosovo and Ukraine, balancing these with trend-spotting from Europe’s leading startup event, sustainable tourism in Southeast Asia, and the jaw-dropping scale of the Dubai Air Show. Listeners come away with a sense of how nationalism, governance, technological change, and regional diplomacy are shaping the near future in Europe and beyond.