The Globalist – February 13, 2026

Episode Theme:
A live, globe-spanning current affairs roundup focused on the outset of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Europe’s evolving security posture, Middle East diplomatic jostling, a looming constitutional shakeup in Zimbabwe, front-page politics in France, cultural celebrations of women’s nonfiction, and Winter Olympics dispatches from Milan.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers timely insight into “what’s on the agenda at this year’s Munich Security Conference”—examining Europe’s growing strategic autonomy, reactions to American global posture shifts, regional mediation struggles in the Middle East, democratic backsliding in Zimbabwe, and urgent domestic questions in France. Cultural stories and live Olympic impressions round out the program.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Munich Security Conference: The US–Europe Relationship at a Turning Point

• Key Segment: [04:20–12:11]

• Context:
  European leaders convene in Munich amid anxiety around the US's waning commitment to NATO and global security. The drama intensified when the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, skipped the latest NATO Defence Ministers meeting, sending policy chief Elbridge Colby instead.

• Highlights:

  • Alexis Self on European Mood ([04:20]):
    “The big question this year is how forthright the Europeans will be in their criticism of the Trump administration… This has become in a rearming world, the kind of set piece conference. Top European leaders are here… also a large US Delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Some Democrats might encourage Europe to be a bit more outspoken in their criticism.”
  • Guraana Gurgic on US Messaging ([05:46]):
    “Mark Ruta is always busy trying to find excuses for the Trump administration… The United States won’t be focusing on Europe... there are significant differences when it comes to some of these shared strategic foundations and views.”
  • On Practical Steps ([07:43]):
    Europe is pursuing tangible defense initiatives—especially in the Arctic and Northern flanks (Arctic Century in Greenland)—aiming for greater burden-sharing, supply chain integration, industrial scaling, and interoperability.
    “Will they be able to get from the promises to performance?... Whether Europeans will become more interoperable and less strategically dependent on the United States, which they currently are.”
  • Defence Industry Response ([09:27]):
    Alexis Self: “European defense companies have benefited from the past year… The big thing is interoperability… it will take a while for that spending to translate into proper hard power, but 12 months on… Europeans will be a bit more forthright and that will reflect newfound confidence.”

• Monocle’s On-the-Ground Coverage ([11:18]): – Monocle’s team is on-site for interviews with state and military officials and sharing updates via dedicated newsletters.

2. Middle East Mediation: Who Gets to Broker Peace?

• Key Segment: [13:29–18:14]

• Context:
  As US–Iran tensions simmer, Egypt joins a crowded field of regional mediators including Turkey, Oman, and Qatar.

• Highlights:

  • Ruth Michelson on Egypt’s Move ([13:29]):
    “Egypt has played a role in these negotiations because we’ve seen it play an increasingly assertive role… A key mediator in Gaza… As this risks being a regional conflict between the US and Iran, we’ve seen those countries increasingly step up and try and mediate.”
  • On Mediation Dynamics ([16:03]):
    “It does matter who gets to play the role, in terms of trust… who mediates influences format—potentially expanding or narrowing the agenda (like Iran’s ballistic missile program), with Oman’s mediation, the scope stayed limited.”
  • Risks Remain:
    Even a nuclear deal may not avert military escalation; Israeli officials remain hawkish regardless of mediation progress.

3. French Political Front Pages: Presidential Fixation and Demographic Angst

• Key Segment: [19:33–26:42]

• Context:
  Alexandra Kushner, from Paris, reviews the current issues gripping French politics.

• Highlights:

  • On the Presidential Race ([19:33]):
    “For French politicians, 2027 has already started… France already has a flurry of candidates and judicial controversies. The only thing missing is a credible platform, a perspective on the future of the country and maybe, just maybe, solutions to actual problems.”
  • Paris Mayoral Race ([21:30]):
    “Five contestants could get to the second round—it’s messy… I’m a political analyst and I’m already getting tired.”
  • Government Letter on Declining Birthrate ([24:00]):
    Postcards urging 29-year-olds to consider having children or freezing eggs triggered bemusement about state responses:
    “Because a letter from a government headed by a childless president telling young people to just get on with it might not just do the trick.”
  • Women in Science Day ([25:49]):
    Sophie Adeno, second French woman in space, launches for International Day for Women in Science.

4. Zimbabwe’s Power Play: Constitutional Changes to Extend the Presidency

• Key Segment: [35:06–44:02]

• Context:
  President Mnangagwa’s cabinet approves draft legislation to extend his rule until 2030, shifting the presidency from direct vote to parliamentary selection.

• Highlights:

  • Brendan von Essen ([36:19]):
    “Cabinet has approved draft legislation to extend the president’s term… and shift the choice from public vote to parliament… Also, the president will appoint 10 new senators… This will allow him to extend his term by two years to 2030, and lays groundwork for further constitutional changes… part of a standard play by autocrats to just extend their time in power.”
  • Lack of Effective Opposition ([37:57]):
    “ZANU PF has been very effective at undermining the rule of law… There is no strong or effective voice against the government… Despite inevitable domestic unrest, the regime prices that in—preserving its own power is now the overriding goal.”

5. Weekly Reflection & Cultural Stories

a. Andrew Muller’s Satirical Round-Up

• Key Segment: [28:27–35:06]
• Takes on the NHL “abolished” by China (via presidential ramblings); culture-war fallout from the Super Bowl halftime show; Olympic protesters; and US culture wars.
• Memorable moment ([30:52]):
  “It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now. I think it's a little hard. There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of… Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on.” — Ed Stocker, reporting on US Olympic athletes expressing ambivalence.

b. Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction: Championing Women’s Voices

• Key Segment: [45:24–53:13]
• Thangam Debonair:
  “It is important to champion a mix of talent because it isn't just the prize for new writers… there are some amazing women historians, critics, journalists who can tell a fantastic tale that is also very well researched… it’s a way of saying you don’t have to be tokenistic, but you do have to make an effort. You do have to notice if your shelves are dominated by male writers, what is that about?” ([51:06])
• Wide range of books on the 16-title longlist, including memoir (Arundhati Roy), historical reportage (Barbara Demick), and stories re-framing known histories.

6. Dispatches from Milan: Olympic Games in Full Swing

• Key Segment: [53:56–60:30]
• Ed Stocker & Tom Webb Reporting:
  – The Games have transformed Milan, making the city feel “electric” and internationally vibrant.
  – Crowd enthusiasm palpable at events—figure skating standout:
  “We did see the quad God…Ilya Malin…did his backflip, which has been banned from the Olympics in the past…but he did it, and half the stadium did erupt and stand on their feet.” ([57:16])
  – Local officials are proud of smoothly-run ceremonies, despite ticket price point and access limitations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The big question this year is how forthright the Europeans will be in their criticism of the Trump administration.”
  – Alexis Self ([04:20])

• “Mark Ruta is always busy trying to find excuses for the Trump administration… but the United States won’t be focusing on Europe.”
  – Guraana Gurgic ([05:46])

• “For French politicians, 2027 has already started… parties are trying to get information while candidates have started coming forward…So a year before the election, France already has a flurry of candidates judicial controversies. So the only thing missing probably is a credible platform.”
  – Alexandra Kushner ([19:33])

• “This is just part of a standard play by autocrats to just extend their time in power.”
  – Brendan von Essen on Zimbabwe’s president ([36:19])

• “Because a letter from a government headed by a childless president telling young people to just get on with it might not just do the trick.”
  – Alexandra Kushner on France’s birthrate postcards ([24:00])

• “It is important to champion a mix of talent because it isn't just the prize for new writers, but we of course want to celebrate those women who are entering the fray of non fiction.”
  – Thangam Debonair ([49:50])

• Olympic moment:
  “We did see the quad God … Ilya Malin … did his backflip ... half the stadium did erupt and stand on their feet. And I heard goosebumps. And it's those moments that really bring the Games to life.”
  – Tom Webb ([57:16])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [04:20] Munich Security Conference analysis (Alexis Self, Guraana Gurgic)
• [13:29] Middle East mediation (Ruth Michelson)
• [19:33] French front pages & politics (Alexandra Kushner)
• [35:06] Zimbabwe’s constitution crisis (Brendan von Essen)
• [45:24] Women’s Prize for Nonfiction (Thangam Debonair)
• [53:56] Milan Winter Olympics reflection (Ed Stocker, Tom Webb)

Language & Tone

Maintains an informed, cosmopolitan, occasionally witty style—serious when warranted (security, democracy), dry or playful in review or satire sections.

Summary Conclusion

This episode captures a world in flux: Europe bracing for defense autonomy, the US reevaluating commitments, regional powers jostling in the Middle East, democratic norms under threat in Zimbabwe, and Western societies wrestling with identity, demographics, and representation. The reporting is wide-ranging, global, and vividly observed, with cultural coverage and lighter moments (Olympic feats, literary awards) providing balance and humanity. The show’s original tone—worldly, nuanced, occasionally arch—shines throughout.