The Globalist – Podcast Summary

Episode: Why the US is pressing Japan for help with Iran

Date: March 20, 2026
Host: Emma Nelson (Monocle Radio)
Main Guests:

• Richard Lloyd Parry (Asia Editor, The Times, Tokyo)
• H.J. Mai (Reporter, Washington DC)
• Nina Dos Santos (International Broadcast Correspondent, Brussels)
• Garana Gurdic (Security Correspondent, Zurich)
• Lars Bavanger (Oslo Correspondent)
• Petri Bourzoff (Helsinki Correspondent)
• Guy Delaunay (Reporting from Slovenia)

Overview of Main Theme

This episode centers on heightened diplomatic and military tensions in the Middle East, particularly the US and Israel’s conflict with Iran, and how the United States is seeking greater Japanese involvement. The show analyzes the recent White House visit by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President Trump’s unorthodox diplomatic style, the wider repercussions for US-Japan relations, the strained European political landscape (especially the EU’s challenges over Ukraine funding), and snapshots from around the world, including Norway, Finland, and Slovenia.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US-Japan Diplomacy Amid the Iran War

The White House Meeting: Takaichi & Trump

• Atmosphere: While there was an expectation of awkwardness, especially after Trump’s Pearl Harbor remarks, the meeting mostly passed without significant incident.
  • Quote: “You referenced Pearl Harbor and that the Japanese know more about surprise attacks and that clearly... was a little bit uncomfortable, at least for the Japanese delegation...” – H.J. Mai (03:32)
• Japan’s Role: The US is pressuring Japan for logistical and possibly material support regarding the Iran conflict, especially as the Strait of Hormuz (crucial for oil shipping) is effectively closed.
  • "Japan, a close, very important ally to the US... is being asked for support. Clearly, the Strait of Hormuz is practically closed. A lot of allies are struggling, especially a country like Japan..." – H.J. Mai (03:55)
• Trump's Diplomatic Style: Japan’s approach is to placate and flatter Trump, a tactic similarly used by other US allies.
  • Quote: “Successive Japanese prime ministers have always managed to head this off, and the way they've done it is by sucking up to Donald Trump, something shocking.” – Richard Lloyd Parry (09:37)
  • “She began by congratulating Barron Trump on his birthday and commenting on what a handsome boy he was... This would be comical... but with Donald Trump, it seems it’s what you have to do, and it does the trick.” – Richard Lloyd Parry (10:42)
• Japan’s Domestic Concerns: There’s strong domestic resistance to military action abroad.
  • “I think that would cause great unease and excite a lot of opposition from the Japanese public.” – Richard Lloyd Parry (11:38)

The “Pearl Harbor Moment”

• Trump referenced Pearl Harbor in response to questions on US-Israeli strikes on Iran, unsettling for the Japanese but downplayed by both leaders.
  • “The Pearl Harbor thing was something no other American president would say. But by Trump’s standards, it wasn’t that bad really.” – Richard Lloyd Parry (05:21)
  • The meeting overall was described as better than anticipated for Japan.

2. EU’s Divisions over Ukraine & Energy

Blocked Aid to Ukraine

• Context: EU summit in Brussels dominated by Viktor Orban (Hungary) and Robert Fico (Slovakia) blocking a €90bn loan to Ukraine, potentially undermining EU unity in supporting Kyiv against Russia.
  • “Never before had [the German Chancellor] seen such outright disloyalty.” – Nina Dos Santos on Viktor Orban (16:39)
• Temporary Reprieve: Ukraine was given an $8.1bn IMF loan, temporarily alleviating the crisis.

Energy Crisis & Policy

• The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian attacks are causing surging energy prices across Europe.
  • “Energy prices have surged... the cost of gas in Europe is now more than double the level before the war began.” – Emma Nelson (30:10)
• Ten EU countries are calling for a relaxation of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to relieve the economic burden.

3. Military Strain and Security Analysis

• US Munitions Depletion: Reports suggest the opening weeks of the war with Iran have led to the “most intense opening of any air campaign in modern day,” with sustainability concerns.
  • “In the first days, around 5,000 munitions fired, 11,000 in first two weeks.... the US is burning through high-end weapons in very large numbers.” – Garana Gurdic (20:49, 21:56)
  • “Cost of replacing the first four days worth of munitions is between $20 and $26 billion... but it’s the issue of scarcity, isn’t it.” – Emma Nelson (22:13)
• Defense Industrial Policy: The US (and Europe) struggle to replenish weapon stocks quickly, risking readiness for other global contingencies.

4. European Politics and Unrest

Dutch Leadership Critique

• New Dutch PM Rob Jetten calls for national capitals, not just the EU itself, to step up and “stop complaining and start delivering.”
  • “Proper headline should have been how not to win friends and influence people...” – Garana Gurdic (23:56)

NATO Tensions: Denmark Prepares for US Move on Greenland?

• Denmark reportedly prepared defensive measures in Greenland in response to contingency fears over US intentions, showcasing rare intra-NATO mistrust.
  • “Truly an extraordinary moment to think that a NATO country is preparing defensive measures against the United States.” – Garana Gurdic (26:08)

5. Global Snapshots

Norway: Royal Scandal and Oil Windfalls

• Coverage of the trial involving the Norwegian Crown Princess’s son, bringing national debate on consent and sexual violence.
• The ongoing war-induced energy price spike benefits Norway’s state revenues due to its oil/gas exports, but longer-term economic effects could be less beneficial.
  • “A $10 increase in the price of oil can increase Norway’s state annual revenue by about €10 billion...” – Lars Bavanger (51:41)

Finland: World’s Happiest Country (Again)

• Finland earns the “happiest country” title for a record ninth year, based on life satisfaction, welfare, and low corruption—despite not always being outwardly cheerful.
  • "If you look at it through the prism of life satisfaction... most Finns are quite satisfied with their lives." – Petri Bourzoff (54:21)
• Lessons in life satisfaction, social safety nets, and work-life balance.

Slovenia: Polarized Elections

• Right-wing and center-left parties vie for power, with corruption scandals and foreign interference dominating the campaign.
  • “This is probably the most brutal campaign ever because we have been faced with interference of the para security from other countries and hate speech, insults and misinformation...” – Urska Klakochar Zupancic (36:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let Trump speak. Chime in when you can, but take a step back and just nod along if you can.” – H.J. Mai (07:48)
• “They identified very early on that that’s what you have to do... sucking up to Donald Trump, something shocking.” – Richard Lloyd Parry (09:37)
• “People... don’t like Donald Trump here... they accept that he is a fact of life, and the best thing that their politicians can do is to handle him...” – Richard Lloyd Parry (11:38)
• “Never before had he seen such outright disloyalty, and that it undermined the unity that the whole European Union project was built upon.” – Nina Dos Santos, quoting the German Chancellor (16:39)
• “Energy prices have surged across the world after the attacks on gas and oil plants in the Gulf. The cost of gas in Europe is now more than double...” – Emma Nelson (30:10)
• “In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, farmers have found a unique way to tackle the monkey menace... dressing up as bears.” – H.J. Mai (43:53), in Andrew Muller’s “What We Learned” segment.
• “Some of these things can be copied, but a lot cannot... the work-life balance, those are decisions that we as humans and societies make.” – Petri Bourzoff (58:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• US pressing Japan over Iran, Trump-Takaichi White House meeting: 01:14–12:23
• EU summit on Ukraine/hungary, Energy crisis: 12:23–18:37
• Security correspondents on Gulf, war logistics, Greenland report: 19:42–29:00
• Slovenia elections report: 32:11–37:47
• Andrew Muller’s “What We Learned”: 38:06–44:53
• Norway news, royal trial, oil profits: 45:39–52:30
• Finland, happiness survey: 53:05–59:05

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Monocle’s trademark blend of insightful yet conversational analysis, with lively banter, wry observations, and balanced international perspectives. The interactions between correspondents provide context in a tone that is both serious about world affairs and ready to acknowledge the quirks of global politics.

Conclusion

This episode of The Globalist captures a moment of global pressure points: rising US demands on allies over Iran, Europe’s internal splits over Ukraine and energy, the knock-on economic and political shocks worldwide, and glimpses of societal resilience. The show offers both granular diplomatic insight and broader questions—about adapting alliances, the cost of war, and what real stability looks like in a turbulent world.