The Monocle Daily

Episode: The Board of Peace gets under way while Iran is on tenterhooks
Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Emma Nelson
Guests: Yossi Meckelburg (Chatham House), Isabel Hilton (China Dialogue)
Special Interview: Donovan Carrillo, Mexican Olympic Figure Skater

Episode Overview

This episode of The Monocle Daily explores several significant global stories, focusing on the launch of Donald Trump’s new “Board of Peace” as a rival to the UN, the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) on charges of misconduct, developments in Venezuela and U.S. influence in Latin America, the challenges of information control and digital freedom, and debates about national identity through the lens of sports. The show is bookended by a lively discussion on food diplomacy and an inspiring conversation with Mexican figure skater Donovan Carrillo.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Food, Banquets, and Diplomacy (00:00–04:30)

• The episode opens with banter about Chinese New Year banquets, regional cuisines, and the role of food in diplomacy.
• Isabel Hilton shares experiences attending multiple banquets for the Year of the Fire Horse, including a lavish meal at the Chinese embassy and an event at The Dorchester.
• Yossi Meckelburg reflects on a Japanese banquet in Hiroshima and the tradition of food as a medium for diplomatic relations.
• Notable Quote:

  “Food played a very important role in diplomacy for many, many years... Many treaties were signed, including in the Congress of Vienna, which knows how the French actually changed the course of negotiation.”
  — Yossi Meckelburg (04:29)

2. The Arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (05:32–09:40)

• News: Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
• Isabel Hilton notes the historic significance, likening it to Charles I and asserting it’s a necessary shock:

  “I don't think we've seen the arrest of a member of the Royal family since Charles I...It's delivered a rather salutary shock to the nation of a rather good kind.”
  (06:16–07:15)

• Discussion on the importance of justice being seen to be done, its implications for the monarchy’s legitimacy, and broader lessons about constitutional accountability.
• Yossi Meckelburg:

  “No one is above the law, even if they belong to the royal family...justice delayed is justice denied.”
  (07:48–09:40)

3. The Board of Peace – Trump’s “UN Rival” (09:40–14:45)

• Emma Nelson summarizes the launch of the Board of Peace, questioning its efficacy and the vague claims of ending eight wars.
• Yossi Meckelburg expresses skepticism about its practical impact and notes Gaza’s unmet reconstruction needs (over $70 billion estimated, only $5 billion pledged per member).

  “Already six months nearly after the ceasefire was agreed, not much has been done… Time goes on and the people in Gaza [are] living in appalling conditions.”
  (10:36–12:30)

• Isabel Hilton highlights the lack of Palestinian representation, unusual membership choices (e.g., Denmark uninvited, Canada disinvited), and potential undermining of the United Nations:

  “You look at this bizarre body where Denmark was not invited... Most of the member states were invited, but declined. No country from sub-Saharan Africa invited. And yet it's kind of...And Canada was uninvited for being rude.”
  (12:46–13:24)

• Concerns about legitimacy, representation, overreach, and the precedence of “diplomacy without diplomats”.

4. Iran on Tenterhooks (14:45–16:27)

• Trump threatens Iran with dire consequences if a nuclear deal is not struck in the next ten days.
• Yossi Meckelburg:

  “He doesn’t leave himself enough diplomatic room to maneuver. If they say no, what are you going to do then?”
  (15:03–16:27)

• Criticism of the transactional, threat-heavy approach:

  “It’s a very immature way to deal with diplomacy.”
  — Yossi Meckelburg (16:27)

5. Venezuela – Regime Change or Management? (17:18–23:30)

• The Qatari Prime Minister visits Caracas, signifying new diplomatic activities amid the U.S.-supported regime transition.
• Isabel Hilton:

  “The new administration has the stamp of approval of Washington, bizarrely given that it's basically the same administration with a different face... it may well be the dog that hasn't barked yet.”
  (17:18–18:30)

• Yossi Meckelburg:

  “What they do is regime management... because they want exactly who they want there in order to control the government in Venezuela. One of the first things that the government is doing is privatizing the oil industry.”
  (19:10–20:12)

• Reflections on U.S. patterns of regime intervention in Latin America, drawing on history: “It’s back, not only to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, but it's the Cold War approach...”
• Discussion extends to U.S.–Cuba relations and the complexities compared to Venezuela.

6. Digital Censorship and ‘Freedom Portal’ (24:24–27:03)

• Reuters reports the U.S. State Department’s new online tool “freedom.gov” to bypass domestic censorship.
• Isabel Hilton:

  “Anyone who does access it from inside China would quickly find their account suspended. It may well work elsewhere, but… this is being targeted at Europe.”
  (24:24–24:58)

• The podcast critiques the American framing of free speech and its export of this model, noting ideological tensions with European democracies’ controls on hate speech and extremism.
• Yossi Meckelburg:

  “Their idea of freedom of speech...burn holy books, insult her and this is completely acceptable...we think differently here and...rightly so.”
  (25:45–27:03)

7. Olympic Identity and Nationality Choices (27:03–30:43)

• The debate over athletes’ nationality, focusing on Eileen Gu (American-born, competes for China) and Alysa Liu (daughter of Chinese dissidents, competes for the U.S.).
• Isabel Hilton:

  “What they have in common is that both Venezuela and Cuba were nationalist revolutions which kicked out the Americans and essentially nationalized the assets.”
  (22:41–23:30) “Who wins this one? Oh, nobody wins this one. It's just playing to the gallery.”
  (28:41–28:43)

• The panel shares their own multiple citizenships and answers which country they would represent at the Olympics.
  • Isabel: Irish (post-Brexit), would play for Ireland.
  • Yossi: British and Israeli, hopes for a future Israeli-Palestinian confederation team.

  “If people choose to represent...come from different heritage...it doesn't undermine the country. But when you enter in this nationalistic discourse, everything is a treason.”
  — Yossi Meckelburg (29:03–29:41)

8. Special Interview: Donovan Carrillo, Mexican Figure Skater (31:13–36:21)

• Carrillo discusses being the only Latin American in Olympic figure skating, representing not just Mexico but the whole continent.

  “I'm very proud to represent not just my country, but the whole continent of America.”
  (31:21)

• On challenges for Latin Americans: lack of infrastructure, potential for growth.
• His inspirations come from Mexican athletes in other sports, and he aims to inspire new generations.
• On figure skating’s appeal:

  “With figure skating, we have also the contrast of artistry and the performance, the musicality and choreography, and that's something that really allows me to express myself and my emotions.”
  (33:27–34:02)

• Carrillo emphasizes bringing Mexican culture into his skating through music and costume, feeling honored to represent his heritage on the world stage.
• Opening ceremony reflections:

  “I moved the flag like, I think no one moved it that fast, and I was so hyped. It was something magical... it's just an Olympic emotion.”
  (35:33–36:16)

Notable Quotes, Speakers, and Timestamps

• “It's delivered a rather salutary shock to the nation of a rather good kind.”
  — Isabel Hilton on the royal arrest (06:16)
• “No one is above the law, even if they belong to the royal family.”
  — Yossi Meckelburg (07:48)
• “You look at this bizarre body where Denmark was not Invited... Most of the member states were invited, but declined.”
  — Isabel Hilton on the Board of Peace (12:46)
• “He doesn’t leave himself enough diplomatic room to maneuver.”
  — Yossi Meckelburg on Trump and Iran (15:03)
• “Their idea of freedom of speech...we think differently here and well, humbly I will say rightly so.”
  — Yossi Meckelburg on the U.S. and Europe (25:45)
• “I would play for Ireland.”
  — Isabel Hilton on national allegiances (30:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Food/Diplomacy Chat: 00:00–05:30
• Arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor: 05:32–09:40
• Board of Peace / Trump’s UN Rival: 09:40–14:45
• Iran Nuclear Tensions: 14:45–16:27
• Venezuela and U.S. Policy: 17:18–23:30
• US Digital Portal & Free Speech: 24:24–27:03
• Athletes & National Identity: 27:03–30:43
• Donovan Carrillo Interview: 31:13–36:21

Memorable Moments

• The sparkling banter on food as a vehicle for diplomacy, and the story about Jacques Chirac’s lamb dinners (05:00).
• A rare note of optimism from Yossi Meckelburg, imagining a joint Israeli-Palestinian Olympic team (30:23–30:34).
• Donovan Carrillo’s exuberance about waving the Mexican flag at the Olympics, capturing the “Olympic emotion.”

This comprehensive episode offers insightful analysis on global politics, the fragility of diplomatic efforts, the interplay of hard and soft power, the persistence of American influence, and the personal meaning of representing one’s nationality on the world stage. The panel’s humor and depth, along with the athlete’s inspiring story, make for a rich listening—and reading—experience.