The Monocle Daily – December 11, 2025

Main Theme:
Today's episode, hosted by Andrew Muller, delves into U.S. actions near Venezuela and debates over elections in wartime, along with analysis on U.S. visitor policies, Time magazine's Person of the Year, and an interview from the international luxury travel market. Guests Julie Norman (UCL Associate Professor) and Jonathan Fenby (author and journalist) join for in-depth discussion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Seizure of Oil Tanker Near Venezuela

Timestamps: 03:06–11:07

• U.S. special forces boarded and seized the oil tanker "Skipper" off Venezuela. The dramatic action was publicized by the Department of Homeland Security, even using LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out" as a soundtrack.
• The ship allegedly supported illicit oil shipping networks funding terror groups, but Venezuela's President Maduro decried the operation as "piracy".
• Julie Norman:
  • Sees this as a bold escalation beyond previous U.S. actions, crossing "a different type of line" (04:08).
  • Places it in the context of an 80-operation campaign in the Caribbean, calling it “a show of muscle” by Trump, reflecting a modern “Monroe Doctrine” ambition.
  • “It’s definitely crossing a different type of line and it’s certainly within a bigger picture of increasing pressure on Maduro and on Venezuela.” (04:48)
• Jonathan Fenby:
  • Stresses the incoherence: “Why were the earlier boats blown up and everybody killed… if you can seize a tanker?” (05:15).
  • Suggests Trump is seeking spectacle—“He’s always got to be the biggest”—but questions lack of consistent logic. (05:45)
• Both panelists point to the geopolitical tussle over Venezuelan oil, noting that ~80% is sold to China and that the U.S. seeks to assert dominance in the region.
• On Maduro’s Narrative:
  • Fenby largely dismisses Maduro’s claim that the U.S. wants to steal Venezuelan oil: “Maduro is clearly a very bad character who should be got rid of… Trump has found his ideal opponent in this, you know, it’s a good boxing match for him, or he thinks it is.” (08:01)
• Domestic U.S. politics: Norman notes increasing internal criticism—even among Trump’s allies—and warns of intervention fatigue (08:58).
  • “I think there’s going to be a tipping point that they might step over almost accidentally and get in a little bit too deep, even for their own supporters.” (10:48)
• Both agree: No real appetite in the U.S., or among its allies, for regime change or ground operations.

2. U.S. Demands for Visitors’ Social Media and Contacts

Timestamps: 11:07–17:54

• New U.S. proposals may require all foreign visitors to provide social media posts, email addresses, and phone numbers from the last five years.
• Julie Norman:
  • Initially laughs off the idea as impractical if it involves only public profiles, but finds the move chilling for its potential to suppress dissent and create a barrier for critical voices.
  • “Some of it I think is just a bit of a scare tactic rather than… actually having civil servants sitting there reading through people’s socials.” (12:18)
• Jonathan Fenby:
  • Points out the deterrent effect: “I was wondering today… if I would willingly take a plane across the Atlantic.” (13:31)
• On requiring all contacts: Both agree it’s unworkable and possibly designed to discourage journalists/international engagement.
• Implications for major upcoming U.S. events (World Cup, Olympics): Potential to hobble tourism and damage reputation.
• Norman:
  • “You’re gonna just completely turn off many people who would be wanting to come to the U.S. for these events as well as for the normal things people come for.” (15:01)
• Neither believes most Americans are particularly aware or concerned about these policies, given their wider preoccupations with domestic issues (17:00).

3. Should Wartime Countries Hold Elections? (Ukraine Example)

Timestamps: 17:54–21:36

• Critics of President Zelenskyy (Ukraine) have noted his extension beyond his constitutional term, but elections have been suspended under martial law.
• Norman:
  • Sees Zelenskyy’s recent statement (that elections could occur if the West guarantees security) as a strategic challenge to allies: “This is a very smart move… give us those security guarantees.” (18:44)
• Fenby:
  • Dismisses idea of holding elections amidst war: “It is completely ridiculous, ludicrous. The idea… could only serve Putin’s purposes.” (19:17)
• Norman:
  • Notes Zelenskyy remains popular and is seen as key to any palatable endgame: “He knows he needs to signal to the US, to Europe, that he’s open to this. But in reality, logistically, everyone knows it’d be very difficult.” (20:33)
• No Western country likely to supply peacekeepers or security; the question is largely rhetorical.

4. Time Magazine’s 2025 “Person of the Year”: AI Architects

Timestamps: 21:36–27:59

• Time has chosen not a single individual, but a collective—Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, et al.—for their work in AI.
• Both panelists perceive this as a “cop out,” but somewhat justified given the diffuse, collective nature of AI innovation.
• Norman:
  • Appreciates that Time didn’t elevate just one problematic tech titan, but rather showcased the breadth of actors. (22:52)
• On the impact of AI in their fields:
  • Fenby: “I still see it as a mechanism rather than as an initiator.” (24:19) Skeptical of its creative capacity.
  • Norman: Students are using AI all the time; faculty are learning to prompt critical evaluation: “The writing process is the thinking process.” (26:02)
  • Both agree: Despite rapid progress, current AI outputs lack “humanity,” humor, and a distinctive voice. (27:35)
• Quote:
  • Fenby: “There is a uniformity, as I say, a lack of humanity.” (27:52)
  • Norman: “It’s smoother, but it kind of lacks… the thing that lets me know what the person’s character is.” (27:59)

5. Luxury Travel Trends: Interview with Rosewood's COO Anthony Ingham

Timestamps: 28:21–34:53

• Rosewood’s new hotel openings: first ski resort in Courchevel, wellbeing resort in the Red Sea (Saudi Arabia), and a Greek hotel that draws on local agricultural traditions.
• Emphasis on authentic local experiences, community integration, and disconnecting from technology.
• Quote (Anthony Ingham):
  • “Three days skiing is like a week's holiday on a beach for me because my brain is occupied trying to avoid hitting a tree...but it's really disconnecting, it's a beautiful experience.” (28:51)
  • On connecting guests: “The most beautiful things are often the simplest. In a crazy, busy world… connecting people to those simple, beautiful things is actually really powerful.” (32:36)
• Luxury travel balancing technology with meaningful, place-based experiences.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Norman on U.S. interventionism:
  • “This still seems quite out of bounds from the usual way of doing things... it’s not typical for another country to go in and do something like this.” (04:08)
• Fenby on Trump’s style:
  • “He’s always got to be biggest. He’s always going to be superlative.” (05:15)
• Norman on public awareness in the U.S.:
  • “I wish I could say yes, but I really don’t think so... I don’t think people are that focused on this.” (17:00)
• Zelenskyy’s dilemma (via Norman):
  • “He kind of needs to see things through… if there’s going to be a way out of this and a resolution that is palatable, he is still the one that people probably trust the most.” (21:10)
• On AI (Fenby):
  • “I still see it as a mechanism rather than as an initiator.” (24:19)
• On loss of human voice (Norman):
  • “Let me hear your voice in your essays.” (27:35)

Episode Flow & Utility

• Sharp, dry wit from Andrew Muller.
• Analytical, measured contributions from Julie Norman and Jonathan Fenby.
• Moves fluidly from international hard news (Venezuela, Ukraine) to sociopolitical analysis (U.S. border policy, AI), and ends on a cultural note (luxury travel trends).
• Offers both broad context and specific, up-to-date insights for listeners who may not have followed all the relevant news.

For further clarity and fact-checking, listeners may wish to jump to the sections using the timestamps provided.