A pivotal week for UK diplomacy, US midterms and Italy’s electoral reform

The UK flexes its diplomatic muscles as Nato chief Mark Rutte arrives in London. Then: We take the temperature of the US midterms and Italy’s electoral reform. Plus: Nordic news, Paris Design Week and the Arab Media Summit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden continues to count the votes of a tightly contested election in which its liberal traditions are being tested. Then: The latest news from the air and sea. Plus: What Okinawa’s new governor means for Japan's defence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden goes to the polls while New Delhi hosts Brics leaders for a high-profile summit. Then: Art Week in Syria and Berlin, the Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar and a Canadian cartographer on the business of naming things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden heads to the polls this weekend. Its centre-right prime minister vows to bring the far right into government but a left-wing coalition has other ideas. Then: why Algeria has cut ties with the UAE and why Brazilian funk is having a K-pop moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare mid-term convention puts Dallas – and Donald Trump – into the spotlight. Then: on the ground in Ukraine with Aliona Hlivco and photographer Mark Neville. Plus: life in Ceuta one month after the migrant crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poland has signed a defence co-operation deal with Canada as it hosts the largest Eastern European defence fair this week. Plus: How to organise a state funeral in Norway and why Soviet-era music is making a comeback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore the new trilateral defence drills and the extent of the US involvement. Plus: Undersea drone wars with Verineia Codrean of Euroatlas; the mayors of Lisbon and Maputo; and a look at Biennale Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US ambassador Mike Huckabee visits the West Bank as settler violence worsens. Then: the EU makes a deal with Greenland, the global view of the end of summer and the Venice film festival continues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Germany’s regional elections pose one of the greatest threats to Freidrich Merz and Germany’s political firewall against the AfD. Plus: why are some Asian airlines able to absorb the new cost of flying?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Xi is visiting Egypt for the first time in a decade. Why does Cairo matter to Beijing and what does the visit tell us about Egypt’s ability to balance its relationships with China, the US and its regional partners?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.