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

Donald Trump prepares to meet with Gulf leaders in New York, Russians head to the polls and the Asian Games begin in Japan. Plus: London Fashion Week and what happens to cultural institutions when national leadership changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe’s military leaders gather in Prague to talk defence and co-operation. And: We go behind the scenes of the UN secretary-general race. Plus: A recap of the Arab Media Summit, aviation news and What We Learned this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada’s prime minister speaks to the European Parliament and the former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, is jailed for war crimes. Plus: Jaguar Land Rover plans to sell its Defender to Nato and Zürich Design Week begins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.