Xi in Cairo and Egypt’s strategic balancing act

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.

We look at Niger to understand Moscow’s continuing military role in the region. Plus: Hagen’s CEO Tim Schroeder on Danish coffee culture, the art of cartography and Monocle’s Quality of Life Conference in Lisbon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the Middle East returning to war? We examine renewed US-Iran hostilities, the Gulf response and whether there is still a path back to negotiations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwan and Australia battle China for primacy at the Pacific Islands Forum. Plus: Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths on how a key aviation hub has managed to keep flying through conflict and remain confident in its long-term plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are relations really deteriorating between the two countries or are they simply returning to old patterns? We analyse the situation in Europe’s southeast and look at what is driving the hostility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Iceland get closer to the EU? We analyse what’s at stake in Saturday’s referendum and what it means for sovereignty and security in the North Atlantic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.