Tensions ramp up between the US and Venezuela. Plus: How much sway does the Pope have in the Middle East?

As the world reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s first trip to Turkey and Lebanon, Andrew Mueller and Juliet Linley give us their two cents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bipartisan resolution to block US military action against Venezuela without congressional approval and calls for an investigation into self-proclaimed “secretary of war” Pete Hegseth roil US Congress. Then: the latest from presidents Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron’s meeting. And: will an afternoon tipple boost Thai tourism?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nato foreign ministers meet in Brussels following a US-Russia summit in Moscow. Then: we look ahead to Australia’s teen social-media ban. Plus: the campaign to bring back doors in hotel-room bathrooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Washington's delegation arrives in Moscow, we discuss how close we are to peace in Ukraine. Then: India begins testing long-range missiles – why is China so interested? Plus: Denmark prepares to cancel Christmas cards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest as Trump ramps up pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuela. Then: as Pope Leo continues his tour of the Middle East, we discuss how much sway he has in the region. Plus: Switzerland rejects a wealth tax on the super-rich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the UN’s new report on megacities, Louvre’s price rise for non-EU nationals and Brazil’s telenovelas expansion. Plus: Mina al-Oraibi, editor in chief of The National.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guests Elisabeth Braw and Nina dos Santos unpack Emmanuel Macron’s decision to relaunch a limited military service in France. Plus: Pope Leo’s first overseas trip and how the housing crisis relates to a rise in populism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington continues to take the lead on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, where is Europe in all of this? Then: Trump asks his loyal supporter and Paramount Skydance’s largest shareholder, Larry Ellison, to revive ‘Rush Hour’. Plus: Sweden encourages its visitors to be bored.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest on the Ukraine peace deal, as Washington scrambles to meet Moscow’s delegates in Abu Dhabi. Then: We unpack whether it's possible for Iran to have a soft-power makeover. Plus: Should airlines enforce dress codes?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US and Ukrainian delegations meet in Geneva to talk peace; Israel targets Hezbollah’s chief of staff; the G20 wraps up; and Saudi Arabia quietly allows alcohol sales for expats. Plus: Julia Ioffe on her new book, ‘Motherland’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.