US Congress roiled by Venezuelan strikes and the latest from the Xi-Macron meeting

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.