A US-Russia prisoner swap secures the release of US basketball player Brittney Griner – Mark Galeotti has the details. Then Yossi Mekelberg and Terry Stiastny join Andrew Mueller to discuss China’s push for influence in the Middle East, UK public services in crisis, top soft-power nations and worst excuses when pulling a sickie. Also: On This Day in 1974, Greece voted to abolish its monarchy.

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