Affairs / Podcast

The Foreign Desk

Presented by Andrew Mueller, Monocle’s flagship global-affairs show features expert guests and in-depth analysis of the big issues of the week. Nominated for ‘Best Current Affairs’ show and the ‘Spotlight Award’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

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Latest episode

Explainer 385: Saudi Arabia and Israel:

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both signalled a strong desire to normalise relations between their countries. Andrew Mueller explains why this would be consequential and the hurdles both parties face.

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Latest episodes

Episode	Date	Description	Download	Play
★	27 Sep 2023 8 min	Explainer 385: Saudi Arabia and Israel: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both signalled a strong desire to normalise relations between their countries. Andrew Mueller explains why this would be consequential and the hurdles both parties face.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
508	23 Sep 2023 42 min	In the Room: Falklands War: In the final episode of our special ‘In the Room’ series, we look back at the 10-week Falklands War between Argentina and the UK in 1982. Andrew Mueller speaks to Michael Heseltine, former deputy prime minister of the UK, David Omand, former director of the British government communications headquarters, and Admiral Lord Alan West, former commander of the ‘HMS Ardent’.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
★	20 Sep 2023 6 min	Explainer 384: Eritrean cultural festivals: Expat Eritreans around the world have been protesting against Eritrean cultural festivals held in their cities. Andrew Mueller explains why the events’ links to the country’s incumbent president, Isaias Afwerki, have incensed those who have left their homeland.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
507	16 Sep 2023 36 min	In the Room: Secret talks with Nelson Mandela: In part two of our ‘In the Room’ series, we speak to the key players involved in the secret talks that led to Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Andrew Mueller speaks to Niël Barnard, the former head of South Africa’s National Intelligence Service, who conducted clandestine talks with Mandela, Willie Esterhuyse, an Afrikaner academic who liaised between the ANC and the government, and Greg Myre, a journalist who witnessed Mandela’s release.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
★	13 Sep 2023 6 min	Explainer 383: Sikhs vs Modi vs Trudeau: Andrew Mueller explains how protests by the Sikh diaspora of Canada led to a frosty reception for the country’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, at the G20 summit in India.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
506	9 Sep 2023 58 min	In the Room: September 11 attacks: In part one of our special ‘In the Room’ series, we look back on the chilling moments that followed the September 11 terror attacks, meeting top aides who were rushed onto Air Force One with US president George W Bush, a Secret Service agent tasked with protecting first lady Laura Bush and a staffer who was evacuated from the White House.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
★	6 Sep 2023 6 min	Explainer 382: Friends like these: Andrew Mueller explains the growing relationship between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, and the potential implications that it may have for Russia.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
505	2 Sep 2023 32 min	The future of Syria: A wave of protests across government-controlled areas of Syria gathered momentum this week, with demonstrators demanding regime change. Is a future without Bashar al-Assad still possible for Syria? Andrew Mueller speaks to Leila Molana-Allen, Firas Maksad, Lina Khatib, and William Patey.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
★	30 Aug 2023 7 min	Explainer 381: Resurgence of the Islamic State: Andrew Mueller explains how a once-diminished Islamic State is re-emerging across Africa.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
504	26 Aug 2023 36 min	With Cod on Our Side: The global fishing industry has found itself at the heart of major debates and conflicts. In this special episode we explore the curious power of fish in politics. What makes these aquatic animals so politically sensitive? Are there really plenty more fish in the sea? Andrew Mueller speaks to Tomohiko Taniguchi, Sebastian Whale, Katharine Hayhoe and Árni Matthias Mathiesen.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
★	23 Aug 2023 7 min	Explainer 380: Guatemala’s new president: Guatemala has elected a new president, bringing hope to the country. But with five months to go until his inauguration, it remains to be seen how smooth the transfer of power will be. Andrew Mueller explains who Bernardo Arevalo is and what kind of president he might be.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
503	19 Aug 2023 40 min	Zimbabwe’s high-stakes election: Zimbabweans will head to the polls next week to elect their country’s leader amid economic turmoil and vote-rigging fears. What is at stake? Andrew Mueller speaks to Hopewell Chin’ono, Fadzayi Mahere, Robert Chapman and Georgina Godwin.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
★	16 Aug 2023 7 min	Explainer 379: Who is Javier Milei?: Rock’n’roll singer, tantric sex coach and now, presidential candidate in Argentina. Andrew Mueller explains who Javier Milei is, his politics and if he has a chance of winning the election.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
502	12 Aug 2023 30 min	Europe swings east: The war in Ukraine has shifted Europe’s centre of gravity eastward. As Poland and Ukraine rapidly expand their militaries, the two countries have positioned themselves as vanguards of Western defence. Is a new balance of power being shaped? And will this spell trouble for traditional powerbrokers Germany and France? Andrew Mueller speaks to Radosław Sikorksi, Lili Bayer and Steven Erlanger.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play
★	9 Aug 2023 8 min	Explainer 378: Two wrongs make a popular president: El Salvador has been cracking down on gang criminals after years of widespread fear. Andrew Mueller explains how president Bukele’s barbaric methods have led to positive stats in both crime figures and leadership polls.	Download Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Share via email	Play

Affairs / Podcast

The Foreign Desk

Latest episode

Latest episodes

Explainer 385: Saudi Arabia and Israel:

In the Room: Falklands War:

Explainer 384: Eritrean cultural festivals:

In the Room: Secret talks with Nelson Mandela:

Explainer 383: Sikhs vs Modi vs Trudeau:

In the Room: September 11 attacks:

Explainer 382: Friends like these:

The future of Syria:

Explainer 381: Resurgence of the Islamic State:

With Cod on Our Side:

Explainer 380: Guatemala’s new president:

Zimbabwe’s high-stakes election:

Explainer 379: Who is Javier Milei?:

Europe swings east:

Explainer 378: Two wrongs make a popular president: