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Affairs / Podcast

The Foreign Desk

​Presented by ​Andrew Mueller, Monocle 24’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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Moldova: Putin’s next target?:

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, there has been concern that Moldova might also be in Moscow’s sights. How threatened is Moldova and how can Europe help to protect it? Andrew Mueller speaks to Paula Erizanu, Valeriu Pasha, Alexandru Flenchea and General Sir Richard Shirreff.

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45013 Aug 2022
30 min

Moldova: Putin’s next target?: 

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, there has been concern that Moldova might also be in Moscow’s sights. How threatened is Moldova and how can Europe help to protect it? Andrew Mueller speaks to Paula Erizanu, Valeriu Pasha, Alexandru Flenchea and General Sir Richard Shirreff.

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★10 Aug 2022
6 min

Explainer 328: Gaza: 

Last week Israel launched air strikes on targets in Gaza. Andrew Mueller explains what makes this event different from the usual warfare with Palestine.

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4496 Aug 2022
30 min

The trouble with Taiwan: 

Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan trip was met with fury in Beijing, raising fears of a potential clash between the US and China. Was Pelosi’s visit a good idea? Can any lessons be drawn from Lithuania’s David-and-Goliath clash with China? Where do we go from here? Monocle’s Andrew Mueller speaks to Samson Ellis, Lithuania’s minister of foreign affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis and Bonnie Glaser.

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★3 Aug 2022
8 min

Explainer 327: Why is Serbia irate over licence plates? : 

Kosovo intends to implement a policy that requires drivers in the country to use Kosovan licence plates but Serbia isn’t happy. Andrew Mueller explains what this is really about.

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44830 Jul 2022
30 min

The art of not taking sides: 

While much of the west is united against Russia’s war in Ukraine, other countries have avoided taking sides. What does it really mean to be neutral and is non-alignment still possible in today’s connected world? To examine the cases of South Africa, Switzerland, Japan and Sweden, Andrew Mueller speaks to Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Benno Zogg, Pälvi Pulli, Tomohiko Taniguchi and Elisabeth Braw.

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★27 Jul 2022
7 min

Explainer 326: David Trimble: 

Former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party David Trimble has died at the age of 77. Andrew Mueller explains how he helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland in 1998.

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44723 Jul 2022
30 min

Ukraine: how to combat war fatigue: 

Five months after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, the Monocle 24 team is back on the ground to update us on the conflict. Are Ukrainians afraid of dropping out of the news cycle in allied countries? How do you prevent that from happening and why is it important to keep the war on the front pages? Andrew Mueller speaks to Martin Bell, Olga Tokariuk, Carlota Rebelo and Chris Cermak.

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★20 Jul 2022
6 min

Explainer 325: A mix-up in Mali?: 

Earlier this week, Mali arrested 49 soldiers from the Côte d’Ivoire who had arrived in the country as part of an ongoing UN mission. Andrew Mueller explains if this was a moment of confusion, or defiance.

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44616 Jul 2022
30 min

Sri Lanka on a knife edge: 

Sri Lanka has plunged into political chaos in the face of financial meltdown. As the crisis rages on, the future of the country's 22 million people is uncertain. How did we get here and what happens next? Andrew Mueller speaks to Tanya Warnakulasuriya, Shanta Devarajan, Charu Lata Hogg and Bhavani Fonseka.

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★13 Jul 2022
7 min

Explainer 324: Turning off the taps: 

Russia’s gas supply to Europe has been halted due to what Russia says are annual maintenance works and technical issues. Andrew Mueller offers an alternative explanation.

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4459 Jul 2022
30 min

Boris Johnson resigns – what next?: 

After weeks of clinging on, Boris Johnson has at last agreed to step down as UK prime minister. What legacy does he leave behind? What challenges will his successor face? How have Ukrainians reacted? Andrew Mueller speaks to Tobias Ellwood, Lance Price, Vincent McAviney and Aliona Hlivco.

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★6 Jul 2022
6 min

Explainer 323: A troubled bill: 

Andrew Mueller explains the proposed Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.

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4442 Jul 2022
30 min

NATO: brain-dead no more?: 

In this special episode, the team travels to Madrid for Nato’s most important summit in generations. How much stronger has Russia made the alliance, if only by accident? Andrew Mueller speaks to Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis; the head of policy planning in the office of the secretary general at Nato, Benedetta Berti-Alberti; and Slovenia’s minister of foreign affairs, Tanja Fajon.

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★29 Jun 2022
6 min

Explainer 322: The capriciousness of the Supreme Court: 

Roe vs Wade was just the beginning. Now the current US Supreme Court appears to be overturning a whole host of previous rulings. Andrew Mueller explains how two different Supreme Courts can read the same constitutional text and get two different answers.

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44325 Jun 2022
30 min

Mark Esper: 

Andrew Mueller sits down with former US secretary of defence Mark Esper to discuss his tumultuous tenure in the Trump administration, the ongoing Capitol Hill committee hearings, and how he thinks other Western militaries ought to respond to current challenges.

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