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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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Latest episode

Climate change: could militaries save the world?:

Climate change is not merely an environmental problem; it’s also a threat to security and stability, and a possible cause of conflict. Could it therefore be the case that climate security and national security are the same thing? Andrew Mueller speaks to the deputy prime minister of Luxembourg, François Bausch, Pauline Baudu and General Tom Middendorp.

Latest episodes

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48118 Mar 2023
30 min

Climate change: could militaries save the world?: 

Climate change is not merely an environmental problem; it’s also a threat to security and stability, and a possible cause of conflict. Could it therefore be the case that climate security and national security are the same thing? Andrew Mueller speaks to the deputy prime minister of Luxembourg, François Bausch, Pauline Baudu and General Tom Middendorp.

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15 Mar 2023
8 min

Explainer 357: The awkward truth about Aukus: 

The US, UK and Australia have announced details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Andrew Mueller explains how we got here.

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48011 Mar 2023
30 min

‘We told you so’: 

As Russia’s attacks on Ukraine rage on, Baltic and Balkan countries are feeling vindicated in their warnings about Putin’s intentions. For years, the regions have warned about the immediate dangers posed by Russia and now the west appears to be listening. In this special episode, Andrew Mueller speaks to the prime ministers of Lithuania and Kosovo, the president of Slovenia, the former president of Estonia and the former deputy prime minister of Latvia.

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8 Mar 2023
6 min

Explainer 356: Who is Kemal Kilicdaroglu? : 

An opposition candidate has been selected for the upcoming Turkish presidential election. Andrew Mueller explains who he is and how he differs from President Erdogan. 

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4794 Mar 2023
30 min

Finland and Sweden: in NATO’s waiting room: 

It’s been more than a year since Finland and Sweden submitted their applications to become NATO’s 31st and 32nd members. While the two Nordic neighbours remain on the cusp of joining the alliance, Turkey and Hungary have yet to give them the green light. How long will this take? And will both nations be able to join the alliance hand-in-hand? Andrew Mueller speaks to Sweden’s minister for foreign affairs, Tobias Billström; Finland’s minister for foreign affairs, Pekka Haavisto; Norway’s minister for foreign affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt; and the former prime minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb.

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1 Mar 2023
7 min

Explainer 355: Ron DeSantis vs Disney World: 

Over the past year, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has been removing self-governing rights from Disney World and imposing government oversight on the parks. Andrew Mueller explains why.

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47825 Feb 2023
30 min

Munich Security Conference special edition: 

In this special episode, recorded at the Munich Security Conference, Andrew Mueller sits down with the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, Iceland’s minister for foreign affairs, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, and the president of Open Society Foundations, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown.

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22 Feb 2023
6 min

Explainer 354: Is Moldova Russia’s next target?: 

Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, has warned of a Russian plot to overthrow her government. Andrew Mueller explains why this is possible and how Moldova is trying to keep Moscow at bay.

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47718 Feb 2023
30 min

Nigeria’s election: what is at stake?: 

Next week voters in Africa’s most populous nation will head to the polls to elect a new president. What are the main issues dominating the election and how will it impact the wider region? Andrew Mueller speaks to Aanu Adeoye, Leena Koni Hoffmann and Dipo Faloyin.

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15 Feb 2023
6 min

Explainer 353: Courting autocracy in Israel: 

Andrew Mueller explains Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul Israel’s judicial system, which has led to mass protests.

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47611 Feb 2023
30 min

Will the Adani affair hurt Narendra Modi?: 

As India gears up for its general election next year, anger over the Adani empire led by Gautam Adani, a Modi ally, is growing. Will the Adani affair cast a shadow on the prime minister? Andrew Mueller speaks to Shruti Kapila, Sumit Ganguly and Somnath Batabyal.

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8 Feb 2023
6 min

Explainer 352: Disaster diplomacy: 

On Monday earthquakes devastated Turkey and Syria. Thousands have been killed. Diplomatic offers of assistance have been flooding in from usually hostile neighbours. Andrew Mueller looks to recent history and explains the successes and failures of past disaster diplomacy.

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4754 Feb 2023
30 min

The global ageing crisis: are we ready?: 

Many developed nations face a looming ageing-population crisis. What are governments doing to cope with this global trend that poses major political and economic challenges? Andrew Mueller speaks to Agnès Poirier, James Raymo, Marie Le Conte and Stephanie Hegarty.

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1 Feb 2023
7 min

Explainer 351: Why is Putin key to Nagorno-Karabakh? : 

In 2020, Azerbaijan used military force to take control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenia. Today there are reports of blockades leading to starvation and sickness. Andrew Mueller explains how Vladimir Putin could stop the siege but why he probably won’t.

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47428 Jan 2023
30 min

Lula 3.0: what lies ahead for Brazil?: 

Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva was sworn in as Brazil’s president for the third time in January in a stunning comeback following four years of Bolsonaro’s far-right government. The newly inaugurated president now faces an uphill battle to rebuild his country and reinstate Brazil as a leading player on the world stage. What will Lula’s foreign policy look like? Andrew Mueller speaks to Fernando Augusto Pacheco, Christopher Sabatini, Cecilia Tornaghi and Sarah Shenker.

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