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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. Winner in the ‘best current affairs’ category of the 2018 British Podcast awards.

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Latest episode

The geopolitical consequences of Covid-19:

As the US abandons its role as global leader, which countries are seeing an opportunity to fill the vacuum? In this episode Monocle’s editor in chief Tyler Brûlé talks to Nader Mousavizadeh, co-founder and co-CEO of Macro Advisory Partners to take a global look at the pandemic and how it's reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

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★8 Apr 2020
6 min

Explainer 210: Why is the US threatening to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty?: 

As the US threatens to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, Andrew Mueller asks whether it’s yet another victim of Trump’s aversion to international cooperation or if there’s more at play.

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3264 Apr 2020
30 min

The geopolitical consequences of Covid-19: 

As the US abandons its role as global leader, which countries are seeing an opportunity to fill the vacuum? In this episode Monocle’s editor in chief Tyler Brûlé talks to Nader Mousavizadeh, co-founder and co-CEO of Macro Advisory Partners to take a global look at the pandemic and how it's reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

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★1 Apr 2020
7 min

Explainer 209: Viktor Orbán’s power grab: 

Coronavirus was always likely to provide cover for budding authoritarians wishing to shore up their positions. Is Hungarian democracy another victim of the outbreak?

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32528 Mar 2020
30 min

A century of multilateralism: 

If we date modern multilateralism from the founding of the League of Nations, it is an idea which celebrates its hundredth birthday this year. As the world attempts to tackle a global crisis, what have our multilateral institutions learned? Andrew Mueller is joined by Sarah Cliffe, Edward Girardet and John Everard.

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★25 Mar 2020
7 min

Explainer 208: Abkhazia chooses a president... again: 

Andrew Mueller discusses an unusual election in the post-Soviet breakaway state of Abkhazia.

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32421 Mar 2020
30 min

The Covid-19 recession: 

The Covid-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health emergency but it is also an economic crisis. Economist Vicky Pryce and finance analyst Louise Cooper measure the potential recession and discuss possible solutions, while former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd outlines how to lead a country through an economic shock.

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20718 Mar 2020
5 min

Explainer 207: What are Kenya and Somalia really fighting about?: 

The militaries of Kenya and Somalia have been clashing back and forth across the border between the two countries. But is the real reason for the dispute off the coast they share?

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32314 Mar 2020
30 min

Saudi Arabia: the struggle for power: 

Even by Saudi Arabia’s own Shakespearean standards of palace intrigue, this past week has been extraordinary. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has arrested at least two of his royal relatives, along with other officials and military officers. Are these just the latest steps in MBS’s procession towards the throne, or is something else going on? And if MBS does become king, what kind of king will he be?

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★11 Mar 2020
6 min

Explainer 206: Why are oil prices dropping?: 

Andrew Mueller explains why Russia is waging an oil war with Saudi Arabia.

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3227 Mar 2020
30 min

Has the US learnt anything from its longest war? : 

Nearly 19 years after invading Afghanistan, the US has agreed a peace deal with the Taliban. But is that really going to be an end to it? And will the US ever try anything similar again? Andrew Mueller is joined by Belquis Ahmadi and David Kilcullen.

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★4 Mar 2020
7 min

Explainer 205: Israel: third time lucky?: 

Last weekend Israelis went to the polls for the third time in less than a year. Andrew Mueller looks at Benjamin Netanyahu’s chances of staying in office – and out of prison.

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32129 Feb 2020
30 min

Covid-19: how, why and what next?: 

Worldwide responses to Covid-19 have been robust: flight suspensions, travel restrictions and quarantines. There has already been a severe economic impact. The political impacts will take longer to become apparent. How are different governments responding? What have we learnt about what works and what doesn’t? How wary should we be of overreaction? Andrew Mueller is joined by Steve Tsang, Dr Chris Smith, Dr Sally Leivesley and Raffaello Pantucci.

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★26 Feb 2020
7 min

Explainer 204: Why did Malaysia’s prime minister pretend to quit?: 

This week, Malaysia’s prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, resigned at age 94 – and then took it back. Andrew Mueller looks into what might lie behind Mohamad’s apparent change of heart.

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32022 Feb 2020
30 min

Syria: who wants what?: 

A nine-year civil war has brought immense suffering upon the Syrian people. But this has never been only a Syrian conflict. Aside from the fighting between Syria’s government and Syrian rebel groups, the war has drawn in Russia, Turkey, Iran and the US, among others. Earlier this week, Turkey and Russia failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Idlib. What are all the regional players fighting for? And is there any real chance of any of them getting it?

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★19 Feb 2020
6 min

Explainer 203: Could Russia go to war with Belarus?: 

As Russia puts more pressure on Belarus, might tension between the two neighbours result in conflict?

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