The Foreign Desk
Explainer 112: Armenia protests: what they want and when they want it
15
15
00:00 / 00:00
/
25 April 2018
04 minutes
Photo: Shutterstock
After almost two weeks of protests, Armenia’s most powerful politician has stepped down as prime minister after only five days in the job. But, as Andrew Mueller explains, the transition – so far, at least – seems more peaceful than might have been expected.
25 April 2018
Share episode
DownloadWant more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
The Foreign Desk - latest episodes
Explainer 299: What does Russia want with Ukraine?
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine tighten, Andrew Mueller reflects on their fickle friendship and speculates on what Putin really wants from the situation.
When currencies collapse
Turkey, once an economic powerhouse, is experiencing a currency meltdown as inflation skyrockets against a backdrop of unorthodox policies. What can we learn from past currency crises? How do people get around hyperinfla…
Explainer 298: Will Sudan settle?
UN-sponsored talks are taking place in Sudan after more than 60 people died demonstrating against the most recent coup-d’etat in October. Andrew Mueller explains how far back the unrest extends and ponders whether a reso…
Is the doctrine of nuclear deterrence still relevant?
In a rare joint statement issued on Monday, five of the world’s most powerful nations pledged to avoid nuclear war. In this episode of ‘The Foreign Desk’, we examine the doctrine of nuclear deterrence. Does possessing a…
Capitol riots: one year later
One year ago on 6 January, a violent mob forced its way past lines of police officers and into the US Capitol building in Washington. As investigators continue to examine exactly what happened that day, many questions…
Looking back at 2021 and forward to 2022
We look back on the big events of the past 12 months and peer ahead to 2022. Andrew Mueller speaks to Quentin Peel, Latika Bourke and Lewis Lukens.
War and peas: the role of food in diplomacy
As millions of families tuck into their Christmas turkey and load up their plates with leftovers from the festive season, we examine the role of food in global politics. What is culinary diplomacy? Is the kitchen really the…
Pandas, pangolins, and koalas: can animals be diplomats?
Exotic animals have long been used as unlikely but effective furry ambassadors to further a country’s international influence. Whether it’s China strategically loaning giant pandas as a gesture of goodwill, Australia fla…
Merry Christmas, war is over?
Almost 80 years since North Korea signed an armistice deal, South Korea’s president, Moon Jae-In, has announced that talks are in progress officially to end the war between the two states once and for all. Andrew Mueller…
Is Bosnia on the brink of breaking up?
Will Bosnia break apart? Andrew Mueller speaks to Guy De Launey and Irma Baralija, as well as ambassadors Vanja Filipovic and Bruce Berton.
Nordic Council of Ministers series, part ten: Decarbonising industry
The decarbonisation of industry is perhaps the greatest challenge we face in the race to achieve carbon neutrality. Think of it as the invisible stuff, the ugly stuff and the boring stuff we’d probably rather not think…
Sportswashing: what is it and does it work?
As the inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix kicks off in Jeddah, allegations of sportswashing have resurfaced relating to the country’s poor human rights record. What is sportswashing? What does it look like? And does it…
Queen’s gambit: The future of Elizabeth II’s states
Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state after 55 years living independently from the UK. The divorce was amicable among all parties and opens the door for more member states to do the same…
El Salvador bets on Bitcoin; what could go wrong?
Wearing a backwards baseball cap, El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele unveiled plans to build “Bitcoin City” at the base of a volcano and adopt cryptocurrency as legal tender. While supporters have hailed the president’s…
Nordic Council of Ministers series, part nine: Preparedness
People in the Nordics often joke about global warming bringing better weather to a region not overly blessed with sun and warmth but, of course, climate change is already having a negative impact – and it’s probably going…
