2 December 2020
06 minutes
Photo: Shutterstock
Andrew Mueller explains why the who, what, how and why of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh’s assassination – and why it depends on who you ask.
2 December 2020
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
Thomas Sankara and pan-Africanism
A landmark trial is taking place in Burkina Faso over the assassination, 34 years ago, of Thomas Sankara, the country’s then-president. Today, Sankara remains something of an icon for his interpretation of the philosophy…
Explainer 288: Trying to Trump the legal system
Earlier this month, Joe Biden allowed the US National Archives to grant access to the first batch of documents requested by the House Committee investigating January’s Capitol riots. Donald Trump has responded with a law…
Muqtada al-Sadr and the future of Iraq
Last week Iraq held a parliamentary election several months early, with Shia cleric and militia commander Muqtada al-Sadr emerging as the winner. What kind of Iraq does al-Sadr want? Andrew Mueller is joined by Sofia Nitti…
Explainer 287: Nordic Council of Ministers series, part six – Sustainable food choices
Many of us want to make more sustainable choices when we shop for food but Nordic governments are going a step further and integrating climate issues into their official dietary suggestions. As the region awaits the new,…
Nearly 10 years of ‘The Foreign Desk’
In this special edition of ‘The Foreign Desk’, Andrew Mueller and the team look back at some highlights of the show’s contribution to Monocle 24’s first decade.
A curveball for Cuba
At least nine Cuban baseball players have defected during a tournament in Mexico. Andrew Mueller reflects on history’s most notable examples.
Coalition politics: the highs and lows
Germany faces months of tough negotiations to form a coalition government following the country’s federal election on Sunday. As the intense process of horse-trading and manifesto-trimming gets underway, we examine the…
Is France back on top?
A week after the AUKUS fallout, France has confirmed a defence deal with Greece, providing the latter with warships and combat aircraft. The timing couldn’t be better and, as Andrew Mueller explains, this long-awaited pact…
Total Recall: What happens when diplomatic relations turn sour?
France has recalled its ambassadors to the US and Australia as a response to the new AUKUS deal and Australia’s cancellation of a French submarine contract. But what do such gestures really mean? Do some countries just want…
France and Algeria: can you pardon the past?
France has, not for the first time, attempted to apologise to the Harki community for its treatment of them following the country’s historic war with Algeria. But are President Macron’s morals and motives closely aligned…
Why is populism all the rage?
Police have increased security around the US Capitol ahead of a planned pro-Trump rally on 18 September. The expected demonstrations have brought a new wave of concern about the rise of populist anger. What is fuelling this…
Nicaragua: How to write yourself into exile
Once a good friend and political ally of Nicaragua’s president Daniel Ortega, novelist Sergio Ramírez finds himself an enemy of the state. Andrew Mueller explains how this plot developed.
Did we win the war on terrorism?
As the US commemorates the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan. How has the threat of terrorism changed in the two decades since the beginning of the War on Terror?…
Guinea: back under military rule
Guinea is no stranger to military coups but it had been hoped that the appointment of the country’s first elected leader, President Condé, would mark a new era of democracy. A little more than a decade, and a constitutional…
A New Dawn for Zambia?
It was a case of sixth time lucky for Hakainde Hichilema, who has become Zambia’s new president after five unsuccessful attempts. He inherits a troubled economy but his victory has raised hopes for change. How has he tri…
