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The Foreign Desk - latest episodes
Explainer 447: Why is Israel striking Syria?
As Syrians celebrate Assad’s fall, Israel is striking targets across the country. Andrew Mueller explains why.
The case for indigenous political inclusion
Against strong resistance, indigenous communities are asserting their right to inclusion in the political systems of their respective nations. Andrew Mueller speaks to Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, the illustrator of…
Explainer 446: The South Korean coup that wasn’t
As South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol attempts to undo last night’s shock announcement of martial law, Andrew Mueller explains the real reasons behind the attempted coup.
Taiwan’s China problem
As Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te embarks on his first international tour, we explore this delicate moment for an island that China still claims as a rogue province. Will China really try to reclaim Taiwan? And how would…
Explainer 445: Are Romania’s election candidates really that surprising?
As we wait to hear if Romania will annul its first round of elections, Andrew Mueller explains why the shocking result should not be that shocking.
Is Europe ready for war?
This week, households in Sweden received a government pamphlet entitled ‘In Case Of Crisis Or War’, while similar manuals were published across Scandinavia. Some European nations are evidently preparing for war, but are…
Explainer 444: Why are New Zealand’s Maori protesting?
Andrew Mueller explains the origin of the controversial bill New Zealand’s Maori are protesting against.
Trump’s doctrine: the sequel
Following Trump’s first cabinet appointments, we consider what his second term might mean for tensions between international powers. Andrew Mueller speaks with Amy Mackinnon, national security reporter for ‘Foreign Policy’…
Explainer 443: The motives behind Equatorial Guinea’s sex scandal
African social media has been awash with scandalous videos of Baltasar Ebang Engonga, head of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, filmed by the man himself, in his own office. Andrew Mueller expl…
Trump returns: what now?
As the dust settles on what was a shocking election result for some, we ask how Trump’s decisive victory happened and what it means for the US and the world. Andrew Mueller speaks to ‘The Atlantic’ staff writer Tom Nichols…
Explainer 442: The election result making Europe breathe a sigh of relief
While we take stock of what Trump’s victory means for the world, one country’s election result has had a more reassuring effect, at least for the EU. This week, Moldova reelected president Maia Sandu. Andrew Mueller expl…
US election counterintuitives
Trump the peacemaker, Obama the deporter, George W Bush the foreign aider. Ahead of the election, we interrogate the counterintuitive positions candidates have taken against their party’s (and their own) image, once in…
Explainer 441: In celebration of Uruguay’s drama-free election
As the US braces itself for next week’s anxiety-inducing vote and Georgians reel at their own controversial ballot result, Andrew Mueller explains why Uruguay has enjoyed a sublimely excitement-free election.
How the war in Ukraine has reshaped Asian foreign policy
The war in Ukraine and Russia has affected East Asian foreign policy in more ways than you might expect. We explore North and South Korea's involvement in the conflict with former UK ambassador John Everard, China’s watc…
Explainer 440: Why don’t Australians care about King Charles III?
Andrew Mueller explains why Charles III’s first visit to Australia as king has drawn the support of some, the ire of others and indifference from most.
