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The Foreign Desk
Monocle’s global-affairs show with Andrew Mueller. Expert guests, in-depth analysis, and sharp commentary on major geopolitical issues.
Latest Episodes
Keeping the Balkan peace
It has been more than a decade since a Western Balkan nation joined the European Union and long-simmering tensions between neighbours in the region are beginning to fray. In this special episode, largely recorded at the Globsec conference in Prague, we speak to those keeping the peace including Miroslav Lajčák,…
In defence of Europe
After the election of US president Donald Trump in 2016 and Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a consensus has formed that Europe needs to do more – and spend more – to look after itself. But at a time when the cost of living and other domestic…
Globsec 2024 highlights
The first edition in our special series recorded at the Globsec Forum in Prague. We hear a selection of highlights including an insight into defending a country during active conflict with Ukraine’s former defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov; EU harmony with Czechia’s foreign minister, Jan Lipavský; Nato’s priorities with General Chris…
Is centrism in retreat?
Amid this year’s elections, protests, frustrations and rise in authoritarianism, we explore what centrism really stands for – and whether it is on the march or in retreat. Andrew Mueller speaks with Monocle’s Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, author and Israeli advisor Yair Zivan and former US defence official Michèle…
The DNC, Gaza and US-Israeli relations
We explore how the US-Israel relationship has shifted over 10 months of war in Gaza and a change at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket. How might Kamala Harris approach the crisis differently than Joe Biden – and does the US still have any leverage to secure a long-term…
Tech bros and diplomacy
How has Elon Musk reshaped political discourse and how much power does he have compared to the media barons of the past? Andrew Mueller explores the relationship between technology companies and governments, with David Gilbert of ‘Wired’, author and technologist Ansgar Baums, disinformation researcher Heidi Tworek and space-defence expert Clayton…
What now for France?
The Olympics provided some welcome respite for Emmanuel Macron and the French from their political headache. Have they learned anything about unity from the Games? In part two of our broadcasts live from Paris, Andrew Mueller speaks with French sports ambassador Laurence Fischer, Le Monde ‘M’ magazine editor Marie-Pierre Lannelongue…
The Olympic spirit
The Olympics have never been just about the sports. We explore what it means for athletes to represent their countries, the mood in France and the history of boycotts and other geopolitical moments at the Games. Recorded at our pop-up studio in Paris, Andrew Mueller speaks to French journalist Daphnée…
Is change coming to Venezuela?
Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, faces a real challenge to his presidency this weekend, with a united opposition of Edmundo González and María Corina Machado campaigning for victory. What will it take to unseat Maduro and the Chavismo legacy that he represents? Andrew Mueller speaks with opposition advisor Paola Bautista de…
Is America the north star it used to be?
In this special episode, recorded partially in Washington during the Nato Summit, we take a look at the United States’ willingness and ability to assume its traditional role as leader of the free world in this pivotal era of global democracy. How much should America’s allies be worried? And if…
