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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
Calling it quits
Why do leaders resign early? We speak with Pat Leahy of ‘The Irish Times’, Jacinda Ardern’s former chief of staff Raj Nahna, former Armenian president Armen Sarkissian, and historian Alex von Tunzelmann for a look at quitters through history.
Europe’s revival
How has the war in Ukraine affected EU integration? And has Europe’s political and strategic centre shifted eastward? We speak to former Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven about the EU’s parliamentary elections, and to Romanian and Moldovan officials about the bloc’s enduring appeal. Plus: Anand Menon of King’s College London…
Delphi Economic Forum 2024
A special edition from Delphi about a newly confident Greece and its Balkan neighbours. Andrew Mueller speaks to president of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, the German ambassador to Greece, Andreas Kindl, Ukrainian MP Yulia Klymenko and Maria Gavouneli, director general of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy.
Mice that roar
Global events tend to be shaped by the great powers: those countries with vast territories, enormous populations and proportionate economic and military heft. Nevertheless, small states not only survive but prosper, particularly in terms of GDP per capita and happiness reports. What are the advantages of being a small state?…
Emmanuel Macron: Europe’s ‘Raging Bull’?
Black-and-white photos of Emmanuel Macron pounding a boxing bag sparked bemusement in France and abroad. The French leader’s office did not comment on the images but many have linked the ‘Raging Bull’-style photoshoot to Macron’s drive to toughen up the region’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Why is Emmanuel…
Islamic State: they never went away
Why did Islamic State target Russia and is the terror group still a big threat in the Middle East and Africa? Andrew Mueller speaks to Mark Galeotti, General David Petraeus, Sanam Vakil and Stig Jarle Hansen.
How has war changed Volodymyr Zelensky?
Comedian-turned-president Volodymyr Zelensky has found himself leading Ukraine in the nation’s darkest hour. How is Zelensky faring, what’s next for Ukraine’s counteroffensive and what does history tell us about wartime leadership? Andrew Mueller speaks to Simon Shuster, Yaroslav Trofimov and Alex von Tunzelmann.
Crisis in Haiti
The Caribbean nation continues to grapple with gang violence, political upheaval and a humanitarian crisis. How did we get here and is there a way out of Haiti’s nightmare? Andrew Mueller speaks to Jacqueline Charles, Harold Isaac, Christopher Sabatini and Georges Fauriol.
The future of dissent in Russia
Next weekend, Russia will hold an election that will effectively grant Vladimir Putin another six-year term as president. Combined with the recent death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the future looks difficult for Russians who would like the choice of a different leader. Was Alexei Navalny really the last dissident…
Wake up Europe
As former US president Donald Trump undermines Nato, is it high time for Europe to get its act together and spend more on defence? What would another Trump presidency mean for the future of the alliance? Andrew Mueller speaks to Ukrainian politician Hanna Hopko, former Estonian president Toomas Hendriks Ilves,…
