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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
Munich Security Conference special edition
In this special episode recorded at the Munich Security Conference, Andrew Mueller sits down with the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, the prime minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, former CIA director General David Petraeus, Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, the prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and…
The other half
The role of first lady or, increasingly, first gentleman, can be one of the most potent ambassadorial positions in any nation’s diplomatic ranks. What is it really like to be the spouse of a world leader? Andrew Mueller speaks to Clarke Gayford, broadcaster and husband of Jacinda Ardern; Charity Wallace,…
Indonesia’s election: what’s at stake?
Voters in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, are gearing up to elect their next president in what is expected to be a hotly contested vote. Who is running and what are the key issues? Andrew Mueller speaks to James Chambers, Dewi Fortuna Anwar and Jacqui Baker.
Can the Israel-Hamas war be contained?
The war in Gaza is reverberating across the Middle East. How are nearby countries responding to the conflict? For a closer look at Iran, Jordan and Iraq, Andrew Mueller speaks to Vali Nasr, Merissa Khurma and Renad Mansour.
Sudan’s forgotten war
The world has paid little attention to Sudan since war broke out there 10 months ago. In a distracted world full of hostility, why are conflicts in Africa so easily neglected? Andrew Mueller speaks to Isma’il Kushkush, William Patey and Nima Elbagir.
It’s foreign policy, stupid
Foreign policy rarely wins US elections but the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have become intertwined with American politics. Will foreign policy loom large over November’s presidential election? And what would another Trump-Biden showdown mean for the world? Andrew Mueller speaks to Johanna Maska, Tom Nichols and Julie Norman.
Political pastimes
There is a tendency to view those in politics as diplomatic robots, solely programmed to keep the world running. But they are humans with personalities, hobbies and previous accomplishments in unrelated fields. In this special episode of ‘The Foreign Desk’, we’ll meet a finance minister who plays chess, a foreign…
The best of 2023
A selection of the best interviews over the past year, from the most listened-to episodes to the team’s personal favourites.
Looking back at 2023 – and ahead to 2024
We look back at the big events of 2023 and peer ahead at next year. Andrew Mueller speaks to Yossi Mekelberg, Latika Bourke and Yassmin Abdel-Magied.
Power dressing
From Nelson Mandela’s colourful shirts to Madeleine Albright’s glitzy brooches, fashion has been used as a powerful tool to communicate messages on the world stage. What role does fashion play in diplomacy? Andrew Mueller speaks to Natalie Theodosi, Samantha Conti and Desré Buirski.
