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
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…
Explainer 434: Is the EU-topia failing?
As Germany enforces tougher checks on all its borders, Andrew Mueller questions what this will mean for the Schengen Area.
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…
Explainer 433: Brazil vs X
Andrew Mueller explains why Brazil has banned the social media platform X.
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…
Explainer 432: The theatre of war
Andrew Mueller explains why the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah seems to have peaked – and promptly fizzled out – over the weekend.
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…
Explainer 431: Putin the peacemaker
Andrew Mueller explains why Vladimir Putin fancies himself as a peacemaker between Azerbaijan and Armenia while his own country wages war.
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…
Explainer 430: Will there be peace in Sudan?
As peace talks are set to begin in Geneva regarding Sudan’s year-long conflict, Andrew Mueller asks whether optimism about their success is foolhardy.
