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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
Afghanistan’s growing diaspora
US president Joe Biden has vowed to plough ahead with the evacuation of those trying to flee Afghanistan, despite Thursday’s deadly bombing by Islamic State. As tens of thousands move to escape Taliban rule, Afghanistan’s diaspora is about to grow larger. What is the journey out of Kabul like? Will…
Afghanistan: what went wrong?
Twenty years of American-led intervention in Afghanistan ended in chaos last weekend after the Taliban retook Kabul in the face of minimal resistance. Why did Afghanistan’s expensively trained army melt away so quickly? Where does this leave Afghan civilians? And will this Taliban rule be any different from the previous…
Tunisia: what went wrong?
Ten years ago, Tunisia was praised as the only democracy to blossom from the Arab Spring. It managed to cast out a long-time dictator and establish political pluralism. But now the future of the country’s democracy is in limbo following president Kais Saied’s dismissal of parliament. How long will this…
Eswatini: A kingdom in crisis
The tiny southern African nation of Eswatini has been rocked by civil unrest in recent weeks. Violent clashes between security forces and anti-government demonstrators have led to the deaths of more than 50 people. What has triggered these protests? Is King Mswati III willing to change course? And what’s to…
Historical series: The Iran Hostage Crisis
In part four of our historical summer series, we travel back to 1979 to examine the Iran Hostage Crisis. Where is the Ayatollah Khomeini going with this? What are President Carter’s options? And how, why, and when did relations between the United States and Iran deteriorate to this perilous point?…
Historical series: The Cuban Missile Crisis
In part three of our historical summer series, we travel back in time to 1962 to chart the Cuban Missile Crisis. What does Fidel Castro think he’s playing at? Who is making the decisions in the Kremlin and the White House? And is there any peaceful way out of this?…
Historical series: the Suez crisis
In part two of our special historical series this summer, we examine the Suez crisis of 1956. Ever since Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser announced his plans to nationalise the Suez Canal, the UK hasn’t looked quite so sure of itself. What does the country think it’s doing? What is…
Historical series: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand
In part one of our special historical summer series, we travel back in time to 1914 to discuss the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Who has done this and why? Is this a big deal or not? Or could it possibly become one by accident? Andrew Mueller speaks to Guy…
When will Australia reopen?
This week the Australian government announced plans to halve the number of international arrivals it accepts – the latest among a string of restrictions imposed in the country. On numbers alone, Australia can claim to have been a coronavirus success story. But a lockdown as rigorous as the one Australia…
Checkmate: chess and politics
Sometimes art imitates life; sometimes games do too. And parallels between chess and the political arena have existed for centuries. But are there really any similarities? How was the game used as a pawn in the cold war? And could the chessboard once again become a soft-power battleground? Andrew Mueller…
