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
Explainer 380: Guatemala’s new president
Guatemala has elected a new president, bringing hope to the country. But with five months to go until his inauguration, it remains to be seen how smooth the transfer of power will be. Andrew Mueller explains who Bernardo Arevalo is and what kind of president he might be.
Zimbabwe’s high-stakes election
Zimbabweans will head to the polls next week to elect their country’s leader amid economic turmoil and vote-rigging fears. What is at stake? Andrew Mueller speaks to Hopewell Chin’ono, Fadzayi Mahere, Robert Chapman and Georgina Godwin.
Explainer 379: Who is Javier Milei?
Rock’n’roll singer, tantric sex coach and now, presidential candidate in Argentina. Andrew Mueller explains who Javier Milei is, his politics and if he has a chance of winning the election.
Europe swings east
The war in Ukraine has shifted Europe’s centre of gravity eastward. As Poland and Ukraine rapidly expand their militaries, the two countries have positioned themselves as vanguards of Western defence. Is a new balance of power being shaped? And will this spell trouble for traditional powerbrokers Germany and France? Andrew…
Explainer 378: Two wrongs make a popular president
El Salvador has been cracking down on gang criminals after years of widespread fear. Andrew Mueller explains how president Bukele’s barbaric methods have led to positive stats in both crime figures and leadership polls.
Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?
Last week the US Congress held a bizarre hearing on UFOs, which included explosive testimony about alien spacecraft defying laws of physics. What did we learn from America’s UFO hearing? Why do people latch onto conspiracy theories? And what does this mean for democracies? Andrew Mueller speaks to Marina Koren,…
Explainer 377: The fight for West Africa
Andrew Mueller looks at the coup in Niger as a symptom of the discontent rippling through West Africa.
David H Petraeus
In this special episode, Andrew Mueller sits down with former CIA director David H Petraeus to discuss the Wagner mutiny and western support for the war in Ukraine.
Explainer 376: What’s next for Spain?
Andrew Mueller explains what happened in Spain’s snap election and what is likely to come next.
What’s next for Nato?
In this episode recorded at the Nato summit in Vilnius, we examine the high-priority issues dominating the in-trays of foreign and defence ministers. Andrew Mueller speaks to the ministers of foreign affairs of Finland, Iceland and the Czech Republic, and to Estonia’s minister of defence.
