Sponsored by
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
Coronavirus vs privacy
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads around the world, many governments are seeking to extend powers of surveillance to contain the outbreak. How can democracies protect their citizens’ health as well as their privacy? We look at worldwide concerns for privacy rights and see if Germany is once again on the…
International aid organisations and the pandemic
We meet the director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the international president of Médicins San Frontières to hear how some of the world’s poorest and most dangerous places are adapting to the pandemic. And we’ll hear from Yemen, a country highly dependent on international aid.
South America and coronavirus
Coronavirus had some way to travel to reach South America but it got there. And for distinctive national reasons, some of the continent’s countries look more vulnerable than others. We hear from our correspondents and experts about Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
The geopolitical consequences of Covid-19
As the US abandons its role as global leader, which countries are seeing an opportunity to fill the vacuum? In this episode Monocle’s editor in chief Tyler Brûlé talks to Nader Mousavizadeh, co-founder and co-CEO of Macro Advisory Partners to take a global look at the pandemic and how it’s…
A century of multilateralism
If we date modern multilateralism from the founding of the League of Nations, it is an idea which celebrates its hundredth birthday this year. As the world attempts to tackle a global crisis, what have our multilateral institutions learned? Andrew Mueller is joined by Sarah Cliffe, Edward Girardet and John…
The Covid-19 recession
The Covid-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health emergency but it is also an economic crisis. Economist Vicky Pryce and finance analyst Louise Cooper measure the potential recession and discuss possible solutions, while former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd outlines how to lead a country through an economic shock.
Saudi Arabia: the struggle for power
Even by Saudi Arabia’s own Shakespearean standards of palace intrigue, this past week has been extraordinary. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has arrested at least two of his royal relatives, along with other officials and military officers. Are these just the latest steps in MBS’s procession towards the throne, or…
Has the US learnt anything from its longest war?
Nearly 19 years after invading Afghanistan, the US has agreed a peace deal with the Taliban. But is that really going to be an end to it? And will the US ever try anything similar again? Andrew Mueller is joined by Belquis Ahmadi and David Kilcullen.
Covid-19: how, why and what next?
Worldwide responses to Covid-19 have been robust: flight suspensions, travel restrictions and quarantines. There has already been a severe economic impact. The political impacts will take longer to become apparent. How are different governments responding? What have we learnt about what works and what doesn’t? How wary should we be…
Syria: who wants what?
A nine-year civil war has brought immense suffering upon the Syrian people. But this has never been only a Syrian conflict. Aside from the fighting between Syria’s government and Syrian rebel groups, the war has drawn in Russia, Turkey, Iran and the US, among others. Earlier this week, Turkey and…
