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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
Why aren’t there more women in politics?
While female representation in politics has improved in recent years, gender parity remains a distant dream. Women comprise more than half of the global population but only 26 per cent of lawmakers around the world are female. Why aren’t there more women in politics? And what will it take to…
Explainer 342: Qatar World Cup: how did we get here?
Why would Fifa host the World Cup in a country that not only has a hostile climate for sport and abuses human rights but has also never taken part in the competition? Andrew Mueller tries to explain.
Historical series: The Trojan War
In part three of our historical series, we travel back to the Bronze Age to revisit the Trojan War. Why did the Trojans fall for the Greeks’ wooden-horse stunt? Andrew Mueller speaks to Hannah Lucinda Smith, Jane Draycott and Daisy Dunn.
Explainer 341: Meddling China
Andrew Mueller explains the allegations that China is influencing democratic elections in the West.
Historical series: Easter Rising
In part two of our historical series, we travel back to 1916 to chart the Easter Rebellion. What was happening in Ireland and how did the British authorities not see this coming? Andrew Mueller speaks to Bríona Nic Dhiarmada, Quentin Peel and John Dorney.
Explainer 340: Benjamin Netanyahu’s election comeback
Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be on course to lead the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. Andrew Mueller unpacks the former prime minister’s dramatic political comeback.
Historical series: The Sputnik crisis
In part one of our historical series, we travel back in time to 1957 to unpack the Sputnik crisis. What did this new satellite foreshadow, and how did the Soviet Union do it? Andrew Mueller speaks to Henry Rees-Sheridan, Tom Nichols, Mark Galeotti and Linda Dawson.
Explainer 339: Why won’t Israel send weapons to Ukraine?
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised Israel for not sending military aid to Kyiv. Andrew Mueller examines Israel’s reluctance to send weapons and where this comes from.
Jens Stoltenberg
This week’s special guest on The Foreign Desk is NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, whose role has unexpectedly been extended for a year in light of current events. Andrew Mueller asks Stoltenberg for his thoughts on Russia-Ukraine, China and NATO expansion.
Explainer 338: Jamaica’s music ban
The Jamaican government has banned certain music, and other culture broadcasts, in an attempt to curb the country’s issues with violence. Andrew Mueller looks to recent history to explain why this probably won’t work.
