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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
Lula 3.0: what lies ahead for Brazil?
Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva was sworn in as Brazil’s president for the third time in January in a stunning comeback following four years of Bolsonaro’s far-right government. The newly inaugurated president now faces an uphill battle to rebuild his country and reinstate Brazil as a leading player on the…
Explainer 350: Sweden’s Nato bid and Turkey
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been finding as many reasons as he can to prevent Sweden from being accepted into Nato. Andrew Mueller explains why and asks, when push comes to shove, will Turkey really block Sweden’s bid?
No defence: Germany’s military reluctance
This week, Germany found itself needing a new defence minister amid criticisms for not agreeing to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks. Why is Germany still so afraid of taking a military stance? Is Europe ready for an active German army? And how does this apprehension look to Ukrainians? Andrew…
Explainer 349: For your ears only – the Biden files
Less than half a year after classified papers were found at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, Maga fans are gleefully accusing Joe Biden of the same misdeeds that they defend the former president over. Andrew Mueller explains the severity of the situation.
A climate for conflict: how the environment shapes warfare
The environment and the climate are factors in every conflict; the changing of the seasons has been arguably decisive on many occasions. How have militaries learned to adapt? How can those lessons be applied to conditions that may be changing beyond recognition? And can we stop climate wars from being…
Explainer 348: Storming of Congress: Is Brazil copying the US?
There are many similarities between the US elections that led up to the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack and the storming of Brazil’s Congress, two years and two days later. Andrew Mueller explains the key differences.
The rise of paradiplomacy
One usually thinks of diplomacy as something conducted at state level by presidents and prime ministers. But nation-states are no longer the sole actors in the international arena. Cities and sub-state governments are transforming the way we conduct foreign affairs. How does paradiplomacy work? And what makes a good paradiplomat?…
Explainer 347: The case against Ian Khama
Botswana’s former president Ian Khama is facing criminal charges relating to firearms, money laundering and more. Andrew Mueller explains where these accusations have come from.
Looking back at 2022 and forward to 2023
We look back on the big events of the past 12 months and peer ahead to next year. Andrew Mueller speaks to John Everard, Aliona Hlivco, Alex von Tunzelmann and Lada Roslycky.
Softly Does It
As Monocle’s annual Soft Power Survey hits the newsstands, we consider the established and bizarre ways that countries project themselves abroad, from panda diplomacy and royalty to the craft of culinary persuasion. Andrew Mueller speaks to Paul Jepson, Lauren Bernstein, Nic Robertson and Paul Brannagan.
