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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
Christmas in Finland: Santa, saunas and songs
In this special Christmas episode, we head to the homeland of Santa Claus to examine some of Finland’s wonderful festive traditions. Andrew Mueller sits down with the country’s former president Tarja Halonen, Mr Claus and Markus Hippi to find out how Finns like to celebrate. Plus: Mueller gets hot and…
Explainer 346: The trial of Moussa Dadis Camara
Andrew Mueller explains why Guinea’s former leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, stands accused of involvement in a 2009 massacre.
Qatar World Cup: a sportswashing own goal?
This year’s Fifa World Cup in Qatar has a strong claim to be the most controversial football competition ever. Amid relentless criticism over the nation’s human-rights record, has Qatar’s soft-power push backfired? Andrew Mueller speaks to Craig Foster, Shaka Hislop, Laura McAllister, Paul Brannagan and Danyel Reiche.
Explainer 345: Is it over for Ramaphosa?
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is mired in a convoluted corruption scandal. That is not unusual for the country but, as Andrew Mueller explains, it could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Iran: an unstoppable movement?
For more than two months, Iran has been rocked by protests ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police. The unrest has continued steadily as women and a disproportionately young generation seek a better way of life. Why have these protests proved so…
Explainer 344: Cracks in a fragile China
Unrest has been brewing in China, where the threat of a heavy-handed police state is usually enough to dissuade dissent. Andrew Mueller explains why there are protests – and why now.
NATO’s revival
Once declared “brain-dead” by Emmanuel Macron, NATO has been rejuvenated by the conflict in Ukraine. In this special episode, Andrew Mueller speaks to General Philip Breedlove, NATO’s former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and General Sir Richard Shirreff, NATO’s former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Explainer 343: Turkey vs the PKK
Andrew Mueller explains Turkey’s longstanding and violent feud with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
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.
