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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
The war in Ukraine: what hasn’t happened?
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine isn’t going as he planned. This week on ‘The Foreign Desk’ we explore a number of events that most observers weren’t expecting. What happened to Russia’s Air Force? Why hasn’t Ukraine’s government and military collapsed? And why have Russian cyber and disinformation offensives not been catastrophic?…
Explainer 307: Western democracy’s double standards
Influential western individuals, companies and governments are busy loudly decrying Russia, packing up their businesses and slamming the door behind them while deftly opening new ones in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Borduria (probably). Andrew Mueller explains that while morality is free, acting on it has a price.
The Foreign Desk Live: Russia invades Ukraine – week three
We get the latest from the ground in Ukraine and an update on the diplomatic talks in Turkey. Plus: the view from Estonia and a look at how the conflict could reshape the world order. Andrew Mueller speaks to Maria Aveeda, Chris Cermak, Estonian foreign minister Eva-Maria Liimets and Mark…
Explainer 306: Persuading Putin
Since late 2021, several heads of state have been heard attempting to dissuade Russia’s president Putin from launching an invasion on Ukraine. Since 24 February 2022, the same heads of state have been attempting to encourage him to cease his invasion. Andrew Mueller explains who, if anyone, can get through.
The Foreign Desk Live: Russia invades Ukraine – week two
Andrew Mueller gets the latest from on the ground in Ukraine. Plus: is this an opportunity for Putin’s political opponents? What’s the view from the Baltics? And how do you run an effective government in wartime? With Yulia Marushovska, Leonid Volkov, Artis Pabriks, Alona Shkrum and Alex Riabchyn.
Explainer 305: The great conservative U-turn
Andrew Mueller explains why Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen many high-profile Western conservatives scrambling to distance themselves from their former idol, Vladimir Putin.
The Foreign Desk Live: Russia invades Ukraine – week one
On 24 February, Russia commenced a full invasion of Ukraine. What is the latest? Can Ukraine continue to defend itself? And what is likely to happen next? Andrew Mueller speaks to Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko, former Nato chief Richard Shirreff, as well as Russian journalist Ekaterina Kotrikadze and Russia expert…
Explainer 304: Déjà vu?: Revisiting Abkhazia and South Ossetia
As Russia sends troops to support separatists in the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, Andrew Mueller warns against drawing parallels with the Russo-Georgian War of 2008.
What to expect from Olaf Scholz
The thorny issue of how to manage Vladimir Putin’s Russia is one of the biggest foreign-policy challenges facing Germany’s new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who has come under fire for his perceived passivity in the face of Moscow aggression towards Ukraine. Where does Germany’s foreign-policy stance come from? How has it…
Explainer 303: The fight for the Chagos Islands
The Mauritius flag was raised over the Chagos Islands this week in defiance of the UK home office, which claims to have bought the deeds fair and square. Andrew Mueller explains the history of the contested ownership and how one person’s home is another’s military base.
