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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
What’s next for Pakistan?
Shehbaz Sharif has been sworn in as Pakistan’s 23rd prime minister, following the ousting of Imran Khan. How did we get here and what’s next for the politically volatile country? Andrew Mueller speaks to Ian Talbot, Samira Shackle and Ahmed Rashid.
Explainer 311: Democracy Down Under
As Australia prepares to return to the polling booths in May, Andrew Mueller discusses prime minister Scott Morrison’s chances of retaining his position as leader and who could oust him.
Can Europe be weaned off Russian energy?
Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine has exposed Europe’s longstanding dependence on Russian fossil fuel. Amid mounting pressure to cut ties with the country’s energy providers, many European governments are scrambling for alternatives. But how quickly can this be done and why wasn’t it done before? Andrew Mueller speaks to Daniel…
Explainer 310: Will Putin pay?
Andrew Mueller explains the likelihood of Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials being put on trial for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s neighbours
The war in Ukraine has stoked fears around the world, especially among those living in countries that share a border with Ukraine. How nervous are Ukraine’s neighbours and what are they doing to help Ukraine? Andrew Mueller hears from Poland, Romania, Moldova and Belarus.
Explainer 309: Why are the Solomon Islands playing with China?
A proposed pact between the Solomon Islands and China was leaked last week. Andrew Mueller explains why the Australian government has concerns.
Are there really no limits to Russian-Chinese relations?
The war in Ukraine has put Russia’s partnership with China to the test – but it remains unclear precisely where Beijing stands on the crisis. How solid is the alliance between the two countries and how have events in Ukraine changed things? Andrew Mueller speaks to Nina Khrushcheva, Isabel Hilton…
Explainer 308: Russia’s terrible wartime tradition
Global outrage over Russian attacks on schools and healthcare facilities in Ukraine has mounted as residents of Mariupol remain trapped in the besieged city. But these strikes are nothing new for Moscow’s military. Andrew Mueller looks back at this terrible wartime tradition.
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.
