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
Explainer 326: David Trimble
Former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party David Trimble has died at the age of 77. Andrew Mueller explains how he helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland in 1998.
Ukraine: how to combat war fatigue
Five months after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, the Monocle 24 team is back on the ground to update us on the conflict. Are Ukrainians afraid of dropping out of the news cycle in allied countries? How do you prevent that from happening and why is it important to keep the…
Explainer 325: A mix-up in Mali?
Earlier this week, Mali arrested 49 soldiers from the Côte d’Ivoire who had arrived in the country as part of an ongoing UN mission. Andrew Mueller explains if this was a moment of confusion, or defiance.
Sri Lanka on a knife edge
Sri Lanka has plunged into political chaos in the face of financial meltdown. As the crisis rages on, the future of the country’s 22 million people is uncertain. How did we get here and what happens next? Andrew Mueller speaks to Tanya Warnakulasuriya, Shanta Devarajan, Charu Lata Hogg and Bhavani…
Explainer 324: Turning off the taps
Russia’s gas supply to Europe has been halted due to what Russia says are annual maintenance works and technical issues. Andrew Mueller offers an alternative explanation.
Boris Johnson resigns – what next?
After weeks of clinging on, Boris Johnson has at last agreed to step down as UK prime minister. What legacy does he leave behind? What challenges will his successor face? How have Ukrainians reacted? Andrew Mueller speaks to Tobias Ellwood, Lance Price, Vincent McAviney and Aliona Hlivco.
Explainer 323: A troubled bill
Andrew Mueller explains the proposed Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.
NATO: brain-dead no more?
In this special episode, the team travels to Madrid for Nato’s most important summit in generations. How much stronger has Russia made the alliance, if only by accident? Andrew Mueller speaks to Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis; the head of policy planning in the office of the secretary general at…
Explainer 322: The capriciousness of the Supreme Court
Roe vs Wade was just the beginning. Now the current US Supreme Court appears to be overturning a whole host of previous rulings. Andrew Mueller explains how two different Supreme Courts can read the same constitutional text and get two different answers.
Mark Esper
Andrew Mueller sits down with former US secretary of defence Mark Esper to discuss his tumultuous tenure in the Trump administration, the ongoing Capitol Hill committee hearings, and how he thinks other Western militaries ought to respond to current challenges.
