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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
National anthems
Some are rousing, others are melancholy and some are just plain dreary. They’re belted out at sporting events, chanted in the streets to bring nations together and used as a political tool by those in power. But what makes a great national anthem great, why are so many so terrible…
Reasons to be cheerful in 2018
Monocle’s bureaux staff look ahead to 2018 in terms of elections, surprises and, hopefully, some reasons to be cheerful.
The world in 2017
We look back through the archives to tell the story of a tumultuous year, from Donald Trump’s erratic presidency and troubles in the Middle East to the rise and fall of populism in Europe and some questionable referendums.
Alabama shakes?
This week all eyes were on Alabama. An election that would normally go unnoticed – even by a good number of the state’s inhabitants – became a litmus test for politics in the US. But was Democrat Doug Jones’ victory over the controversial Republican Roy Moore a one-off or is…
Yemen after Saleh
The war in Yemen has been long, complicated and devastating for the people that live there. But is the death this week of former leader and Arab strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh a catalyst for positive change or the start of yet more turmoil? Andrew Mueller is joined by Kamal Al-Solaylee,…
Post-Putin Russia
At some point, be it soon or not, Vladimir Putin will stop being the president of Russia. But after 18 years at the top and no clear line of succession, is it possible to imagine what that Russia might look like – and who or what could even replace him?…
Zimbabwe after Mugabe: now what?
Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule has come to an end amid jubilation at home and relief abroad. Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as the new president of Zimbabwe and faces the daunting task of rebuilding the country – and of meeting the hopes and expectations of its residents. Andrew Mueller…
Does Japan need a military?
Since the Second World War Japan has been a pacifist nation. But during that time it has built up an impressive defence force that, if it was a fully fledged military, would be the eighth largest in the world. In an ever more unstable region is it time for this…
Trouble in the House of Saud
After an abrupt and significant week in Saudi Arabia, from shock resignations to missile interceptions, Christopher Lord looks at the state of the House of Saud and the reasons behind its recent change of strategy. Also in the studio: Ahmed Al Omran, Jane Kinninmont and Mohammed Khalid Alyahya.
A ‘new era’ for China?
Xi Jinping is, officially, China’s most powerful leader since Chairman Mao – his doctrine is enshrined in The Party’s constitution forever. But is China really at the start of a ‘new era’? Or have corruption, a slowing economy and the authoritarian regime started to have a negative impact on one…
