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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
Explainer 279: Poland and Israel – refusing reparations
Diplomatic ties between Poland and Israel are severing swiftly. It after the passing of a law in Poland that prevents the descendants of Holocaust survivors from claiming homes stolen from their families by Nazis and communists during, and since, the Second World War. Andrew Mueller explains why this is not…
Tunisia: what went wrong?
Ten years ago, Tunisia was praised as the only democracy to blossom from the Arab Spring. It managed to cast out a long-time dictator and establish political pluralism. But now the future of the country’s democracy is in limbo following president Kais Saied’s dismissal of parliament. How long will this…
Explainer 278: Who are the Taliban?
Over the past few days the Taliban have laid claim to several key cities across the outer provinces of Afghanistan. As fighting continues, Andrew Mueller outlines the history of these insurgents.
Eswatini: A kingdom in crisis
The tiny southern African nation of Eswatini has been rocked by civil unrest in recent weeks. Violent clashes between security forces and anti-government demonstrators have led to the deaths of more than 50 people. What has triggered these protests? Is King Mswati III willing to change course? And what’s to…
Explainer 277: Ethiopia and Tigray revisited
Nine months have passed since ‘The Foreign Desk’ last reported on the conflict in Ethiopia in episode 395. Andrew Mueller explains the latest events and why a resolution seems a distant possibility.
Historical series: The Iran Hostage Crisis
In part four of our historical summer series, we travel back to 1979 to examine the Iran Hostage Crisis. Where is the Ayatollah Khomeini going with this? What are President Carter’s options? And how, why, and when did relations between the United States and Iran deteriorate to this perilous point?…
Explainer 276: Nordic Council of Ministers series, part five – Green transport
Coronavirus has offered us an opportunity to rethink our travelling habits. But how will we travel in a greener way in the future? ‘The Foreign Desk’ and Michael Booth, our Denmark correspondent, have teamed up with the Nordic Council of Ministers for a series of five special episodes delving deeper…
Historical series: The Cuban Missile Crisis
In part three of our historical summer series, we travel back in time to 1962 to chart the Cuban Missile Crisis. What does Fidel Castro think he’s playing at? Who is making the decisions in the Kremlin and the White House? And is there any peaceful way out of this?…
Explainer 275: Venezuela’s two presidents
Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro was comfortably re-elected to office in 2018. Or was he? Allegations of a false result have led the UK government to formally recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s official premier despite simultaneously continuing diplomatic relations with Maduro’s administration. Both are trying to access gold…
Historical series: the Suez crisis
In part two of our special historical series this summer, we examine the Suez crisis of 1956. Ever since Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser announced his plans to nationalise the Suez Canal, the UK hasn’t looked quite so sure of itself. What does the country think it’s doing? What is…
