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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 269: Nigeria’s Twitter ban
Nigeria has banned Twitter after the social-media firm removed an inflammatory tweet by President Buhari. This is not the only issue the Nigerian government has with the platform but, as Andrew Mueller explains, the move is unlikely to work out as desired.
Canada after Kamloops: what now for indigenous rights?
The remains of 215 indigenous children were found last week at the site of a former residential school in British Columbia, Canada. The devastating discovery prompted nationwide outrage and sent shockwaves abroad. But are we witnessing a watershed moment for indigenous peoples? What do we understand about Canada’s dark past?…
Explainer 268: Silencing Pakistan’s journalists
Hamid Mir, a well-known journalist in Pakistan, has been prevented from broadcasting, following comments he made criticising the country’s authorities. This is just the latest incident in a series of serious attempts by the military to silence outspoken reporters but, as Andrew Mueller explains, the unofficial junta may have finally…
What’s the future of US-Israel relations?
US secretary of state Antony Blinken made his first visit to Israel this week in hopes of bolstering the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The trip epitomises the importance of the US-Israel relationship: a diplomatic alliance that has long been critical to the foreign policy of both countries.…
Explainer 267: Nordic Council of Ministers series, part three – Biodiversity
The global environmental agenda has been dominated by aims to reduce CO2 emissions but increasingly the Nordic countries are turning their focus to biodiversity and protecting nature. ‘The Foreign Desk’ and our Denmark correspondent Michael Booth have teamed up with the Nordic Council of Ministers for a series of five…
Gaza’s future
Celebrations broke out on the streets of Gaza following the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire. And yet, many analysts doubt that the truce will last and question whether meaningful dialogue is possible. More than 240 people have been killed in this latest round of fighting…
Explainer 266: Chile’s new constitution
After years of mass demonstrations against the inequities in Chile’s constitution – which was drawn up during the 1980s military dictatorship – the government of president Piñera granted the citizens a referendum to scrap it. The result was an overwhelming “yes”. Voting took place last weekend to determine representatives who…
Eurovision – but seriously
The Eurovision Song Contest is back and so are its noisy fans. Europe’s most popular cultural event will take place in Rotterdam next week, following last year’s cancellation. While the glitter-encrusted contest is primarily about musical performances, it has, and still does, function as an effective arena for major displays…
Explainer 265: Letter by French soldiers warns of civil war
Inflammatory claims in an open letter penned by several hundred members of the French military are causing a stir in France. The letter warns of the risk of civil war and targets radical Islam and national immigration policies – issues likely to loom large in next year’s presidential election. Andrew…
Who rules space?
Chinese rocket debris is expected to fall to Earth this weekend but it’s not clear when or where. The major space-power launched the first module of its new space station this week and also plans to build a lunar station in co-operation with Russia. But what are the rules of…
