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
The future of Ireland
The UK and Ireland have a long and bloody past but since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 the countries have remained mostly at peace. But since Britain’s exit from the EU, the relationship between the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK has become murky…
After Mosul
The battle for Mosul was supposed to be over by now but the coalition has found it harder than it predicted. The toll has been great: hundreds of civilians have died and tens of thousands have fled. What happens next?
Iceland’s triumph
No nation fell as far during the 2008 global financial crisis as Iceland. But unlike other countries Iceland decided to hold those responsible for the crash to account. Now, nine years on, the country has recovered. What can other nations learn from Iceland’s actions?
Why the Dutch election matters
The first of Europe’s big-three elections of 2017 takes place next week; in the Netherlands it is yet another test for liberal democracy. Monocle’s Steve Bloomfield is joined by Philippe Remarque, editor in chief of ‘De Volkskrant’, and [Emilie van Outeren](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/03/08/who-is-geert-wilders-the-dutch-populist-who-could-win-but-not-rule-a1549168), a political journalist for ‘NRC’, to discuss why this…
Brexit – what Europe wants
At some stage this month the UK prime minister Theresa May will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, formally announcing that the UK wishes to leave the European Union, kickstarting two years (or more) years of negotiations. We’ve heard a lot from May and her merry band of Brexiteers…
The revival of American satire
President Trump presents a formidable challenge to satirical writers, broadcasters, comedians and visual artists. What are the ins and outs of covering such an unpredictable president and more importantly, how do you satirise the self-satirising?
North Korea in the age of Donald Trump
Kim Jong-un now finds himself facing a foe who also understands the awesome and disorienting power of unpredictability. How will North Korea negotiate the age of Donald Trump?
Who is Martin Schulz?
As Germany gears up for the federal election in September, we profile SPD’s candidate for chancellor, Martin Schulz. After a successful stint as European Parliament president, his popularity at home is growing. But is it enough to beat Angela Merkel?
How to defeat Trump
In just two weeks Donald Trump has come up against an almost uncountable number of objections, lawsuits and protests criticising his actions and policies. But what is his main opposition and is there anything that might stop him serving his full four-year term?
From democracy to autocracy
Sales of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ have surged in recent days but as great as that novel is, it won’t tell Americans much about the reality of life in an autocracy. For that we need to listen to those who have lived through it already.
