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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 264: Australia – homeward bound?
Australia has been incredibly successful in curbing the spread of coronavirus within the country, mainly due to the reactive and stringent lockdown measures that have been in place over the past year. However, many Australian citizens have found themselves stranded around the world with no hope of returning any time…
Can Cyprus be put back together?
Talks on the future of Cyprus took place in Geneva this week, attempting to find an answer to the decades-old questions of if and how the divided island can be reunified. How did Cyprus get here? And is there a way out of this? Andrew Mueller is joined by Anna…
Explainer 263: Nordic Council of Ministers series, part two: Cultural collaboration
What’s behind the great Nordic cultural wave which has swept across the world in recent years – the great TV series, burgeoning art scene, and Oscar-winning films? The answer is collaboration, as we hear from star of ‘The Bridge’ Sofia Helin, among other leading figures from the Nordic arts scene.…
The US and guns: can anything change?
One thing that coronavirus didn’t change in the US was the country’s shocking rate of gun deaths: even under widespread lockdowns, mass shootings spiked sharply. But Joe Biden has declared his intention to address a scourge he has described as a national embarrassment. What can actually be done? And is…
Explainer 262: What happened to the European Super League?
The European Super League was proudly presented on Sunday 18 April as a new facet of weekday football, set to earn the 12 confirmed teams vast sums into the hundreds of millions. Just three days later, only two teams remain committed. Andrew Mueller explains why it all fell to pieces.
Bringing the ‘Benin Bronzes’ home
In recent weeks several museums in Europe announced that they are planning to return the treasures known as the ‘Benin Bronzes’, which were looted from what is now Nigeria by British troops in 1897. But why now, after years of clamour for their restitution? Will more museums follow? And what…
Explainer 261: Who keeps attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities?
After an Iranian nuclear facility was reportedly the subject of an attack over the weekend, Tehran’s fingers firmly pointed in the direction of Israel. Andrew Mueller explains why this may not be a false judgement.
‘The Middle East Crisis Factory’
How did the Middle East get broken, and how can it be fixed? What does the future look like for its 500 million – mostly very young – people? And what role should the West play? These are among the questions considered by Iyad El-Baghdadi and Ahmed Gatnash in their…
Explainer 260: Jordan’s royal rift
Jordan’s usually placid and stable monarchy has been rocked this week, after the sudden arrest of Prince Hamzah following claims of a planned coup against his brother, King Abdullah II. Andrew Mueller explains how Saudi Arabia might have played a role in the events.
Why did Brazil’s defence chiefs quit?
In the biggest crisis of Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency so far, the heads of the army, navy and air force all resigned. What are they trying to achieve? What does it mean for Bolsonaro’s future? And what role has the military played in Brazil’s recent political history? Andrew Mueller asks Fernando…
