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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
Tax havens
Once the genuine public anger over the Panama Papers revelations subsides, what will actually change? Can tax havens really be eradicated – and what would it mean if they were? To discuss these questions Steve Bloomfield is joined by Nicholas Shaxson, the author of ‘Treasure Islands’; Francesco Guerrera, chief financial…
Justin Trudeau, beyond the photo ops
Justin Trudeau became Canada’s prime minister in November. Since then he’s become one the world’s most famous politicians but does his image match the reality? We dig beneath the photo ops to examine Trudeau’s first few months in power.
Who will follow Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe?
The Robert Mugabe era is stumbling to an end: the 92-year-old is no longer a charismatic speaker and his aura of invincibility has long since disappeared. We ask who will follow him and what his departure will mean for Zimbabwe.
Recovering from Brussels
There are some aspects of this week’s attacks that are very particular to Belgium. Have the nation’s longstanding divisions influenced the attackers and hindered the response? And how has Belgium reacted to the events? We look at media, security and the nation’s identity – or lack of.
How to beat Donald Trump
The reality TV star may be on his way to the Republican nomination but winning a general election will be altogether tougher. Five campaign experts from around the world gather to tell us how they’d go about defeating him.
Lula’s legacy
To fall from Brazil’s most popular and celebrated president to a suspect in one of Latin America’s largest corruption investigations is a disaster not only for Lula da Silva, the left-wing leader who helped lift tens of millions out of poverty, but also for his loyal and devoted followers. The…
Why refugee camps don’t work
The refugee camp should be a place of safety – a camp for those seeking refuge. But the reality is very different: from Calais to the borders of Syria refugee camps have become places of despair. We ask if there is a way to make them work?
What is Australia’s role in the world?
It’s a question that the country’s politicians have long grappled with: Australia’s history links it to the UK, it’s language and politics to the US and it’s geography to Asia. Listen to the discussion as Steve Bloomfield is joined by Dr Euan Graham from the Lowy Institute and Karen Middleton,…
The difficult diplomacy behind captivity
Prisoner swaps and hostage exchanges are some of the most difficult pieces of diplomacy to pull off – and they require careful negotiation and bring up ethical dilemmas for nations too. This week we explore the difficult diplomacy behind captivity and hear the story of Nigel Brennan, who was kidnapped…
US election special: Polling
Polls are not always accurate and in the US they are more regular and more detailed than everywhere else. But can polling actually shape a campaign, rather than merely reflect it? In this special edition of ‘The Foreign Desk’ from New York we look at the upcoming US elections and…
