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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
The capture of Nicolás Maduro: a new horizon for Venezuela and American foreign policy?
One month on from US forces seizing the now former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, its impact still remains unclear. Will Caracas’s new leader bring any real change? Is Trump’s aversion to foreign entanglements over?
Explainer 502: The two-man rivalry fuelling South Sudan’s civil war
This week, General Johnson Olony, deputy chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, ordered troops to “spare no one”. Andrew Mueller unpacks the two-man power struggle at the top and how it continues to fuel civil war.
Live from Nuuk: Trump’s threats grip Greenland
‘The Foreign Desk’ reports from Nuuk as Trump’s threat of force grips Greenland. Is Nuuk closer now to Copenhagen or is independence more important than ever? Can the damage done to Nato be repaired?
Explainer 501: Why does Trump really want Greenland?
Are Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland in any way explainable? Andrew Mueller does his best to try.
Trump: One down, three to go… (in theory)
As President Trump completes the first year of his second term, we take stock. Is there a plan underpinning the chaos – or is chaos the plan? And what will the next three years hold?
Explainer 500: Why are Malaysia and Indonesia alone in taking on Grok?
Only Malaysia and Indonesia have threatened a ban on X unless its AI assistant, Grok, stops producing sexually explicit content. Why is the rest of the world staying silent?
What can the world expect in 2026?
Andrew Mueller and our expert panel discuss the key issues to keep an eye on in 2026.
Explainer 499: Why is Donald Trump ‘running’ Venezuela?
Trump has pledged to ‘run’ Venezuela after US forces captured its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Is this the beginning of a tripolar world between the US, China and Russia? And should Greenland, Cuba and Colombia be on edge?
The best of the Explainer 2025
The most notable world events that we explained in 2025.
The best of 2025
Andrew Mueller reflects on some of his favourite, and most impactful, conversations from the year on ‘The Foreign Desk’
