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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 208: Abkhazia chooses a president… again
Andrew Mueller discusses an unusual election in the post-Soviet breakaway state of Abkhazia.
The Covid-19 recession
The Covid-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health emergency but it is also an economic crisis. Economist Vicky Pryce and finance analyst Louise Cooper measure the potential recession and discuss possible solutions, while former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd outlines how to lead a country through an economic shock.
Saudi Arabia: the struggle for power
Even by Saudi Arabia’s own Shakespearean standards of palace intrigue, this past week has been extraordinary. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has arrested at least two of his royal relatives, along with other officials and military officers. Are these just the latest steps in MBS’s procession towards the throne, or…
Explainer 206: Why are oil prices dropping?
Andrew Mueller explains why Russia is waging an oil war with Saudi Arabia.
Has the US learnt anything from its longest war?
Nearly 19 years after invading Afghanistan, the US has agreed a peace deal with the Taliban. But is that really going to be an end to it? And will the US ever try anything similar again? Andrew Mueller is joined by Belquis Ahmadi and David Kilcullen.
Explainer 205: Israel: third time lucky?
Last weekend Israelis went to the polls for the third time in less than a year. Andrew Mueller looks at Benjamin Netanyahu’s chances of staying in office – and out of prison.
Covid-19: how, why and what next?
Worldwide responses to Covid-19 have been robust: flight suspensions, travel restrictions and quarantines. There has already been a severe economic impact. The political impacts will take longer to become apparent. How are different governments responding? What have we learnt about what works and what doesn’t? How wary should we be…
Explainer 204: Why did Malaysia’s prime minister pretend to quit?
This week, Malaysia’s prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, resigned at age 94 – and then took it back. Andrew Mueller looks into what might lie behind Mohamad’s apparent change of heart.
Syria: who wants what?
A nine-year civil war has brought immense suffering upon the Syrian people. But this has never been only a Syrian conflict. Aside from the fighting between Syria’s government and Syrian rebel groups, the war has drawn in Russia, Turkey, Iran and the US, among others. Earlier this week, Turkey and…
Explainer 203: Could Russia go to war with Belarus?
As Russia puts more pressure on Belarus, might tension between the two neighbours result in conflict?
