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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
Russian roulette
Following the annexation of Crimea, Monocle’s foreign editor Steve Bloomfield asks where Russia might start meddling next. With Mary Dejevsky, Tonia Samsonova and Max Sher.
Poland’s soft power
As Poland’s former prime minister Donald Tusk assumes the presidency of the European Council, Monocle’s foreign editor Steve Bloomfield hosts a discussion on Poland’s place on the world stage today. Featuring the Polish secretary of state for European affairs, Rafal Trzaskowski, Konstanty Gebert from the European Council on Foreign Relations…
A united Spain?
Following this month’s vote in Catalonia, can Spain remain united? Steve Bloomfield speaks to Pablo Calderón Martínez and José María Peredo Pombo to assess the country’s future, while Monocle’s Madrid correspondent Liam Aldous reports from Catalonia.
After Jerusalem
Following the murder of four Jews at a synagogue in Jerusalem, Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield asks what it means for peace in the region. He’s joined by Daniella Peled, Dimi Reider and Joseph Dana.
Is this the man to lead Syria?
In a special edition of the Foreign Desk, Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield interviews the president of the Syrian National Coalition, Hadi al-Bahra.
Ebola: the update
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield chairs an extended debate on whether the fight against Ebola is gaining ground. With James Schneider of New African magazine, Jina Moore of Buzzfeed News and Ben Webster of the British Red Cross.
America’s broken politics
As voters across the US prepare to vote in this year’s midterm elections, Monocle’s foreign editor Steve Bloomfield asks how legislators in Washington DC can reverse the tide of growing apathy across the country.
Saudi Arabia and the West
Monocle’s foreign editor Steve Bloomfield hosts a discussion on why Saudi Arabia continues to hold so much influence in the West and whether the relationship with the Arab Gulf kingdom is shifting. Featuring former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Richard W Murphy, and author and commentator Thomas W Lippman.
What next for Japan?
From Monocle’s new studio in Tokyo, foreign editor Steve Bloomfield presents a special discussion on Shinzo Abe’s premiership featuring professor Koichi Nakano of Sophia University in Tokyo and the *Times*’ Asia editor Richard Lloyd Parry.
The Art of Speechwriting
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield hosts an extended discussion on the art of political speechwriting. Featuring Bill Clinton’s one-time chief speechwriter David Kusnet, UN secretary-general Kofi Annan’s former scribe Dr Sara Lodge and Antonin Baudry, erstwhile speechwriter to ex-prime minister of France Dominique de Villepin.
