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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 Swedish election
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield chairs a discussion on Sweden’s soon departing government following last week’s general election. Featuring journalist Staffan Sonning and outgoing foreign minister Carl Bildt.
Tony Abbott’s Year
Monocle’s foreign editor Steve Bloomfield hosts a discussion on Australian prime minister Tony Abbott’s first year in office looking at immigration reform, climate policy and the nation’s presence on the world stage. With Annabel Crabb of ABC and Alex Oliver of the Lowy Institute.
The Foreign Desk: The Ebola crisis
Monocle’s foreign editor Steve Bloomfield hosts an extended discussion on the continuing spread of the deadly Ebola virus in west Africa. Featuring Cokie van de Velde of Médecins Sans Frontières, Buzzfeed’s Jina Moore and Ike Anya, a Nigerian public health doctor.
The Foreign Desk: Independent thinking
Monocle’s Steve Bloomfield chairs a discussion on what Scotland’s foreign policy might look like if the nation becomes independent. Featuring Hugo Rifkind from *The Times*, Jane Kinninmont of Chatham House, and actress Gabriel Quigley.
The Foreign Desk presents: The Soft Power of Football
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield assesses whether European football, which boasts some of the most popular and lucrative leagues in the world, is the continent’s most potent soft-power tool. Featuring football writers Raphael Honigstein and Jonathan Wilson.
The Foreign Desk: The fight against Islamic State
Monocle foreign-editor Steve Bloomfield chairs a discussion on the fight against Islamic State militant forces in Iraq and Syria. Featuring Shashank Joshi of the Royal United Services Institute and Iraqi commentator Zaid al-Ali.
The state of the UN
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield presents a special edition of the programme from New York as we discuss the UN’s significance in the modern world. Featuring Sir Nigel Rodley of the UN Human Rights Committee, diplomat Reza Afshar and author Dr Kate Seaman.
The Foreign Desk presents: Conflicts of Interest
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield introduces a special documentary edition of *The Foreign Desk* assessing how armed forces around the world are increasingly using soft-power techniques to achieve their goals.
The Foreign Desk presents: Nigeria in crisis
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield chairs a discussion on the path ahead for Nigeria as the Islamist group Boko Haram solidifies its hold over large parts of the country. Featuring Chatham House’s Leena Koni Hoffman, poet and writer Tolu Ogunlesi, and commentator Belinda Otas.
The Foreign Desk presents: Covering Gaza
Monocle foreign editor Steve Bloomfield chairs a debate on how news organisations cover the ongoing conflict between Hamas and the Israeli military. Featuring Ian Black, Middle East editor at *The Guardian* newspaper, Baria Alamuddin, foreign editor at *Al Hayat*, and Mohammed Omer, an independent journalist from Gaza.
