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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
What can the world learn from Taiwan?
Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu talks to Andrew Mueller about his country’s successful response to the Covid-19 outbreak, why Taiwan wants to join the World Health Organization and why the status quo in its relationship with China remains the best option for both. Plus: Sophia Yan in Beijing tells us…
Explainer 213: Can Mikheil Saakashvili return to power in Ukraine?
As Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky offers the former Georgian president a deputy prime minister’s seat, Andrew Mueller takes a look at Saakashvili’s questionable track record.
Coronavirus vs privacy
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads around the world, many governments are seeking to extend powers of surveillance to contain the outbreak. How can democracies protect their citizens’ health as well as their privacy? We look at worldwide concerns for privacy rights and see if Germany is once again on the…
Explainer 212: Why is Lesotho’s prime minister really standing down?
It’s not unusual for prime ministers to resign. It is unusual for prime ministers to resign in the hope of avoiding murder charges. Andrew Mueller considers the astonishing scandal consuming Lesotho.
International aid organisations and the pandemic
We meet the director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the international president of Médicins San Frontières to hear how some of the world’s poorest and most dangerous places are adapting to the pandemic. And we’ll hear from Yemen, a country highly dependent on international aid.
Explainer 211: Does Iraq have a new prime minister at last?
As Iraq names its third prime minister-designate in 10 weeks, Andrew Mueller analyses the country’s political deadlock and looks at Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s chances of keeping the job.
South America and coronavirus
Coronavirus had some way to travel to reach South America but it got there. And for distinctive national reasons, some of the continent’s countries look more vulnerable than others. We hear from our correspondents and experts about Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
Explainer 210: Why is the US threatening to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty?
As the US threatens to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, Andrew Mueller asks whether it’s yet another victim of Trump’s aversion to international cooperation or if there’s more at play.
The geopolitical consequences of Covid-19
As the US abandons its role as global leader, which countries are seeing an opportunity to fill the vacuum? In this episode Monocle’s editor in chief Tyler Brûlé talks to Nader Mousavizadeh, co-founder and co-CEO of Macro Advisory Partners to take a global look at the pandemic and how it’s…
Explainer 209: Viktor Orbán’s power grab
Coronavirus was always likely to provide cover for budding authoritarians wishing to shore up their positions. Is Hungarian democracy another victim of the outbreak?
