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
2019… if we must
It seems that every year we look back and say, ‘Could it get any worse than that?’ But there has to be a limit… doesn’t there? Andrew Mueller is joined by Parag Khanna, Tom Nichols and Amelia Hadfield to find out what we can look forward to – or brace…
The world in 2018
Andrew Mueller leafs through ‘The Foreign Desk’ archives to tell the story of another turbulent year.
Explainer 146: Will the campaign for a people’s vote on Brexit succeed?
With 100 days until the UK is set to leave the EU, campaigners are resorting to a variety of tactics to ensure the British public have the final say on the withdrawal agreement. Stephanie Sy-Quia asks if they will be successful and speaks to those leading the campaign.
Russia and the Middle East
Russia’s increasing presence is being felt across the Middle East. Not just in Syria, where it has been fighting alongside the Assad regime for almost three years, but also with business, arms and oil deals and numerous diplomatic trips to and from Moscow. Why is Putin so keen to fill…
Explainer 145: Brexit. What fresh hell is this?
Confused about what’s going on with the Brexit negotiations and inside Britain’s parliament? So is Andrew Mueller – but he tries to make sense of it nonetheless.
Does Europe need an army?
A unified European army is not a new idea but whenever it’s raised it’s usually forgotten just as quickly. Will this time be any different? And, if it is, what would a unified military force look like? Andrew Mueller is joined by Elisabeth Braw, Ulrike Franke and Christian Mölling.
Explainer 144: Who’s burning the Gävle goat?
It is tradition in the small Swedish town of Gävle to erect a giant straw goat to celebrate Advent. However it is also tradition, or at least it has become so, to try to destroy it in increasingly imaginative ways. Andrew Mueller investigates.
How democratic is the DRC?
On 23 December, voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo will choose a new president and hope to witness the country’s first peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960. But the freeness and fairness of the elections are already being called into question. So, what hope…
Explainer 143: Why is Asia so behind on LGBT rights?
The results of last weekend’s referendum on equal marriage rights in Taiwan were unexpected – and have wider implications for LGBT rights across the continent. Monocle’s HK bureau chief, James Chambers, explores why Asia is so reluctant to change its conservative views.
Europe’s rogue states
When EU member states won’t toe the line should they be punished – at the risk of inflaming populist resentments – or should the EU turn a blind eye and just hope others won’t have similar ideas? Andrew Mueller asks how the likes of Hungary and Poland – and now…
