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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
Space: soft power’s final frontier
Is taking the giant leap into space still a muscle-flexing exercise for competing powers or has it become the blueprint for international co-operation? As Australia gears up to start its own space programme, we ask: what are countries looking for up there and is it worth it? Andrew Mueller talks…
Explainer 86: Is the Dream still alive?
Children of illegal immigrants are still fighting for their right to remain in the US – and continue to be used as a bargaining chip by supporters of President Trump’s border wall. But, New York bureau chief Ed Stocker asks, are all hopes lost?
Will Puerto Rico ever be the 51st state?
Puerto Rico’s recent referendum on statehood saw 97 per cent vote in favour of joining the US. But it wasn’t legally binding and the devastation of Hurricane Maria has left the island with more pressing issues – and a newfound resentment for the country they voted to join. Will Puerto…
Explainer 85: American gun laws
In the aftermath of the attack in Las Vegas, Andrew Mueller asks if anything can make the US change its gun laws.
Kurdistan – the end of Iraq?
This week more than 90 per cent of Iraqi Kurds voted in favour of seceding from Iraq – a predictable result that has nonetheless wrongfooted everybody. Can Iraq be kept together? Does it matter if it isn’t? And could Kurdistan’s time have come at last? Andrew Mueller is joined by…
Explainer 84: Why has Shinzo Abe called a snap election now?
It wasn’t a surprise (observers had been predicting it for weeks) but, at a time when Japan is far from stable, our Asia bureau chief Fiona Wilson asks – why now?
What’s next for Europe’s broken democracies?
When Hungary and Poland joined the EU in 2004 hopes were high for the newest members. But as Europe itself goes through a troubled period they have started to lean away from the liberalism they once craved during Soviet rule. Is this a sign of things to come or will…
Explainer 83: Kurdish independence, why now?
Semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan has had its sights set on independence but, in a time of ever-increasing instability in the region, why now?
Strained relations
Australia’s non-compulsory postal plebiscite on equal marriage is well underway – but is it necessary, why has it taken so long and why is Australia making this so complicated? We speak to Tim Wilson MP, Josh Taylor, Christine Forster and veteran rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Explainer 82: What is Fema’s future?
Tomos Lewis takes a look at Fema, the agency tasked with cleaning up the areas devastated by the recent hurricanes. With the Trump administration’s assault on big-government spending underway, what might its future be?
