Sponsored by
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
David H Petraeus
In this special episode, Andrew Mueller sits down with former CIA director David H Petraeus to discuss the Wagner mutiny and western support for the war in Ukraine.
Explainer 376: What’s next for Spain?
Andrew Mueller explains what happened in Spain’s snap election and what is likely to come next.
What’s next for Nato?
In this episode recorded at the Nato summit in Vilnius, we examine the high-priority issues dominating the in-trays of foreign and defence ministers. Andrew Mueller speaks to the ministers of foreign affairs of Finland, Iceland and the Czech Republic, and to Estonia’s minister of defence.
Explainer 375: Who is Hun Sen?
Hun Sen has been Cambodia’s prime minister since 1984. Andrew Mueller explains how he has remained in power for so long and why he will be reelected this weekend.
Nato’s Ukraine dilemma
In this special episode, the team travels to Vilnius for a historic Nato summit. What’s in store for the alliance and when will Ukraine be joining? Andrew Mueller speaks to the prime minister of Bulgaria, Nikolai Denkov; Benedetta Berti-Alberti; Ambassador Andrej Benedejcic; and Daria Kaleniuk.
Explainer 374: Cluster bombs
Nato members are conflicted after the US announced that it would supply Ukraine with surplus cluster bombs. Andrew Mueller discusses the controversial decision and why the besieged country wants the munitions.
Imagining a Third World War
Militaries around the world are enlisting novelists to dream up the wars of the future. What can defence experts learn from science fiction? Andrew Mueller speaks to political scientist Peter Singer, general Sir Richard Shirreff, major general Mick Ryan and Nato’s Ruben Diaz-Plaja.
Explainer 373: Howzat cricket?
An incident during an England-Australia cricket match this week has spilled into the geopolitical sphere as prime ministers, Rishi Sunak and Anthony Albanese, both issued pointed statements toward each other. Andrew Mueller explains why it’s such big news for all those who might find themselves stumped.
Lukashenko and Putin: brothers in arms?
Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko became an unexpected major player in the apparent resolution of the dispute between Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group and the Russian state. What does Belarus have to gain (and lose) from backing Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine? Andrew Mueller speaks to John Everard, Hanna Liubakova…
Explainer 372: The Prigozhin Mutiny
Andrew Mueller considers the reasons why Wagner Group Chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, aborted his mutiny so quickly and what might happen next.