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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
Forging the future of Nato
National leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are gearing up for the alliance’s high-stakes summit next month in Lithuania. How has the war in Ukraine transformed Nato? And what comes next? Andrew Mueller speaks to Ingrida Simonyte, prime minister of Lithuania; Benedetta Berti-Alberti, head of policy planning in the…
Explainer 371: What was the point of Africa’s peace mission?
Andrew Mueller explains the recent trip of African leaders to Ukraine and Russia, and assesses whether it made any difference in terms of helping to end the war.
The war in Ukraine: a reality check
Almost 16 months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war shows no signs of ending. How long will the conflict last – and is the West actually afraid of a Ukrainian victory? Andrew Mueller sits down with General Philip Breedlove, Nato’s former supreme allied commander Europe, General…
Explainer 370: Donald Trump’s legal woes
Following Trump’s historic court appearance in Miami, Andrew Mueller explains the former US president’s growing laundry list of legal trouble and what it means for him politically.
What happened to EU enlargement?
As the war in Ukraine rages on, calls for EU enlargement have returned to the top of the political agenda. To explore the future of European integration, the team travels to the Globsec 2023 Bratislava Forum to speak to European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s minister of foreign…
Explainer 369: The pilot in Papua
A pilot from New Zealand has been taken hostage in Indonesia. Andrew Mueller explains who his captors are and what they want.
Mirror conflicts
With no end in sight to the bloody war in Ukraine, we ask what lessons can be drawn for parallel conflicts in Taiwan and Belarus. In a special episode recorded at the Globsec 2023 Bratislava Forum, Andrew Mueller speaks to Roy Chun Lee, Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister; Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus’s…
Explainer 368: Clashes in Kosovo
At least 25 Nato soldiers and 52 Serb civilians have been hurt during violent clashes in northern Kosovo this week. Andrew Mueller explains what has led to this confrontation.
The battle for Sudan
Fighting continues in Sudan despite successive ceasefire deals. Is there a way to stop two rival soldiers from destroying their country? Andrew Mueller speaks to Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Kholood Khair and Mat Nashed.
Explainer 367: Bashar al-Assad’s return
Twelve years after Syria was expelled from the Arab League for atrocities committed by President Assad, he and his nation have been warmly welcomed back. Andrew Mueller explains what, if anything, has warranted this change.