The Foreign Desk

By Monocle

What's The Foreign Desk about?

Presented by Andrew Mueller, Monocle’s flagship global-affairs show features expert guests and in-depth analysis of the big issues of the week. Nominated for ‘Best Current Affairs’ show and the ‘Spotlight Award’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

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The Foreign Desk episodes:

04.24.2024
Explainer 414: Who are the Netzah Yehuda?
Andrew Mueller explains why the US government is placing sanctions on an ultra-Orthodox group of soldiers within the IDF. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.20.2024
Delphi Economic Forum 2024
A special edition from Delphi about a newly confident Greece and its Balkan neighbours. Andrew Mueller speaks to president of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, the German ambassador to Greece, Andreas Kindl, Ukrainian MP Yulia Klymenko and Maria Gavouneli, director general...
04.17.2024
Explainer 413: Iran and Israel
Andrew Mueller explains why Iran delivered a missile strike against Israel and the potential ramifications. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.13.2024
Mice that roar
Global events tend to be shaped by the great powers: those countries with vast territories, enormous populations and proportionate economic and military heft. Nevertheless, small states not only survive but prosper, particularly in terms of GDP per capita and happiness...
04.10.2024
Explainer 412: Going for gold
Zimbabwe is introducing its new official currency, the ZiG, which is tied to the country’s gold reserves. Given that its five previous currencies have collapsed, Andrew Mueller muses on this one’s potential to last. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
04.06.2024
Emmanuel Macron: Europe’s ‘Raging Bull’?
Black-and-white photos of Emmanuel Macron pounding a boxing bag sparked bemusement in France and abroad. The French leader’s office did not comment on the images but many have linked the ‘Raging Bull’-style photoshoot to Macron’s drive to toughen up the...
04.03.2024
Explainer 411: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Andrew Mueller explains who the IRGC are and why they are being targeted by Israel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.30.2024
Islamic State: they never went away
Why did Islamic State target Russia and is the terror group still a big threat in the Middle East and Africa? Andrew Mueller speaks to Mark Galeotti, General David Petraeus, Sanam Vakil and Stig Jarle Hansen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
03.27.2024
Explainer 410: Water fight in the South China Sea
Andrew Mueller explains why the China Coast Guard attacked a Filipino civilian boat with a water cannon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.23.2024
How has war changed Volodymyr Zelensky?
Comedian-turned-president Volodymyr Zelensky has found himself leading Ukraine in the nation’s darkest hour. How is Zelensky faring, what’s next for Ukraine’s counteroffensive and what does history tell us about wartime leadership? Andrew Mueller speaks to Simon Shuster, Yaroslav Trofimov and...
03.20.2024
Explainer 409: Niger and the USA
Andrew Mueller explains the significance of Niger cutting ties with the US military – and why it might not be happening at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.16.2024
Crisis in Haiti
The Caribbean nation continues to grapple with gang violence, political upheaval and a humanitarian crisis. How did we get here and is there a way out of Haiti’s nightmare? Andrew Mueller speaks to Jacqueline Charles, Harold Isaac, Christopher Sabatini and...
03.13.2024
Explainer 408: Another failed referendum
Andrew Mueller explains why the people of Ireland said “no” to rewording their constitution – and why their response took the government by surprise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.09.2024
The future of dissent in Russia
Next weekend, Russia will hold an election that will effectively grant Vladimir Putin another six-year term as president. Combined with the recent death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the future looks difficult for Russians who would like the choice of...
03.06.2024
Explainer 407: Haiti calls for aid
This week, Haiti’s plight under gang rule has intensified as its prime minister, Ariel Henry, is refused entry into the country. Andrew Mueller explains who is – and who isn’t – answering the Caribbean state’s plea for assistance. See omnystudio.com/listener...
03.02.2024
Wake up Europe
As former US president Donald Trump undermines Nato, is it high time for Europe to get its act together and spend more on defence? What would another Trump presidency mean for the future of the alliance? Andrew Mueller speaks to...
02.28.2024
Explainer 406: Whither the Palestinian Authority
After the Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, announces his resignation, Andrew Mueller looks at the future of the Palestinian Authority and whether it has any hope of governing Gaza and the West Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
02.24.2024
Munich Security Conference special edition
In this special episode recorded at the Munich Security Conference, Andrew Mueller sits down with the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, the prime minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, former CIA director General David Petraeus, Israel’s ambassador to Germany,...
02.21.2024
Explainer 405: Taliban 2.0
After the Taliban refused to attend a UN conference in Doha about Afghanistan this week, Andrew Mueller takes a moment to evaluate how much the terrorist group has really changed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
02.17.2024
The other half
The role of first lady or, increasingly, first gentleman, can be one of the most potent ambassadorial positions in any nation’s diplomatic ranks. What is it really like to be the spouse of a world leader? Andrew Mueller speaks to...
02.14.2024
Explainer 404: Putsch away democracy
Andrew Mueller explains how Senegal’s president, Macky Sall, is clinging to power beyond his term limits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
02.10.2024
Indonesia’s election: what’s at stake?
Voters in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, are gearing up to elect their next president in what is expected to be a hotly contested vote. Who is running and what are the key issues? Andrew Mueller speaks to James Chambers,...
02.07.2024
Explainer 403: What’s behind the Super Bowl conspiracy?
Andrew Mueller examines why bizarre conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl are spreading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
02.03.2024
Can the Israel-Hamas war be contained?
The war in Gaza is reverberating across the Middle East. How are nearby countries responding to the conflict? For a closer look at Iran, Jordan and Iraq, Andrew Mueller speaks to Vali Nasr, Merissa Khurma and Renad Mansour. See omnystudio.com/listener...
01.31.2024
Explainer 402: What now for Tuvalu?
Andrew Mueller explains why we should care about Tuvalu’s election results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01.27.2024
Sudan’s forgotten war
The world has paid little attention to Sudan since war broke out there 10 months ago. In a distracted world full of hostility, why are conflicts in Africa so easily neglected? Andrew Mueller speaks to Isma’il Kushkush, William Patey and...
01.24.2024
Explainer 401: Don’t rock the boat
Andrew Mueller explains how Ethiopia has angered Somalia and Egypt in its efforts to secure a coastal base for its boatless navy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01.20.2024
It’s foreign policy, stupid
Foreign policy rarely wins US elections but the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have become intertwined with American politics. Will foreign policy loom large over November’s presidential election? And what would another Trump-Biden showdown mean for the world? Andrew Mueller...
01.17.2024
Explainer 400: Why is Italy’s deputy prime minister on trial?
Andrew Mueller examines the kidnapping and abuse of office charges facing Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01.13.2024
Political pastimes
There is a tendency to view those in politics as diplomatic robots, solely programmed to keep the world running. But they are humans with personalities, hobbies and previous accomplishments in unrelated fields. In this special episode of ‘The Foreign Desk’,...
01.10.2024
Explainer 399: Bangladesh’s one-party democracy
Andrew Mueller explains Bangladesh’s descent into a one-party autocracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01.06.2024
The best of 2023
A selection of the best interviews over the past year, from the most listened-to episodes to the team’s personal favourites. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01.03.2024
Explainer 398: Ringing in the new year
Andrew Mueller explains the first complicated news story of 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12.30.2023
Looking back at 2023 – and ahead to 2024
We look back at the big events of 2023 and peer ahead at next year. Andrew Mueller speaks to Yossi Mekelberg, Latika Bourke and Yassmin Abdel-Magied. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12.23.2023
Power dressing
From Nelson Mandela’s colourful shirts to Madeleine Albright’s glitzy brooches, fashion has been used as a powerful tool to communicate messages on the world stage. What role does fashion play in diplomacy? Andrew Mueller speaks to Natalie Theodosi, Samantha Conti...
12.20.2023
Explainer 397: The Red Sea
As attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea continue to grow, Andrew Mueller examines what they mean for the global shipping industry, as well as order in the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12.16.2023
Power chords: music, diplomacy and geopolitics
Throughout history, music has served as an instrument of soft power, transcending divides and even catalysing the downfall of regimes. How does music shape geopolitics and international diplomacy? Andrew Mueller speaks to Reiland Rabaka, András Simonyi, Lance Price and Rhiannon...
12.13.2023
Explainer 396: Delaying democracy in Guatemala
Guatemala’s president-elect, Bernardo Arévalo, is due to be sworn into office on 14 January. However, certain powerful figures within the country seem to be doing all they can to prevent this from happening. Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
12.09.2023
Could Venezuela really invade Guyana?
Tensions rose between Venezuela and Guyana this week after Nicolas Maduro boasted an “overwhelming” people’s mandate for Caracas to exploit oil deposits in the disputed Essequibo region. What happens now? Andrew Mueller speaks to Donnette Streete, Kiana Wilburg, Christopher Sabatini...
12.06.2023
Explainer 395: The UK’s Rwanda obsession
Rwanda has gone from being a place that not many British citizens could point to on a map to becoming one of the year’s biggest buzzwords, as a result of the incumbent Conservative government. Andrew Mueller explains the obsession. See...
12.02.2023
The best of enemies
The long-running battle for the Parthenon Marbles erupted again this week between Greece and the UK. In this special episode, we explore some of the bitterest and most bizarre diplomatic disputes between otherwise amicable nations. Is the British Museum losing...
11.29.2023
Explainer 394: Democracy in a war zone
Though Ukraine’s next presidential election is scheduled to be held on 31 March 2024, Russia’s invasion of the country has created many issues that would prevent it from being truly free and fair. Andrew Mueller explains why some people think...
11.25.2023
What next for Argentina after Javier Milei’s victory?
Javier Milei shocked Argentina – and the world – after winning the country’s presidential election. So, who is Milei and what does the future hold for Argentina under an eccentric and unpredictable new leader? Andrew Mueller speaks to Ana Lankes,...
11.22.2023
George Weah concedes defeat
Liberia’s president, George Weah, has been praised for his sportsmanship after peacefully conceding the country’s election this week. Andrew Mueller explains why this is remarkable and why the football legend might have lost his position in the first place. See...
11.18.2023
What could peace look like for Israel and Palestine?
It is six weeks since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, which indiscriminately and cruelly killed about 1,200 people and prompted a brutal and unrelenting retaliatory ground insurgency led by the Israeli Defence Force. The local authority so far claims figures...
11.15.2023
Explainer 392: The return of David Cameron
Like a previously believed-to-be-dead character in a soap opera, former UK prime minister David Cameron’s episode-ending reveal on Downing Street caused an audible gasp, followed by questions of how, what, where, when and why? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
11.11.2023
Who speaks for the Arctic?
The Arctic is not simply a forbidding and fragile environment. It is a home to millions, many of whom hail from indigenous communities who have harmoniously worked with the land and sea for generations. But who actually speaks on behalf...
11.08.2023
Explainer 391: Australia and China’s hot and cold relationship
As Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, pays a visit to his Chinese counterpart, Andrew Mueller muses on the fickle relationship between the two countries over the past 50 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11.04.2023
Is Arctic exceptionalism on thin ice?
Frozen and remote, the Arctic has long been a region of relative peace and stability. Russia’s war in Ukraine, however, has significantly altered Arctic security. What are Vladimir Putin’s polar ambitions and is the militarisation of the Arctic inevitable? Andrew...
11.01.2023
Explainer 390: What is Israel’s endgame?
As the retaliatory invasion of Gaza continues, Andrew Mueller ponders on what Israel wants to achieve and what outcome is most likely. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's The Foreign Desk about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Foreign Desk episodes:

Explainer 414: Who are the Netzah Yehuda?

Delphi Economic Forum 2024

Explainer 413: Iran and Israel

Mice that roar

Explainer 412: Going for gold

Emmanuel Macron: Europe’s ‘Raging Bull’?

Explainer 411: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Islamic State: they never went away

Explainer 410: Water fight in the South China Sea

How has war changed Volodymyr Zelensky?

Explainer 409: Niger and the USA

Crisis in Haiti

Explainer 408: Another failed referendum

The future of dissent in Russia

Explainer 407: Haiti calls for aid

Wake up Europe

Explainer 406: Whither the Palestinian Authority

Munich Security Conference special edition

Explainer 405: Taliban 2.0

The other half

Explainer 404: Putsch away democracy

Indonesia’s election: what’s at stake?

Explainer 403: What’s behind the Super Bowl conspiracy?

Can the Israel-Hamas war be contained?

Explainer 402: What now for Tuvalu?

Sudan’s forgotten war

Explainer 401: Don’t rock the boat

It’s foreign policy, stupid

Explainer 400: Why is Italy’s deputy prime minister on trial?

Political pastimes

Explainer 399: Bangladesh’s one-party democracy

The best of 2023

Explainer 398: Ringing in the new year

Looking back at 2023 – and ahead to 2024

Power dressing

Explainer 397: The Red Sea

Power chords: music, diplomacy and geopolitics

Explainer 396: Delaying democracy in Guatemala

Could Venezuela really invade Guyana?

Explainer 395: The UK’s Rwanda obsession

The best of enemies

Explainer 394: Democracy in a war zone

What next for Argentina after Javier Milei’s victory?

George Weah concedes defeat

What could peace look like for Israel and Palestine?

Explainer 392: The return of David Cameron

Who speaks for the Arctic?

Explainer 391: Australia and China’s hot and cold relationship

Is Arctic exceptionalism on thin ice?

Explainer 390: What is Israel’s endgame?