The Foreign Desk

Andrew Mueller explains how the most recent Catalonian elections show that voters’ nationalist appetites may be waning. 

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Olaf Scholz visited the First German Brigade, which is stationed in Lithuania as part of Berlin’s new commitment to defend the Baltic states. But is Nato ready for Russia’s next move? We speak with Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Marion Messmer of Chatham House and General Richard Shirreff, former deputy supreme allied commander at Nato.

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Panama has voted José Raúl Mulino as its new president. Andrew Mueller explains how, in reality, the endorsement belongs to his disqualified running mate, Ricardo Martinelli – a convicted criminal hiding under diplomatic asylum.

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Why do leaders resign early? We speak with Pat Leahy of ‘The Irish Times’, Jacinda Ardern’s former chief of staff Raj Nahna, former Armenian president Armen Sarkissian, and historian Alex von Tunzelmann for a look at quitters through history.

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As UN peacekeepers are being forced to leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Andrew Mueller speculates on the future of peacekeeping operations. 

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How has the war in Ukraine affected EU integration? And has Europe’s political and strategic centre shifted eastward? We speak to former Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven about the EU’s parliamentary elections, and to Romanian and Moldovan officials about the bloc’s enduring appeal. Plus: Anand Menon of King’s College London on whether the UK regrets leaving.

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Andrew Mueller explains why the US government is placing sanctions on an ultra-Orthodox group of soldiers within the IDF. 

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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 of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy.

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Andrew Mueller explains why Iran delivered a missile strike against Israel and the potential ramifications. 

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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 reports. What are the advantages of being a small state? How can they make their voices heard? And what is it like to lead one? Andrew Mueller speaks to Armen Sarkissian, Sim Ann and Anett Numa. 

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