The Foreign Desk

Climate change is not merely an environmental problem; it’s also a threat to security and stability, and a possible cause of conflict. Could it therefore be the case that climate security and national security are the same thing? Andrew Mueller speaks to the deputy prime minister of Luxembourg, François Bausch, Pauline Baudu and General Tom Middendorp.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US, UK and Australia have announced details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Andrew Mueller explains how we got here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Russia’s attacks on Ukraine rage on, Baltic and Balkan countries are feeling vindicated in their warnings about Putin’s intentions. For years, the regions have warned about the immediate dangers posed by Russia and now the west appears to be listening. In this special episode, Andrew Mueller speaks to the prime ministers of Lithuania and Kosovo, the president of Slovenia, the former president of Estonia and the former deputy prime minister of Latvia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An opposition candidate has been selected for the upcoming Turkish presidential election. Andrew Mueller explains who he is and how he differs from President Erdogan. 

It’s been more than a year since Finland and Sweden submitted their applications to become NATO’s 31st and 32nd members. While the two Nordic neighbours remain on the cusp of joining the alliance, Turkey and Hungary have yet to give them the green light. How long will this take? And will both nations be able to join the alliance hand-in-hand? Andrew Mueller speaks to Sweden’s minister for foreign affairs, Tobias Billström; Finland’s minister for foreign affairs, Pekka Haavisto; Norway’s minister for foreign affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt; and the former prime minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past year, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has been removing self-governing rights from Disney World and imposing government oversight on the parks. Andrew Mueller explains why.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, recorded at the Munich Security Conference, Andrew Mueller sits down with the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, Iceland’s minister for foreign affairs, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, and the president of Open Society Foundations, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, has warned of a Russian plot to overthrow her government. Andrew Mueller explains why this is possible and how Moldova is trying to keep Moscow at bay.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next week voters in Africa’s most populous nation will head to the polls to elect a new president. What are the main issues dominating the election and how will it impact the wider region? Andrew Mueller speaks to Aanu Adeoye, Leena Koni Hoffmann and Dipo Faloyin.

Andrew Mueller explains Benjamin Netanyahu’s dramatic shift towards Israel’s judiciary, leading to mass protests.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.