The Foreign Desk

By MonocleSociety & Culture News Education Government News Commentary Politics History

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The Foreign Desk episodes

January 07, 2023 The rise of paradiplomacy
One usually thinks of diplomacy as something conducted at state level by presidents and prime ministers. But nation-states are no longer the sole actors in the international arena. Cities and sub-state governments are transforming the way we conduct foreign affairs. How does paradiplomacy work? And what makes a good paradiplomat? Andrew Mueller speaks to the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, Professor Michael Keating and Kate Sanderson, head of representation of the Faroe Islands in London.
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29 min
January 04, 2023 Explainer 347: The case against Ian Khama
Botswana’s former president Ian Khama is facing criminal charges relating to firearms, money laundering and more. Andrew Mueller explains where these accusations have come from.
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7 min
December 31, 2022 Looking back at 2022 and forward to 2023
We look back on the big events of the past 12 months and peer ahead to next year. Andrew Mueller speaks to John Everard, Aliona Hlivco, Alex von Tunzelmann and Lada Roslycky.
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32 min
December 24, 2022 Softly Does It
As Monocle’s annual Soft Power Survey hits the newsstands, we consider the established and bizarre ways that countries project themselves abroad, from panda diplomacy and royalty to the craft of culinary persuasion. Andrew Mueller speaks to Paul Jepson, Lauren Bernstein, Nic Robertson and Paul Brannagan.
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34 min
December 17, 2022 Christmas in Finland: Santa, saunas and songs
In this special Christmas episode, we head to the homeland of Santa Claus to examine some of Finland’s wonderful festive traditions. Andrew Mueller sits down with the country’s former president Tarja Halonen, Mr Claus and Markus Hippi to find out how Finns like to celebrate. Plus: Mueller gets hot and sweaty inside a sauna with Finland’s ambassador to the UK, Jukka Siukosaari.
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38 min
December 14, 2022 Explainer 346: The trial of Moussa Dadis Camara
Andrew Mueller explains why Guinea’s former leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, stands accused of involvement in a 2009 massacre.
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7 min
December 10, 2022 Qatar World Cup: a sportswashing own goal?
This year’s Fifa World Cup in Qatar has a strong claim to be the most controversial football competition ever. Amid relentless criticism over the nation’s human-rights record, has Qatar’s soft-power push backfired? Andrew Mueller speaks to Craig Foster, Shaka Hislop, Laura McAllister, Paul Brannagan and Danyel Reiche.
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41 min
December 07, 2022 Explainer 345: Is it over for Ramaphosa?
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is mired in a convoluted corruption scandal. That is not unusual for the country but, as Andrew Mueller explains, it could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
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8 min
December 03, 2022 Iran: an unstoppable movement?
For more than two months, Iran has been rocked by protests ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsi Amini at the hands of the morality police. The unrest has continued steadily as women and a disproportionately young generation seek a better way of life. Why have these protests proved so durable and will it break the regime? Andrew Mueller speaks to Ramita Navai, Negin Shiraghaei and Holly Dagres.
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34 min
November 30, 2022 Explainer 344: Cracks in a fragile China
Unrest has been brewing in China, where the threat of a heavy-handed police state is usually enough to dissuade dissent. Andrew Mueller explains why there are protests – and why now.
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8 min

About The Foreign Desk

From the publisher's feed

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…