The Foreign Desk

The terrorist detention facility is arguably the most controversial prison in the world. Obama proclaimed he’d close it; Trump swore to add to it. Neither got what they wanted. Why? And what can Biden do with it now?

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​In the wake of widespread winter protests across Russia, we look at how Alexei Navalny became the figurehead for opposition to Vladimir Putin. Are the ongoing protests building momentum? And, if so, is real change becoming more likely? Andrew Mueller is joined by Nataliya Vasilyeva, Andrei Kolesnikov and Mark Galeotti.

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Somalia failed to hold elections before the term of incumbent president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ended on Monday. Andrew Mueller explains the ramifications for the already fragile country.

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On Monday morning, the military seized control of Myanmar and detained the country’s elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, along with other politicians. The international community responded with condemnation and threats of consequences. But what do we actually mean by “the international community”? What power does it have? And do Myanmar’s generals – or anyone else – really care what it thinks? Andrew Mueller is joined by Aye Min Thant, Daniel Russel and Paul Rogers.

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The Trump era is over but congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has sprinted forward to take the baton. Is the GOP able to distance itself from her QAnon conspiracy theories or is her popularity too valuable? Andrew Mueller explains.

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Ten years after Egyptians rose up against long-ruling dictator Hosni Mubarak during the first hopeful weeks of the Arab Spring, we look at why it didn’t work out as the protesters might have hoped and ask if the energy of Egypt’s revolution is still alive anywhere. Andrew Mueller is joined by Nancy Okail, Ahmed Naji and Lyse Doucet.

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Andrew Mueller looks back on the eventful life of Ghana’s longest-serving president.

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Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, has been declared the winner in a general election. We look at what it means for the future of Ugandan politics and the country's youthful population. What will Museveni’s sixth term look like? And where does this leave his opponent, Bobi Wine, and his supporters? Plus: a short history of Museveni’s rise to power. Andrew Mueller is joined by Angelo Izama, Ingrid Nantege and Frederick Golooba-Mutebi.

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A migrant caravan travelling from Central America to the US has been halted by military personnel in Guatemala, prompting speculation about the success of future migrations under the Biden administration. Andrew Mueller explains.

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As coronavirus vaccine programmes begin rolling out around the world, we explore a nation’s duties, interests and opportunities to do it quickly and efficiently. What is a government’s duty towards its citizens – and, in a global crisis, to the world? Who should get it first? And how might vaccines be used to pursue national and diplomatic advantages? Andrew Mueller asks Arthur Caplan, Sarah Wheaton and Allison Kaplan Sommer.

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