The Foreign Desk

As the US abandons its role as global leader, which countries are seeing an opportunity to fill the vacuum? In this episode Monocle’s editor in chief Tyler Brûlé talks to Nader Mousavizadeh, co-founder and co-CEO of Macro Advisory Partners to take a global look at the pandemic and how it's reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

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If we date modern multilateralism from the founding of the League of Nations, it is an idea which celebrates its hundredth birthday this year. As the world attempts to tackle a global crisis, what have our multilateral institutions learned? Andrew Mueller is joined by Sarah Cliffe, Edward Girardet and John Everard.

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Andrew Mueller discusses an unusual election in the post-Soviet breakaway state of Abkhazia.

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Andrew Mueller discusses an unusual election in the post-Soviet breakaway state of Abkhazia.

The Covid-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health emergency but it is also an economic crisis. Economist Vicky Pryce and finance analyst Louise Cooper measure the potential recession and discuss possible solutions, while former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd outlines how to lead a country through an economic shock.

The militaries of Kenya and Somalia have been clashing back and forth across the border between the two countries. But is the real reason for the dispute off the coast they share?

Even by Saudi Arabia’s own Shakespearean standards of palace intrigue, this past week has been extraordinary. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has arrested at least two of his royal relatives, along with other officials and military officers. Are these just the latest steps in MBS’s procession towards the throne, or is something else going on? And if MBS does become king, what kind of king will he be?

Andrew Mueller explains why Russia is waging an oil war with Saudi Arabia.

Nearly 19 years after invading Afghanistan, the US has agreed a peace deal with the Taliban. But is that really going to be an end to it? And will the US ever try anything similar again? Andrew Mueller is joined by Belquis Ahmadi and David Kilcullen.

Last weekend Israelis went to the polls for the third time in less than a year. Andrew Mueller looks at Benjamin Netanyahu’s chances of staying in office – and out of prison.