The Foreign Desk

Air India’s crew has been asked to bark patriotic exclamations at the end of cabin announcements. Andrew Mueller explores a strange new manifestation of Narendra Modi’s nationalism as India’s election approaches.

There is probably no period in history more discussed than the Second World War. Every country involved suffered but Allied nations were able to console themselves that their losses were sustained in a noble cause. It hasn’t been as straightforward for the nations they defeated. In the first part of our series on living with uncomfortable pasts Andrew Mueller is joined by Jennifer Lind, Michael Sontheimer and Shihoko Goto to discuss whether Germany and Japan are reconciled to their histories.

Why has Japan’s prime minister Shinzo Abe promised to push ahead with a controversial plan to relocate the US military base on the island of Okinawa, despite an overwhelming referendum result to the contrary? Monocle 24’s Rhys James explains.

As Brexit draws nearer, British politics is facing another shake-up. This week, several members of both the Conservative and Labour parties left the government and opposition benches to form a new Independent Group. Andrew Mueller, Nina Schick, Sean Kemp and one of those very MPs, Chris Leslie, ask whether centrism could be the antidote to today’s fractured politics.

How did Australia’s infamous asylum-seeker policies begin? Ben Rylan explains how the Tampa Affair in 2001 radically shifted the nation’s politics.

Sudan’s cities have been gripped in recent months by large-scale demonstrations, originally sparked by an increase in the price of bread. Now some are demanding the departure of long-time president Omar al-Bashir. Since independence in 1956, Sudan’s people have overthrown two military dictators – could al-Bashir be next? Andrew Mueller is joined by Nesrine Malik, Magdi El-Gizouli and Phil Clark.

Spain’s government has hit a dead end on its budget reforms, meaning a snap election looks all but certain. Will this help secure a fresh mandate for PM Pedro Sánchez or will it create less stability in the already fractured parliament?

Russia’s slow but steady spread across Africa has hardly gone unnoticed. Its projects include precious metals, diamonds, oil and nuclear research, as well as arms trading and military training. But is Russia just in it for the resources and economic gains or is there something else at stake? Andrew Mueller is joined by Henry Foy, Nastassia Astrasheuskaya, Anzetse Were and Alex Vines.

As the UK prepares to leave the EU, those caught in the crossfire are starting to feel understandably irritated that the government isn't getting its act together.

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has long outstayed his welcome – and it appears that the world’s patience is wearing thin, as countries and institutions begin recognising a rival leader. Andrew Mueller is joined by Lucinda Elliot, Francisco Toro and Stephen Kinzer as we ask if Maduro’s time is finally up.