The Foreign Desk

We look back through the archives to tell the story of a tumultuous year, from Donald Trump’s erratic presidency and troubles in the Middle East to the rise and fall of populism in Europe and some questionable referendums.

With Jacob Zuma set to step down as leader of the ANC, Andrew Mueller looks at his replacement and asks if he’s got what it takes to make the ANC deserve its mandate?

This week all eyes were on Alabama. An election that would normally go unnoticed – even by a good number of the state’s inhabitants – became a litmus test for politics in the US. But was Democrat Doug Jones’ victory over the controversial Republican Roy Moore a one-off or is something changing in the South? Andrew Mueller is joined by Michael Harriot, Bob Davis, Joshua Rothman and Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood.

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s drive for liberalisation in Saudi Arabia continued this week with the announcement that, after 35 years, cinemas will finally be allowed to operate in the country. Although this push should be welcomed, Andrew Mueller asks if the prince’s motives need to be questioned.

The war in Yemen has been long, complicated and devastating for the people that live there. But is the death this week of former leader and Arab strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh a catalyst for positive change or the start of yet more turmoil? Andrew Mueller is joined by Kamal Al-Solaylee, Iona Craig and Osamah Al-Rawhani.

The UK’s former foreign secretary and the head of the IRC, David Miliband, talks to Andrew Mueller about his new book ‘Rescue’, the refugee crisis and foreign intervention.

Despite boasting about its diversity and multiculturalism, Canada still has a long way to go to repair relations with the communities that lived on the land long before the settlers arrived. Toronto bureau chief Tomos Lewis asks what else Justin Trudeau has to do to set right the past.

At some point, be it soon or not, Vladimir Putin will stop being the president of Russia. But after 18 years at the top and no clear line of succession, is it possible to imagine what that Russia might look like – and who or what could even replace him? Andrew Mueller is joined by Masha Gessen, Mark Galeotti, Mikhail Zygar and Vladimir Kara-Murza.

With Nepal’s landmark general election heading into the next stage, Hong Kong bureau chief James Chambers explains why Kathmandu’s towering neighbours, China and India, are watching closely.

Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule has come to an end amid jubilation at home and relief abroad. Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as the new president of Zimbabwe and faces the daunting task of rebuilding the country – and of meeting the hopes and expectations of its residents. Andrew Mueller asks what the future holds for Zimbabwe and how Zimbabweans will adjust.