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The Foreign Desk

Monocle

​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 ‘Spotlight Award’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards. 

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  • 25 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 21 min
  • English

Episodes 25

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  • Today · 34 min

    Iran: Is the US out of options?

    Six months into the US’s war with Iran, is any kind of military victory possible? Or is the Strait of Hormuz the US’s Suez? Rear admiral Mark Montgomery, Bloomberg’s Dina Esfandiary and historian Stephen Wertheim discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • August 22 · 37 min

    After America: Europe’s new security order 

    As the US retreats from Nato’s “all for one, one for all” clause, Europe is forging new defence ties. Can the West hold together without Washington? Estonia’s defence minister, Hanno Pevkur, joins the debate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • August 19 · 8 min

    Explainer 531: Could Moldova reunite with Romania?

    With Moldova vulnerable to Russian pressure and EU membership still years away, could reunification with Romania offer a shortcut to greater security? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • August 12 · 7 min

    Explainer 530: Who even is Russia’s anti-war party?

    Russia’s Supreme Court has barred the country’s only anti-war party from standing in parliamentary “elections”. Does the ban reflect an uptick in anti-war support or Putin’s ever-tightening grip on power? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • August 8 · 31 min

    The Ceuta border crisis: Who’s really threatening Schengen?

    The migration crisis in Ceuta sparked a fierce response across Europe. Does it expose a genuine threat to the border-free Schengen zone or are governments using the surge for political gain? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • August 5 · 7 min

    Explainer 529: What’s driving Morocco’s Trump highway?

    Morocco confirmed this week that it has named a major highway in Western Sahara after US president Donald Trump. But what’s the strategy behind awarding Trump a personal stake in the disputed territory? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • August 1 · 42 min

    CTRL + ALT + RIGHT: Has technofascism taken over Silicon Valley?

    Thirty years ago, it was assumed that the internet would be an engine of liberal democracy. Now, Silicon Valley’s massive wealth is embracing power and promoting right-wing ideology. How did we get here? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 29 · 6 min

    Explainer 528: Does India’s Cockroach party have legs?

    India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party is scuttling onto the political stage. It has already claimed one minister’s resignation but can continued protests force the government to give up more ground? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 25 · 32 min

    How can we ensure that the politics of heatwaves doesn’t cool off?

    As Canada battles wildfires, Spain declares a national climate emergency and France evacuates tens of thousands, where do the politics around climate change stand? Is denialism gaining traction or is diplomacy winning the day? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 14 · 26 min

    Powering Purpose in London

    A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at Midori House in London. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with Gerhard Salge, Olga Rosca and Richard Nugee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 11 · 34 min

    The scramble for critical minerals

    As the global competition for minerals intensifies, we consider the geopolitics at play. How did China emerge as a dominant force? And will the DRC ever benefit from its own resources? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 8 · 7 min

    Explainer 525: You can’t keep a Le Pen down 

    Far-right French firebrand Marine Le Pen’s sentence for embezzlement was reduced this week, allowing her to stand in next year’s presidential election. But will the conviction hinder or help her campaign? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 4 · 37 min

    Does the US still have a free press? 

    As the US marks 250 years, is one of the pillars of its democracy, a free press, under threat? Guests including White House correspondent Maggie Haberman discuss the current administration’s relationship with the media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 1 · 6 min

    Explainer 524: Why is Marco Rubio trying to unify Libya? 

    This week Marco Rubio hosted the latest round of talks between rival Libyan factions in an attempt to unify the country. But what’s in it for the US secretary of state? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • June 27 · 40 min

    Live from Almedalen 2026: The state of Swedish politics

    Monocle reports from Almedalen Week, the annual political summit on the island of Gotland. We assess the state of Swedish politics in an election year, with guests including minister for gender equality Nina Larsson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Showing 1–20 of 25 episodes