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.
Location:
London, United Kingdom
Networks:
Monocle
Description:
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.
Language:
English
Episodes
Is a liberal Israel recoverable and might that be the key to peace?
8/16/2025
Israel was once regarded as an essentially left-wing project. Now, the country has grown more conservative, defensive and, some would argue, extreme. Is a liberal Israel recoverable? And might that lead to peace?
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Duration:00:29:59
Explainer 479: Who are the Balochistan Liberation Army and why have they suddenly attracted US attention?
8/13/2025
The Balochistan Liberation Army has been reclassified by the US as a “foreign terrorist” organisation. But why the sudden interest in a Pakistani bête noire?
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Duration:00:07:08
Is popularity in politics a thing of the past?
8/9/2025
Political leaders around the world face waning popularity and seem to be unable to change their fates. Is this the result of less effective leaders or more impatient electorates?
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Duration:00:37:39
Explainer 478: Why does Trump care about Bolsonaro?
8/6/2025
Jair Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest after breaking pre-trial rules this week as he faces charges for attempting to stage a coup. But why is Trump throwing his support behind Brazil’s former president?
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Duration:00:06:46
The catastrophe in Gaza and the prospects of a Palestinian state
8/2/2025
International pressure mounts on Israel to end its war in Gaza, which has been dubbed a “catastrophe of epic proportions” by the UN. Plus: we examine the prospect of a Palestinian state.
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Duration:00:39:51
Explainer 478: Why is Islamic State targeting the DRC?
7/30/2025
This week, militants attached to Islamic State attacked a church in Komanda, killing at least 43 people. Why is the jihadist group keen to establish itself in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
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Duration:00:06:46
Cameroon’s forgotten crisis: Is reconciliation in the Anglo-Franco schism possible?
7/26/2025
Cameroon’s 92 year-old president Paul Biya seeks re-election to extend his 43-year tenure. We investigate the long and often violent conflict in his country. Is Anglo-Franco reconciliation possible? And is anyone paying attention?
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Duration:00:39:02
Explainer 477: What is behind the violence in Syria?
7/23/2025
Andrew Mueller examines the fatal clashes between Druze and Bedouin Syrians.
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Duration:00:06:19
Explainer 476: Lesotho’s one-man fight for South African land
7/22/2025
A Lesotho MP is facing charges after accusing the country’s monarch of signing over land to its neighbour, South Africa. Andrew Mueller explains the history and prospects of this decidedly niche territorial dispute.
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Duration:00:08:03
The future of warfare
7/19/2025
From drones to radios, the war in Ukraine has rapidly accelerated technical development. In this fast-evolving landscape, what does the future of warfare hold and will humans have a role on the battlefield?
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Duration:00:34:25
Dynastic democracies
7/12/2025
Recent Filipino elections were, arguably, a political episode of family feud. We examine the creation and durability of political dynasties. Plus: a banned would-be Thai leader explains how to run against a prime minister.
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Duration:00:34:08
Explainer 475: Why has Russia recognised the Taliban?
7/9/2025
Russia has become the first country to recognise the Taliban as Afghanistan’s government. Andrew Mueller explains why.
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Duration:00:06:44
How to topple a tyrant
7/5/2025
As last year’s rapid descent of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad attests, when a dictator falls, they fall fast. But what are the conditions under which that fall occurs? And how can they be sparked?
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Duration:00:35:32
Explainer 474: Tuvalu’s climate-change escape to Australia
7/2/2025
Andrew Mueller explains the relocation ballot being offered to Tuvaluans by Australia and what’s in it for the host nation.
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Duration:00:06:32
Has the ‘12-Day War’ settled anything?
6/28/2025
Despite Trump’s assertions, the state of play between Israel and Iran remains unclear. We’re joined by Arash Azizi, Tara Kangarlou and Tom Nichols to consider the possible consequences of the past 12 days.
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Duration:00:33:55
Explainer 473: Cambodia, Thailand and phone-call warfare
6/25/2025
Andrew Mueller explains the leaked phone call scandalising Thailand in its ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.
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Duration:00:06:37
The view of Europe from Globsec Forum 2025
6/21/2025
Reporting from the Globsec Forum in Prague, we hear from guests including the host country’s foreign minister and Georgia’s president to discern how their countries are adapting to today’s security, military and political threats.
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Duration:00:41:55
Explainer 472: The furious funeral row over Zambia’s former president
6/18/2025
Andrew Mueller explains how the rivalry between the late and former president, Edgar Lungu, and the current president, Hakainde Hichilema, is going well beyond the grave.
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Duration:00:08:31
‘The Foreign Desk’ in Odesa: the international ripple effects of war in Ukraine
6/14/2025
Reporting from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Andrew Mueller talks to leaders – domestic and international – about why Ukraine’s struggle for survival matters around the globe.
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Duration:00:40:10
Explainer: Who gets to be an Italian citizen?
6/11/2025
(Some) Italians headed to the polls this week to decide who gets to be one of them. Andrew Mueller explains what’s at the heart of this debate and why apathy might have won the day.
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Duration:00:07:53