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PODCAST

The Foreign Desk

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.

news politics

All Episodes

8:05

Explainer 485: The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/09/17

As information about Charlie Kirk’s killer slowly begins to emerge, the Republican Party’s response has been far more prompt. Andrew Mueller assesses the fallout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

32:03

White House vs City Hall

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/09/13

Following President Trump’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles and Washington, cities across the US are bracing themselves. What is he trying to accomplish? And how can a city mayor prepare for it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:07

Explainer 484: Nepal’s war on social media

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/09/10

As many as 22 people are dead and hundreds injured in Nepal during riots against corruption and a social media ban. But is the government’s ruling as pure-hearted as they want it to appear? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

37:52

Does the immigration debate have to be like this?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/09/06

As the right engages in fearmongering and the left struggles with coherent messaging, can immigration be reformed? Is shutting the door effective? And how does anyone win against those who want to shut it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:06

Explainer 483: Labour’s England flag frenzy

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/09/03

There has been an uptick in St George’s flags festooned on buildings and spray-painted over road signs in England. But why, despite right-wing associations, is Labour endorsing the practice?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

29:54

Shadow boxing in the Caribbean: Why is the US...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/09/01

The US Navy sets sail for Venezuela. What does president Trump hope to accomplish with this gunboat diplomacy? How has president Maduro clung to power and will the US ever leave South America alone?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:39

Explainer 481: Why has Australia thrown out Iran’s...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/27

For the first time ever, Australia has expelled an ambassador. But why is Iran’s Ahmad Sadeghi packing his bags and what does it have to do with antisemitic attacks?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

32:50

Who will run the world if the US doesn’t want to...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/23

As president Trump’s isolationist leanings become US foreign policy, is the era of the American hegemony over? Did the US lead us somewhere worthwhile? And if the US recedes, who steps up?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:02

Explainer 480: Myanmar and the perks of posing as a...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/20

Myanmar’s military, which has held power since 2021, has announced a general election for later this year. Has Myanmar suddenly become a democracy? Or is something else afoot?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

29:59

Is a liberal Israel recoverable and might that be the...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/16

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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:08

Explainer 479: Who are the Balochistan Liberation...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/13

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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

37:39

Is popularity in politics a thing of the past?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/09

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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:46

Explainer 478: Why does Trump care about Bolsonaro?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/06

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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

39:51

The catastrophe in Gaza and the prospects of a...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/08/02

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:46

Explainer 478: Why is Islamic State targeting the DRC?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/07/30

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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

39:02

Cameroon’s forgotten crisis: Is reconciliation in the...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/07/26

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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:19

Explainer 477: What is behind the violence in Syria?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/07/23

Andrew Mueller examines the fatal clashes between Druze and Bedouin Syrians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:03

Explainer 476: Lesotho’s one-man fight for South...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/07/22

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

34:25

The future of warfare

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/07/19

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?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

34:08

Dynastic democracies

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/07/12

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

300 results

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