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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

41:55

The view of Europe from Globsec Forum 2025

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/06/21

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:31

Explainer 472: The furious funeral row over Zambia’s...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/06/18

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

40:10

‘The Foreign Desk’ in Odesa: the international ripple...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/06/14

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:53

Explainer: Who gets to be an Italian citizen?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/06/11

(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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

38:09

Odesa, the Black Sea, the front line and Ukraine’s...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/06/07

Andrew Mueller reports from the Black Sea Security Forum, asking why Odesa matters beyond Ukraine’s borders and how Ukrainians have managed to keep fighting more than three years into Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:16

Explainer 470: The on-again, off-again US-Iran...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/06/04

Andrew Mueller unpacks the latest round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, asks why Trump is now eager after rejecting the previous deal and why Iran has fewer cards to play than in the Obama years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

36:18

Are journalists safe?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/31

At least 124 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024, about two-thirds of whom were Palestinian. Why is reporting becoming more dangerous and what can we do to protect journalists?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:46

Explainer 469: Who are India’s Maoists?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/28

Indian security forces killed 27 rebels this week, including a top Maoist leader. This week, Andrew Mueller explains the nearly half-century long conflict between the state and the Communist Party of India (Maoist).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

31:55

Why does Russia still have influence in eastern Europe?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/24

While eyes are fixed on Ukraine, Putin’s influence continues to spread across eastern Europe, with many countries seeing a rise in far-right parties with Soviet-era sympathies. But why is this a winning policy?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:39

Explainer 468: Tantrum or tactic? Why has Australia’s...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/21

After a humiliating general election defeat, Australia’s National Party has bid farewell to its coalition partners of more than 60 years. But what is behind this seemingly self-defeating manoeuvre?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

32:01

Does the dream of a Kurdish state end with the PKK?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/17

After 40 years of war with Turkey, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) lay down their arms. So, where does that leave hopes for a sovereign Kurdish state? Or ambitions for a more democratic Turkey?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:08

Explainer 467: Why does Qatar want to gift Trump a jet?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/14

President Trump is currently fielding accusations of corruption after being offered a $400m (€356m) jet by the Qatari royal family. While the US grapples with the ethics, we explain what’s in it for Qatar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

33:53

The Trump factor

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/10

To what extent can the centre-left’s landslide victories in Australia and Canada be attributed to Trump? And will the opposite be true in upcoming elections in Eastern Europe?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:29

Explainer 466: What actually happens during a papal ...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/07

As the eligible cardinals assemble at the Vatican, Andrew Mueller explains the expected and unexpected goings on during a papal conclave.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

40:42

The most extraordinary first 100 days of any US...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/05/03

Trump’s first 100 days have been busy. But what has he actually achieved? And what can we expect from the next 1,360 days? We are joined by experts to assess five policy areas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:45

Explainer 465: Who is behind the terrorist attack on...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/04/30

The fraught history of India and Pakistan’s seemingly perpetual fight over Kashmir.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

27:34

Live from Delphi: What’s brewing in the Eastern...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/04/26

With the change of the past 12 months, we ask experts: what does Turkey want in the Eastern Mediterranean? Is Cyprus actually solvable? And do we understand how the Middle East is being reshaped?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:30

Explainer 464: The threats facing Ecuador: real or...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/04/23

Ecuadorian officials have placed the country on high alert, claiming imminent terrorist attacks and presidential assassination attempts. There is, however, very little evidence of these dangers. This week, Andrew Mueller explains whether the threats in Ecuador are real, invented, politicised or all the above.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

34:09

Live from Delphi: has the sun set on the...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/04/19

In fewer than 100 days in power, Donald Trump has upended his country’s historic alliance with Europe, told the continent that it can no longer rely on security guarantees from the US and launched a trade war that threatens the global economy. Reporting from the Delphi Economic Forum, we spoke with attendees with experience at the Pentagon, Nato, the US Army and more about whether the sun is setting on the transatlantic relationship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:02

Explainer 463: Why is a UK MP facing corruption...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/04/16

Nepo-corruption or a politically motivated smear? Andrew Mueller explains why Bangladesh has issued a warrant for the arrest of UK MP Tulip Siddiq.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

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