The Foreign Desk
Monocle
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About This Podcast
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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Recent Episodes
Explainer 521: Trump Island
Ivanka Trump has revealed extensive plans to redevelop Albanian island Sazan into a luxury resort. But after thousands gathered in protest, will it go ahead?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
Lessons from Odesa: the changing landscape of war
Live from the Black Sea Security Forum, we hear stories from both the front line and surrounding regions in the war against Russia, including senator Ruben Gallego and Salomé Zourabichvili, fifth…
Explainer 520: Is it the end of the road for Ferrari’s new electric vehicle?
Italians are up in arms about the newly unveiled Ferrari Luce, the luxury carmaker’s first electric vehicle. But why the controversy? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
Upping the ante: How prediction markets are shaking geopolitics
The rapid rise of prediction markets is prompting questions about their influence on politics, military operations and the way we consume news. We discuss with guests including PredictIt founder John…
Explainer 519: Why Morocco and Senegal’s football rivalry is the one to watch this World Cup
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned 15 Senegalese football fans ahead of the World Cup. But what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations final to trigger their arrest? See omnystudio.com/listener…
The Cuban man-made crisis: will the US’s maximum-pressure campaign topple Havana’s government?
Cubans are facing a nightmarish humanitarian crisis – and Washington is piling on the pressure. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has long dreamed of regime change on the island. But will it happen?…
Explainer 518: Duterte vs Marcos in the latest episode of Filipino Family Feud
The feud between the Philippines’ most powerful political dynasties continues. This week, vice-president Sara Duterte was impeached. Andrew Mueller unpacks the latest turn in the country’s ongoing…
The rise of the middle powers
As great powers become increasingly unstable and unpredictable, smaller nations are building alliances and trade deals. Guests including Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, consider whether we have…
Explainer 517: How the revival of gerrymandering is hurting democracy
What is gerrymandering and why is its recent revival bad for US democracy? Andrew Mueller explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Live from Delphi: Can Europe remake itself into a superpower?
As Europe contends with the multiplying conflicts on its doorstep and the withdrawal of US protection, can the continent make itself into a modern superpower? Paolo Gentiloni, Mikhail Kasyanov and…
Explainer 516: Are Albertans about to leave Canada?
Who are the separatists campaigning for a vote of independence in Alberta, Canada? And how real is the threat? Andrew Mueller explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Live from Delphi: Can the US and Europe find a way back?
This year’s Delphi Economic Forum was the stage for much contemplation over Europe’s relationship with the US. Does anyone, even his own supporters, understand President Trump? We hear from Peter…
Explainer 515: Has King Charles saved the special relationship?
Given Donald Trump’s fondness for royalty, who better than King Charles III to smooth US-UK tensions? Andrew Mueller considers whether the current state visit has delivered a diplomatic win for…
Live from Delphi: Europe breaks with the US over the war in Iran
Live from the Delphi Economic Forum: The war in Iran’s impact as seen from Iraqi Kurdistan, the US and Estonia. Is there a strategy to resolve the conflict? Then: has the war turned cracks in the…
Explainer 514: Why is Teddy Afro’s music roiling Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed?
Ethiopian superstar Teddy Afro has taken aim at the country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, in new song “Das Tal”. What’s being protested and should Ahmed be concerned ahead of general elections?See…
From Maga to Orbán: The cracks emerging in the global right
In recent years, the rise of the right has seemed unstoppable. But are rifts among US Republicans over Iran and the fall of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán a sign that the tide is turning?See…
Explainer 513: Why does Viktor Orbán’s defeat matter?
Despite a relatively small population and limited economic power, Hungary’s general election result, turning out far-right prime minister Viktor Orbán in favour of conservative Péter Magyar, has…
Operation Epic Fury: Is that it?
A ceasefire has been announced between Iran, the US and Israel, but are all parties in agreement on the terms? Who is the victor? And what did Operation Epic Fury actually achieve?See…
Explainer 512: Why is JD Vance in Hungary?
US vice-president JD Vance is in Hungary to bolster its prime minister, Viktor Orbán, ahead of elections this weekend. The VP accused the EU of “foreign election interference” – but why is he getting…
As the war in Iran enters its second month, is victory for anyone still possible?
Iran’s regime is battered but intact and holding the Strait of Hormuz while the US is militarily dominant but strategically stagnant. Is victory for anyone still possible? Do realistic off-ramps…
Frequently Asked Questions
The Foreign Desk has published 100 episodes since July 2025, covering topics in Education, Government.
The Foreign Desk is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 21m.
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