The Foreign Desk

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Poland has been one of Ukraine’s biggest allies since the full-scale invasion by Russia. But will that continue after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s controversial tribute? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mexico has made a promising start on the pitch but what other victories is the nation eyeing up? Andrew Mueller is joined by former ambassador to the US Arturo Sarukhán, among others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Fifa faces reports of unsold tickets, one seat at France’s World Cup matches is being deliberately left empty. But why? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from the Black Sea Security Forum, we hear from Ukrainian MPs on the country’s future and the state of warfare. As Ukraine fights on, it has shifted from needing aid to providing new intelligence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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 president of Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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 Aristotle Phillips. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 for privacy information.

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? We head to Havana for the picture on the ground. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 political saga.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 entered the age of the middle power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is gerrymandering and why is its recent revival bad for US democracy? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 more weigh in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 Baker and others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 palace soft power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Transatlantic relationship into serious fault lines? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.