The Foreign Desk

Canada’s Mark Carney sits down with Monocle’s editorial director and chairman, Tyler Brûlé, to discuss how middle powers can shape the future, the importance of a national brand and finding opportunities in global disorder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Dubai, New York and Jerusalem for the latest developments as the war in Iran grips the Gulf. How are civilians faring? How is the US explaining this war? Is an off-ramp possible? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the world’s eyes are on Iran, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have flared into open conflict. What is driving the latest escalation? Andrew Mueller explains.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US senator Lisa Murkowski, Kosovo’s prime minister Albin Kurti and French minister delegate for European affairs Benjamin Haddad discuss whether Europe is ready to become a global leader as the transatlantic relationship frays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the killing of “El Mencho”, head of CJNG drug cartel, lead to tourists being trapped in Puerto Vallarta? Plus: How does this fit in with President Sheinbaum’s domestic policy and her relationship with Donald Trump? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a bruising year following JD Vance’s speech at the last Munich Security Conference, we discuss the state of relations between Europe and the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded before the Munich Security Conference. Andrew Mueller and Carlota Rebelo discuss the energy transition with Hitachi Energy’s Maxine Ghavi; Markus Blume, Bavarian state minister for science and art; Prof Wolfgang Herrmann; and Bianca Rech, the director of FC Bayern Women. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was not allowed to compete in a helmet decorated with pictures of athletes killed in the war with Russia. But is it really true that the Olympics are apolitical?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte awaits trial in The Hague, we consider the difficulties around prosecuting individual leaders. Does it work as a deterrent for governments? And what is it like to defend one? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Despite having a British passport, the UK’s response has been limited. Andrew Mueller explains China’s latest blow to free press.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the 1979 hostage crisis to strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, US-Iran tensions have simmered for decades. But are Trump’s latest threats against the ayatollahs serious? Or will imminent talks in Muscat cool the discord? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Given Trump’s recent, more combative approach to foreign policy, it was surprising to see the US extend the hand of friendship to West Africa’s military dictators this week. So what’s behind this new alliance? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One month on from US forces seizing the now former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, its impact still remains unclear. Will Caracas’s new leader bring any real change? Is Trump’s aversion to foreign entanglements over? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, General Johnson Olony, deputy chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, ordered troops to “spare no one”. Andrew Mueller unpacks the two-man power struggle at the top and how it continues to fuel civil war. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The Foreign Desk’ reports from Nuuk as Trump’s threat of force grips Greenland. Is Nuuk closer now to Copenhagen or is independence more important than ever? Can the damage done to Nato be repaired? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland in any way explainable? Andrew Mueller does his best to try.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As President Trump completes the first year of his second term, we take stock. Is there a plan underpinning the chaos – or is chaos the plan? And what will the next three years hold? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only Malaysia and Indonesia have threatened a ban on X unless its AI assistant, Grok, stops producing sexually explicit content. Why is the rest of the world staying silent? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller and our expert panel discuss the key issues to keep an eye on in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump has pledged to ‘run’ Venezuela after US forces captured its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Is this the beginning of a tripolar world between the US, China and Russia? And should Greenland, Cuba and Colombia be on edge? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most notable world events that we explained in 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller reflects on some of his favourite, and most impactful, conversations from the year on 'The Foreign Desk' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller and our expert panel look back at the world events that shaped 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lithuania has been beleaguered by balloons drifting into its airspace from neighbouring Belarus. What are the military advantages of this seemingly whimsical mode of transportation? And how severe is the threat? Andrew Mueller explains.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s assertion that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a threat to her nation’s survival has spurred a crisis between Tokyo and Beijing. Can de-escalation be achieved? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.