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The Foreign Desk

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Rating
★★★★★
4.5
from
105 reviews
This podcast has
103 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Monocle
Explicit
No
Date created
2013/12/19
Latest episode
2026/10/21
Average duration
24 min.
Release period
4 days

Description

​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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Check latest episodes from The Foreign Desk podcast


Explainer 540: Why are we blowing up the anti-personnel mines deal?
2026/10/21
For 27 years, the Ottawa Treaty bound international law, banning 165 countries from using anti-personnel mines. Today Russia’s neighbours are abandoning the deal. If the treaty unravels, what is the future of conflict? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?
2026/10/17
As protests bring New Delhi to a standstill, Andrew Mueller hears from Shashi Tharoor, Meenakshi Lekhi and Rahul Bedi about the demonstrations, political discontent and the challenges facing Narendra Modi’s government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Powering purpose in New Delhi
2026/10/15
Recorded at D’Monde New Delhi in association with Hitachi Energy, CEO Andreas Schierenbeck, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe and Nobel laureate Didier Queloz discuss overcoming resistance and finding fresh perspectives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 539: Why are India's 'Cockroaches' on the march again?
2026/10/14
We report live from New Delhi, where the Cockroach Janta Party is marching in protest against the government. Is the Indian capital under siege? And is this the beginning of the end for the prime minister, Narendra Modi? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Like father, like son: Are the Bolsonaros set to take Brazil or can Lula fight back?
2026/10/10
As Brazilians head back to the polls, can Lula win them back? Where did all these Bolsonaros come from? And: the regional implications if Brazil heads to the right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 538: Are Ethiopia’s enemies uniting?
2026/10/07
Rebel groups across Ethiopia are mobilising again. Is this renewed uprising simply unfinished business at home or are regional powers quietly helping to turn up the heat? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As war threatens to accelerate across Europe, why are some countries still stuck in neutral?
2026/10/03
With a major war raging on the European continent, there are a few countries that would prefer to be excused. We head to Switzerland, Austria and Ireland to examine what neutrality means today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 537: Javier Milei and the Falklands – here we go again
2026/09/30
Javier Milei is rattling Argentina’s old Falklands sabre again. But is this latest legal threat over offshore oil a serious strategy, domestic theatre or merely another chapter in history’s strangest recurring argument? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rebuilding Lebanon: Where do you even start?
2026/09/26
From Israel’s strikes in the south and attempting to disarm Hezbollah, to reinstating services and infrastructure, Lebanon’s government is in a pivotal moment. We hear from three ministers on both the headwinds and hope.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 536: What leverage would the Houthis’s seizing of Bab al-Mandab give Iran?
2026/09/23
The Iran-backed Houthis have launched their largest offensive in years, seizing key ports and islands along the Bab al-Mandab strait. What sway will this give Iran over the global economy and ending the war? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Live from the Arab Media Summit: The UAE’s new role in war and peace
2026/09/19
The United Arab Emirates’ pitch has always been: you are safe here. This year, that changed. We go to Dubai to examine how the UAE prepared for conflict and its plans for peace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 535: Could Andy Burnham be the UK’s last prime minister?
2026/09/16
This week the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a joint memorandum declaring that Westminster’s time is “coming to an end”. But is there a clear path to independence? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The firewall falls: what does the AfD’s breakthrough mean for Europe?
2026/09/12
The AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt tweaked a nerve in Germany and across Europe. We examine how it won, its leaders’ plans and the media’s role in the rise of the far right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is Jamaica asking the United Kingdom for $10bn (€8.6bn)?
2026/09/09
Explainer 534: Jamaica’s government is seeking legal guidance from King Charles on receiving reparations. What issues lie at the heart of this request? And how is London likely to respond? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Powering purpose in Stavanger
2026/09/07
A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at ONS 2026 in Stavanger, Norway. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with Arancha González Laya, Tinne Van der Straeten, Stephen Bull and Steffen Syvertsen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcast reviews

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4.5 out of 5
105 reviews
★☆☆☆☆
Dean Mack 2024/04/17
Unserious Propoganda
A mouthpiece for Israel, complete waste of time. Silly overview of a 100% successful attack by Iran against Israel, this propagandistic spin helps no ...
★★★★★
advanced yet basic errors 2024/02/22
Absolutely excellent
I find this show quite delightful. Andrew manages to humorously weave narratives while also seriously interviewing heads of state and other important ...
★★★★★
lizzie2476 2022/12/19
Discover something new or review what you know behind the scenes
My favorites female journalist Clarissa Ward recommended this podcast and I definitely give it 5/5 stars! Andrew Mueller’s voice just lends itself per...
★☆☆☆☆
nubs. 2022/01/03
What was once ‘the source’ has become typical liberal-bias
This is so sad because Andrew Mueller has been a true hero of mine, both as a journalist and commentator, for many years. But enough is enough with th...
★★★★★
Alexy Dub 2021/08/28
Asking the Right Questions
Asks why people and states do what they do from their perspective instead of our own. Seems so simple but so rare in journalism today, but is the key...
★★★★★
sciencepyar 2021/08/11
I love Monocle
I’ve been listening to podcasts for the past 5 years, I unfortunately only discovered Monocle 1 year ago. Foreign desk is awesome
★★★★☆
sjsodmeoa 2019/12/07
New sponsorship
Genuine question: how do you plan to maintain your integrity independence and credibility, while receiving sponsorship from Japanese government?
★☆☆☆☆
Generic Nickname #24601 2018/10/11
Left-Wing Sneering and Snark
Don’t expect insight: The Monocle Mutual Appreciation Society consists entirely of avowed zealots of intersectional identity politics, economic redist...
★★★★★
DaniloED 2017/02/15
More of this, please!
Informative, concise, and topical. Highly recommended!
★★★★★
CatNT 2016/09/18
Thought-provoking
This podcast engages in discussion on highly relevant but often skipped over issues with a panel of experts. Incredibly refreshing to get access to ed...
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