The Foreign Desk
Monocle · Winkontent Ltd. 759286
Show overview
The Foreign Desk launched in 2025 and has put out 111 episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 40 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a several-times-a-week cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 7 min and 34 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language News show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 40 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Winkontent Ltd. 759286.
From the publisher
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.
Latest Episodes
View all 111 episodesExplainer 517: How the revival of gerrymandering is hurting democracy
Live from Delphi: Can Europe remake itself into a superpower?
Explainer 516: Are Albertans about to leave Canada?
Live from Delphi: Can the US and Europe find a way back?
Explainer 515: Has King Charles saved the special relationship?
Live from Delphi: Europe breaks with the US over the war in Iran
Explainer 514: Why is Teddy Afro’s music roiling Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed?
From Maga to Orbán: The cracks emerging in the global right
Explainer 513: Why does Viktor Orbán’s defeat matter?
Operation Epic Fury: Is that it?
Explainer 512: Why is JD Vance in Hungary?
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 exist?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 511: Why is Germany telling Syrians to return home?
At a joint press conference this week, chancellor Friedrich Merz and president Ahmed al-Sharaa encouraged Syrians to return home. But who benefits from the plan?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why has Israel invaded Lebanon?
Israel has invaded Lebanon, again. With more than 1,000 people killed and 1.2 million displaced, many fear a return to civil war. What does Israel want from this? Does Lebanon have any options?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 510: From Angola with love: are there Russian spies in southern Africa?
This week two Russians are on trial in Angola, accused of espionage. Has the southern African nation been infiltrated by foreign spies or are they scapegoats for a failing government? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The war in Iran: the global fallout
The consequences of the US-Israel war in Iran are rippling around the world. Can Volodymyr Zelensky retain focus on the war in Ukraine? Will an already fragile Nato splinter? Is this the end of rules-based order? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 509: Is Cuba next on Trump’s hit list?
Despite the ongoing military strikes in Iran, Donald Trump has been sizing up his next potential conquest: Cuba. But could, would and should he actually strike the country? Andrew Mueller explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iran: Are the US and Israel fighting the same war?
The US and Israel have a shared target in Iran but do they have the same goals? We discuss with guests including John Bolton and Nate Swanson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explainer 508: How did rapper Balen become prime minister of Nepal?
Rapper turned politician Balendrah Shah was elected Nepal’s prime minister this week. Andrew Mueller traces his political ascent, fuelled by last year’s Gen-Z protests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Foreign Desk Exclusive: Canada prime minister Mark Carney on the new world order
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.