The Foreign Desk

After the election of US president Donald Trump in 2016 and Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a consensus has formed that Europe needs to do more – and spend more – to look after itsel…

As Germany enforces tougher checks on all its borders, Andrew Mueller questions what this will mean for the Schengen Area. 

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The first edition in our special series recorded at the Globsec Forum in Prague. We hear a selection of highlights including an insight into defending a country during active conflict with Ukraine’s …

Andrew Mueller explains why Brazil has banned the social media platform X. 

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Amid this year’s elections, protests, frustrations and rise in authoritarianism, we explore what centrism really stands for – and whether it is on the march or in retreat. Andrew Mueller speaks with …

Andrew Mueller explains why the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah seems to have peaked – and promptly fizzled out – over the weekend. 

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We explore how the US-Israel relationship has shifted over 10 months of war in Gaza and a change at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket. How might Kamala Harris approach the crisis differen…

Andrew Mueller explains why Vladimir Putin fancies himself as a peacemaker between Azerbaijan and Armenia while his own country wages war. 

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How has Elon Musk reshaped political discourse and how much power does he have compared to the media barons of the past? Andrew Mueller explores the relationship between technology companies and gove…

As peace talks are set to begin in Geneva regarding Sudan’s year-long conflict, Andrew Mueller asks whether optimism about their success is foolhardy. 

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The Olympics provided some welcome respite for Emmanuel Macron and the French from their political headache. Have they learned anything about unity from the Games? In part two of our broadcasts live …

Andrew Mueller explains why Mali has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine. 

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The Olympics have never been just about the sports. We explore what it means for athletes to represent their countries, the mood in France and the history of boycotts and other geopolitical moments a…

As Ukraine prepares to receive some of the F-16s promised by Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark, Andrew Mueller asks whether such a small number this late in the war can actually make a dif…

Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, faces a real challenge to his presidency this weekend, with a united opposition of Edmundo González and María Corina Machado campaigning for victory. What will …

Andrew Mueller explains why there have been deadly protests across Bangladesh. 

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In this special episode, recorded partially in Washington during the Nato Summit, we take a look at the United States’ willingness and ability to assume its traditional role as leader of the free wor…

Ohio senator JD Vance has been announced as Donald Trump’s running mate and potential vice-president. Andrew Mueller explains his background and the likely reasons for his nomination. 

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‘The Foreign Desk’ broadcasts from Washington for Nato’s 75th anniversary summit, with Joe Biden playing host under an intense spotlight. Andrew Mueller speaks to ministers from Estonia, Latvia and M…

Andrew Mueller explains why the West African junta have turned their back on Ecowas and what it means for the bloc.

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