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The Foreign Desk

Monocle
Power Dressing
Sudan
Ukraine
Nelson Mandela
Zelensky
Michelle Obama
Tuvalu
Italy
Women's Wear Daily
Hamas
Israel
Australia
China
Russia
Climate Change
Middle East
G20
United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission In Mali
Bangladesh
Matteo Salvini

​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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes103Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryPoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

The most notable world events that we explained in 2025.

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Andrew Mueller reflects on some of his favourite, and most impactful, conversations from the year on 'The Foreign Desk'

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YouTube

Andrew Mueller and our expert panel look back at the world events that shaped 2025.

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YouTube

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.

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Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Vladimir Karametsa
Russian dissident reflecting on political change in Russia
Episode: The best of 2025
Guyath Alomari
Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute and former Palestinian negotiator
Washington Institute
Episode: The best of 2025
Salome Zurabichvili
President of Georgia describing political repression and foreign policy challenges
Government of Georgia
Episode: The best of 2025
Mamuka Mamoulashvili
Commander of the Georgian Legion advocating for support to Ukraine
Georgian Legion
Episode: The best of 2025
Steve Chang
Director of the SOAS China Institute
SOAS
Episode: Could Taiwan draw the US, China and Japan into war?
Yuka Roya
Journalist for France 24
France 24
Episode: Could Taiwan draw the US, China and Japan into war?
Ava Pashover
Japan Chair at the Center for Security Diplomacy and Strategy of the Brussels School of Governance
Brussels School of Governance
Episode: Could Taiwan draw the US, China and Japan into war?
Martin Smith
Correspondent and documentary maker, producer of PBS front line film Syria After Assad.
PBS
Episode: One year on from the toppling of the Assad regime, how far has Syria’s revolution come?
Bertu Öschelik
Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Security at RUSI.
RUSI
Episode: One year on from the toppling of the Assad regime, how far has Syria’s revolution come?

Host

Andrew Mueller
Host known for incisive commentary and engaging interviews, brings a wealth of journalism experience to discussions on foreign affairs.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 839 ratings
  • Intersting but not exactly unbiased

    A very interesting approach and informative .But some of the language used didn’t seem unbiased .Is this meant to be his Personal opinion with no attempt at a non biased journalistic Approach?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    veganman1961
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • It’s my go-to

    Very much enjoy the foreign desk, it’s my go to for long journeys in the car, of which there are many. Top level guests, a refreshing and enlightened slant with just the perfect dash of charisma. Love it. Thanks guys keep it up x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJHumphries
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Always brilliant

    A wonderful mix of clever wit, dry humour and incisive insight. Thank you Robert.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jim in Zug
    Switzerlanda year ago
  • 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 one but extremist pro-Israeli radicals.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dean Mack
    United States2 years ago
  • Just a bit tired of Andrew’s sardonique

    The daily, the foreign desk and his roundup are getting a bit tired. Maybe that vibe on one, but all of them all the time? Chill it out. We know you’re witty. Take a day off, mate! love you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jdjej sje
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging style, with many finding it both entertaining and informative.
Some listeners express concerns about perceived biases, while many argue that the discussions maintain a critical stance towards prevailing narratives.
Positive feedback often highlights the host's unique ability to blend humor with serious topics, making difficult themes more accessible.
The series is noted for its high-quality guests and thoughtful insights on world affairs.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#114
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#124
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#82
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#189
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#233
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#244
France/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The best of 2025
Q: What would you like to hear the EU say about Georgia?
The EU needs to qualify what's happening in Georgia as a challenge to its foreign policy.
The best of 2025
Q: Is a Palestinian state still actually possible?
A Palestinian state is necessary and possible, although political challenges exist.
What do Russians really think of Putin?
Q: What does it feel like to stand in the dock of a Russian courtroom and be told you're going to do 25 years?
It was surreal, a recognition of political opposition work amidst a distorted reality in Russia.
What do Russians really think of Putin?
Q: Did you get a sense though of what those Russians who support the war actually think about it?
Yes, those who support the war fully believe in the Kremlin's narrative and often don't refer to it as a war.
What do Russians really think of Putin?
Q: Was there a difference between what you expected to find when you went back home and what you actually found when you got there?
There was a significant difference; Yekaterinburg seemed to be thriving and clean, which was surprising given the context of the war.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Foreign Desk

What is The Foreign Desk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This audio series offers a comprehensive examination of global affairs, tackling significant geopolitical issues and events with a balanced mix of humor and insight. Listeners can expect discussions revolving around urgent topics like international conflicts, political uprisings, and critiques of global leadership, often featuring expert commentary from journalists, political analysts, and regional specialists. What sets this series apart is its capacity to engage listeners not only with serious analysis but also with entertaining narratives, providing both context and depth on contemporary issues that shape our world today.

Each episode emphasizes the complexities of global politics while presenting a diverse range of perspectives, ensuri... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Foreign Desk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Foreign Desk:

1. The Briefing
2. The Monocle Daily
3. The Globalist
4. The Urbanist
5. The Rachman Review

How many episodes of The Foreign Desk are there?

The Foreign Desk launched 12 years ago and published 103 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Foreign Desk?

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Foreign Desk from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Foreign Desk?

Recent guests on The Foreign Desk include:

1. Vladimir Karametsa
2. Guyath Alomari
3. Salome Zurabichvili
4. Mamuka Mamoulashvili
5. Steve Chang
6. Yuka Roya
7. Ava Pashover
8. Martin Smith

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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