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The Foreign Desk

Monocle
Donald Trump
Ukraine
United States
Russia
NATO
Iran
Israel
China
European Union
Syria
Bashar Al-Assad
Turkey
Middle East
Hezbollah
Immigration
Australia
Greenland
Lebanon
Taiwan
Gaza

​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 weeklyEpisodes103Founded13 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

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.

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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?

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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 S... more

YouTube

Despite its troubled history, nuclear energy is back on the agenda across the globe. Could it be our saviour? And what are the strategic risks for nations that aren’t keeping up with the energy renaissance?

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Recent Guests

Mark Montgomery
Rear Admiral, former US Navy officer, Senior Fellow
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Episode: Iran: Is the US out of options?
Dina Esfandiary
Middle East Geoeconomics Lead for Bloomberg Economics
Bloomberg Economics
Episode: Iran: Is the US out of options?
Stephen Wertheim
Deputy Director of Research and Policy
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Episode: Iran: Is the US out of options?
Oana Lungescu
Former NATO principal spokesperson (2010–2023)
NATO
Episode: After America: Europe’s new security order
Hanno Pevkur
Estonia's Defense Minister
Estonian Government
Episode: After America: Europe’s new security order
Dr. Lamy Kim
IISS Korea Chair in Advanced Technologies, National Security and Defense
IISS
Episode: After America: Europe’s new security order
Holly Otterbein
Senior Politics Reporter covering the Democrats for Axios
Axios
Episode: The Democrats’ warring factions: Each have won battles but who will win the war?
Usama Andrabi
Communications Director, Justice Democrats
Justice Democrats
Episode: The Democrats’ warring factions: Each have won battles but who will win the war?
Adam Frisch
Director of Electoral Programs and Finance Chair at The Welcome Party
Welcome Party
Episode: The Democrats’ warring factions: Each have won battles but who will win the war?

Host

Andrew Mueller
Host of The Foreign Desk; longtime journalist known for in-depth geopolitical analysis and interview-led storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 871 ratings
  • Weekly dose of reality

    Excellent listen, every week, pretty much without fail. Feels like an oasis of calm, reasoned analysis in a very uncertain world...

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    big paddy la
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Excellent satire

    Andrew is natural.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andrewb1001
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • What does Latina Burke say?

    Nothing sensible. She’s a fascist

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BradyDaSilveira
    Australia8 months ago
  • 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 Kingdoma year 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 Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics warn of perceived bias incoverage and sponsor-related concerns, though many find it insightful and well-sourced.
Listeners praise the show for its rigorous, nuanced take on global affairs and high-quality guests.
The host's wit and clear delivery help unpack complex topics without losing depth.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#175
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#203
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#146
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#43
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#56
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#81
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iran: Is the US out of options?
Q: No. Part of my job is I spend a couple of months a year training Ukrainian army units, and so I'm reasonably close to the front lines there routinely. Do any of those strike you as even vaguely plausible?
Given current capabilities, seizing and holding territory like Karg Island or extracting a land-based occupation would be highly risky due to one-way attack drones and limited counter-drone capabilities; a full land seizure is unlikely and not advisable.
Iran: Is the US out of options?
Q: Dina, first of all, we are six months or so into this endeavor that the United States launched with Israel back in February. At this point, will Iran basically be thinking, we've won?
Iran is unlikely to feel they've won outright, but they have achieved serious strategic gains, particularly gaining some control or influence over the Strait of Hormuz, and they've weathered the initial assault while imposing costs on the US and its Gulf partners.
The Democrats’ warring factions: Each have won battles but who will win the war?
Q: What are the biggest philosophical differences between progressives and centrists on policy?
Key divides include healthcare (Medicare for All versus Obamacare subsidies), Israel policy and influence of domestic lobbies, and how aggressively to pursue reforms versus stabilization; both sides agree on defeating Trump but disagree on method and pace.
The Democrats’ warring factions: Each have won battles but who will win the war?
Q: Which wing of the Democratic Party do you think will be happiest with how primaries went?
Both wings report significant wins; the race is too close to call as a clear winner, with both sides able to claim victories and use them as talking points for their future strategy.
The Ceuta border crisis: Who’s really threatening Schengen?
Q: Alberto, what did you make of how other European countries responded to the crisis we saw in Ceuta?
Alberto argued that the Ceuta incident tested European solidarity and exposed a tendency among some leaders to blame Spain and to challenge unified migration policy, highlighting a lack of quick, cohesive coordination across EU members.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Foreign Desk

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

A sharp, globally focused current affairs program featuring high-level discussions with policy makers, analysts, and journalists. Episodes commonly unpack strategic geopolitics, international security, diplomacy, and regional economics, often blending historical context with present-day decision making. A standout trait is the host's dry wit and the breadth of guests, which together deliver nuanced analysis without sacrificing accessibility. The show frequently weighs military, economic, and political dimensions, offering listeners insight into how global events unfold and what they mean for business, policy, and public discourse.

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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. Monocle on Sunday
5. The Urbanist

How many episodes of The Foreign Desk are there?

The Foreign Desk launched 13 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.

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What guests have appeared on The Foreign Desk?

Recent guests on The Foreign Desk include:

1. Mark Montgomery
2. Dina Esfandiary
3. Stephen Wertheim
4. Oana Lungescu
5. Hanno Pevkur
6. Dr. Lamy Kim
7. Holly Otterbein
8. Usama Andrabi

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