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The Foreign Desk

Monocle
Donald Trump
United States
Ukraine
Russia
NATO
Iran
China
Israel
Syria
European Union
Bashar Al-Assad
Turkey
Middle East
Immigration
Greenland
Australia
Trump Administration
Hezbollah
Ahmed Al-Sharah
Social Media

​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
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

The Israeli general election is poised to be one of the most consequential in the country's history. Can Netanyahu cobble together another government? What can those in Palestine, Lebanon and beyond expect if he does?

See omnystudio.com/listener for... more

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 fo... more

YouTube

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 fo... more

YouTube

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 ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rahul Bedi
Journalist and author of The Last Word
Episode: Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?
Shashi Tharoor
Member of parliament, former UN under-secretary-general, columnist and author
Indian National Congress
Episode: Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?
Meenakshi Lekhi
Former member of parliament and former Minister of State for External Affairs
Bharatiya Janata Party
Episode: Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?
Fida Fatima
Journalist and reporter for the human rights-focused news portal Maktoub Media
Maktoub Media
Episode: Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?
Aisha Bowe
Aerospace engineer, co-founder and CEO of STEMBoard, founder of Lingo, and Blue Origin NS-31 science payload operator
STEMBoard
Episode: Powering purpose in New Delhi
Didier Queloz
Co-discoverer of 51 Pegasi b, Nobel laureate in physics and founding director of a life-origins research center
ETH Zurich
Episode: Powering purpose in New Delhi
Andreas Schierenbeck
CEO of Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy
Episode: Powering purpose in New Delhi
Oscar Juadiola Rivera
Professor in International Law and International Affairs, Birkbeck College
Birkbeck College
Episode: Like father, like son: Are the Bolsonaros set to take Brazil or can Lula fight back?
Fernando Augusto Pacheco
Monocle's senior correspondent covering Brazilian elections
Monocle
Episode: Like father, like son: Are the Bolsonaros set to take Brazil or can Lula fight back?

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 878 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 Kingdom6 months ago
  • Excellent satire

    Andrew is natural.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andrewb1001
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • What does Latina Burke say?

    Nothing sensible. She’s a fascist

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BradyDaSilveira
    Australia9 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
#120
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#128
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#117
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#59
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#80
Norway/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#93
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Powering purpose in New Delhi
Q: Do you have any worries that AI will dilute that, that it will sort of render smaller the space in which human ingenuity can flourish?
Queloz says AI will accelerate science but will require learning and regulation. Schierenbeck views it as a productivity tool for repetitive work and data analysis, while Bowe hopes it will free people to focus on uniquely human work.
Powering purpose in New Delhi
Q: Is there a way you can explain how you get past that doubt?
Queloz explains that a new instrument enabled his team to collect data showing a signal that could be explained by an orbiting planet. He says the evidence eventually persuaded a skeptical scientific community, even when the discovery conflicted with expectations.
Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?
Q: Do you get the sense from here on the ground that they have real traction among the Indian public?
Rahul Bedi says the protests have substantial traction, driven particularly by educated young people who are unemployed or see few prospects, alongside disillusionment with promises made by Narendra Modi.
Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?
Q: Do you yourself, do you have a handle on what it actually is yet? Do you think it is likely to be a fairly short-lived protest movement, or do you perceive something genuinely new in Indian politics here?
Shashi Tharoor says the protests are not wholly unprecedented, but the energy, participation by ordinary young people and the movement's rapid growth from a satirical Instagram protest are new. He sees a serious convergence of opposition parties, youth anger and public frustration with police repression.
Like father, like son: Are the Bolsonaros set to take Brazil or can Lula fight back?
Q: Oscar, how does the Latin American shift toward right-wing governance relate to patterns seen in Brazil, Chile, and elsewhere?
Oscar notes a pendular regional trend toward coercive governance as a response to insecurity, influenced by the legacy of Trump-era politics and the power of social media in amplifying these narratives.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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. Rahul Bedi
2. Shashi Tharoor
3. Meenakshi Lekhi
4. Fida Fatima
5. Aisha Bowe
6. Didier Queloz
7. Andreas Schierenbeck
8. Oscar Juadiola Rivera

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