The Foreign Desk

When politics kicks off at the World Cup: what separates the screamers from the own goals?

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 11:00:56 +0000

The World Cup has always been political, including previous editions hosted by juntas and dictatorships. This year, presidents thumbed the scale and small nations made us dream again. Who scored and who was caught offside?

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Explainer 526: Why Japan has been spooked into launching an intelligence service

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:15:19 +0000

Japan announced plans this week to establish its own intelligence agency, its first since the Second World War. But why now?

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Powering Purpose in London

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at Midori House in London. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with Gerhard Salge, Olga Rosca and Richard Nugee.

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The scramble for critical minerals

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As the global competition for minerals intensifies, we consider the geopolitics at play. How did China emerge as a dominant force? And will the DRC ever benefit from its own resources?

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Explainer 525: You can’t keep a Le Pen down

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:59:53 +0000

Far-right French firebrand Marine Le Pen’s sentence for embezzlement was reduced this week, allowing her to stand in next year’s presidential election. But will the conviction hinder or help her campaign? Andrew Mueller explains.

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Does the US still have a free press?

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000

As the US marks 250 years, is one of the pillars of its democracy, a free press, under threat? Guests including White House correspondent Maggie Haberman discuss the current administration’s relationship with the media.

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Explainer 524: Why is Marco Rubio trying to unify Libya?

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:56:02 +0000

This week Marco Rubio hosted the latest round of talks between rival Libyan factions in an attempt to unify the country. But what’s in it for the US secretary of state?

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Live from Almedalen 2026: The state of Swedish politics

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Monocle reports from Almedalen Week, the annual political summit on the island of Gotland. We assess the state of Swedish politics in an election year, with guests including minister for gender equality Nina Larsson.

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Explainer 523: Flight of the White Eagle

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:48:54 +0000

Poland has been one of Ukraine’s biggest allies since the full-scale invasion by Russia. But will that continue after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s controversial tribute?

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‘El juego bonito’: Can the beautiful game help Mexico win off the pitch?

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 07:30:28 +0000

Mexico has made a promising start on the pitch but what other victories is the nation eyeing up? Andrew Mueller is joined by former ambassador to the US Arturo Sarukhán, among others.

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Explainer 522: The World Cup seat France won’t fill

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:48:49 +0000

While Fifa faces reports of unsold tickets, one seat at France’s World Cup matches is being deliberately left empty. But why?

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Live from Odesa: Ukraine’s journey from needing help to providing it

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 11:38:54 +0000

Live from the Black Sea Security Forum, we hear from Ukrainian MPs on the country’s future and the state of warfare. As Ukraine fights on, it has shifted from needing aid to providing new intelligence.

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Explainer 521: Trump Island

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:59:11 +0000

Ivanka Trump has revealed extensive plans to redevelop Albanian island Sazan into a luxury resort. But after thousands gathered in protest, will it go ahead?

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Lessons from Odesa: the changing landscape of war

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Live from the Black Sea Security Forum, we hear stories from both the front line and surrounding regions in the war against Russia, including senator Ruben Gallego and Salomé Zourabichvili, fifth president of Georgia.

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Explainer 520: Is it the end of the road for Ferrari’s new electric vehicle?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:15:00 +0000

Italians are up in arms about the newly unveiled Ferrari Luce, the luxury carmaker’s first electric vehicle. But why the controversy? Andrew Mueller explains.

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Upping the ante: How prediction markets are shaking geopolitics

Sat, 30 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The rapid rise of prediction markets is prompting questions about their influence on politics, military operations and the way we consume news. We discuss with guests including PredictIt founder John Aristotle Phillips.

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Explainer 519: Why Morocco and Senegal’s football rivalry is the one to watch this World Cup

Wed, 27 May 2026 17:35:00 +0000

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned 15 Senegalese football fans ahead of the World Cup. But what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations final to trigger their arrest?

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The Cuban man-made crisis: will the US’s maximum-pressure campaign topple Havana’s government?

Sat, 23 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Cubans are facing a nightmarish humanitarian crisis – and Washington is piling on the pressure. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has long dreamed of regime change on the island. But will it happen? We head to Havana for the picture on the ground.

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Explainer 518: Duterte vs Marcos in the latest episode of Filipino Family Feud

Wed, 20 May 2026 16:13:45 +0000

The feud between the Philippines’ most powerful political dynasties continues. This week, vice-president Sara Duterte was impeached. Andrew Mueller unpacks the latest turn in the country’s ongoing political saga.

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The rise of the middle powers

Sat, 16 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000

As great powers become increasingly unstable and unpredictable, smaller nations are building alliances and trade deals. Guests including Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, consider whether we have entered the age of the middle power.

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Explainer 517: How the revival of gerrymandering is hurting democracy

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:23:51 +0000

What is gerrymandering and why is its recent revival bad for US democracy? Andrew Mueller explains.

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Live from Delphi: Can Europe remake itself into a superpower?

Sat, 09 May 2026 11:05:00 +0000

As Europe contends with the multiplying conflicts on its doorstep and the withdrawal of US protection, can the continent make itself into a modern superpower? Paolo Gentiloni, Mikhail Kasyanov and more weigh in.

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Explainer 516: Are Albertans about to leave Canada?

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:31:35 +0000

Who are the separatists campaigning for a vote of independence in Alberta, Canada? And how real is the threat? Andrew Mueller explains.

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Live from Delphi: Can the US and Europe find a way back?

Sat, 02 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This year’s Delphi Economic Forum was the stage for much contemplation over Europe’s relationship with the US. Does anyone, even his own supporters, understand President Trump? We hear from Peter Baker and others.

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Explainer 515: Has King Charles saved the special relationship?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:27:45 +0000

Given Donald Trump’s fondness for royalty, who better than King Charles III to smooth US-UK tensions? Andrew Mueller considers whether the current state visit has delivered a diplomatic win for palace soft power.

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Live from Delphi: Europe breaks with the US over the war in Iran

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 10:57:12 +0000

Live from the Delphi Economic Forum: The war in Iran’s impact as seen from Iraqi Kurdistan, the US and Estonia. Is there a strategy to resolve the conflict? Then: has the war turned cracks in the Transatlantic relationship into serious fault lines?

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Explainer 514: Why is Teddy Afro’s music roiling Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed?

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Ethiopian superstar Teddy Afro has taken aim at the country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, in new song “Das Tal”. What’s being protested and should Ahmed be concerned ahead of general elections?

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From Maga to Orbán: The cracks emerging in the global right

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:55:03 +0000

In recent years, the rise of the right has seemed unstoppable. But are rifts among US Republicans over Iran and the fall of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán a sign that the tide is turning?

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Explainer 513: Why does Viktor Orbán’s defeat matter?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:38:07 +0000

Despite a relatively small population and limited economic power, Hungary’s general election result, turning out far-right prime minister Viktor Orbán in favour of conservative Péter Magyar, has outsized international significance. But why?

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Operation Epic Fury: Is that it?

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

A ceasefire has been announced between Iran, the US and Israel, but are all parties in agreement on the terms? Who is the victor? And what did Operation Epic Fury actually achieve?

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Explainer 512: Why is JD Vance in Hungary?

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:20:00 +0000

US vice-president JD Vance is in Hungary to bolster its prime minister, Viktor Orbán, ahead of elections this weekend. The VP accused the EU of “foreign election interference” – but why is he getting involved?

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As the war in Iran enters its second month, is victory for anyone still possible?

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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?

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Explainer 511: Why is Germany telling Syrians to return home?

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:15:00 +0000

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?

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Why has Israel invaded Lebanon?

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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?

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Explainer 510: From Angola with love: are there Russian spies in southern Africa?

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:40:00 +0000

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.

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The war in Iran: the global fallout

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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?

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Explainer 509: Is Cuba next on Trump’s hit list?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:50:00 +0000

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.

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Iran: Are the US and Israel fighting the same war?

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:03:29 +0000

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.

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Explainer 508: How did rapper Balen become prime minister of Nepal?

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:53:44 +0000

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.

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The Foreign Desk Exclusive: Canada prime minister Mark Carney on the new world order

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:52:56 +0000

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.

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Live special: War in Iran

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:15:04 +0000

We head to Dubai, New York and Jerusalem for the latest developments as the war in Iran grips the Gulf. How are civilians faring? How is the US explaining this war? Is an off-ramp possible?

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Explainer 507: Pakistan-Afghanistan: What’s fuelling this week’s overlooked conflict?

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:15:00 +0000

While the world’s eyes are on Iran, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have flared into open conflict. What is driving the latest escalation? Andrew Mueller explains.

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Munich Security Conference special: Is Europe awake yet?

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:46:45 +0000

US senator Lisa Murkowski, Kosovo’s prime minister Albin Kurti and French minister delegate for European affairs Benjamin Haddad discuss whether Europe is ready to become a global leader as the transatlantic relationship frays.

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Explainer 506: How did Mexico’s drug cartels bring the country to a standstill?

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

How did the killing of “El Mencho”, head of CJNG drug cartel, lead to tourists being trapped in Puerto Vallarta? Plus: How does this fit in with President Sheinbaum’s domestic policy and her relationship with Donald Trump?

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Munich Security Conference special: Will the transatlantic alliance survive?

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:14:57 +0000

After a bruising year following JD Vance’s speech at the last Munich Security Conference, we discuss the state of relations between Europe and the US.

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Powering Purpose in Munich

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:25:00 +0000

A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded before the Munich Security Conference. Andrew Mueller and Carlota Rebelo discuss the energy transition with Hitachi Energy’s Maxine Ghavi; Markus Blume, Bavarian state minister for science and art; Prof Wolfgang Herrmann; and Bianca Rech, the director of FC Bayern Women.

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Explainer 505: Are the Winter Olympics apolitical?

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:07:38 +0000

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was not allowed to compete in a helmet decorated with pictures of athletes killed in the war with Russia. But is it really true that the Olympics are apolitical?

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Is it worth prosecuting the powerful?

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

As the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte awaits trial in The Hague, we consider the difficulties around prosecuting individual leaders. Does it work as a deterrent for governments? And what is it like to defend one?

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Explainer 504: The jailing of Jimmy Lai: China’s stand against Hong Kong media and the UK’s middling response

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:30:00 +0000

Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Despite having a British passport, the UK’s response has been limited. Andrew Mueller explains China’s latest blow to free press.

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Could this be the end of Iran’s regime?

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

From the 1979 hostage crisis to strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, US-Iran tensions have simmered for decades. But are Trump’s latest threats against the ayatollahs serious? Or will imminent talks in Muscat cool the discord?

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Explainer 503: Why is the US making nice with West African juntas?

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:35:00 +0000

Given Trump’s recent, more combative approach to foreign policy, it was surprising to see the US extend the hand of friendship to West Africa’s military dictators this week. So what’s behind this new alliance?

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The capture of Nicolás Maduro: a new horizon for Venezuela and American foreign policy?

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:59:39 +0000

One month on from US forces seizing the now former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, its impact still remains unclear. Will Caracas’s new leader bring any real change? Is Trump’s aversion to foreign entanglements over?

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Explainer 502: The two-man rivalry fuelling South Sudan’s civil war

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:48:54 +0000

This week, General Johnson Olony, deputy chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, ordered troops to “spare no one”. Andrew Mueller unpacks the two-man power struggle at the top and how it continues to fuel civil war.

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Live from Nuuk: Trump’s threats grip Greenland

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000

‘The Foreign Desk’ reports from Nuuk as Trump’s threat of force grips Greenland. Is Nuuk closer now to Copenhagen or is independence more important than ever? Can the damage done to Nato be repaired?

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Explainer 501: Why does Trump really want Greenland?

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:48:48 +0000

Are Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland in any way explainable? Andrew Mueller does his best to try.

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Trump: One down, three to go... (in theory)

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

As President Trump completes the first year of his second term, we take stock. Is there a plan underpinning the chaos – or is chaos the plan? And what will the next three years hold?

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Explainer 500: Why are Malaysia and Indonesia alone in taking on Grok?

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 19:45:00 +0000

Only Malaysia and Indonesia have threatened a ban on X unless its AI assistant, Grok, stops producing sexually explicit content. Why is the rest of the world staying silent?

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What can the world expect in 2026?

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Andrew Mueller and our expert panel discuss the key issues to keep an eye on in 2026.

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Explainer 499: Why is Donald Trump ‘running’ Venezuela?

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Trump has pledged to ‘run’ Venezuela after US forces captured its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Is this the beginning of a tripolar world between the US, China and Russia? And should Greenland, Cuba and Colombia be on edge?

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The best of the Explainer 2025

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The most notable world events that we explained in 2025.

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The best of 2025

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

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

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2025 in review

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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

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Explainer 498: Belarus’s balloon offensive

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:55:00 +0000

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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Could Taiwan draw the US, China and Japan into war?

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Japan prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s assertion that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a threat to her nation’s survival has spurred a crisis between Tokyo and Beijing. Can de-escalation be achieved?

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Explainer 497: The art of (stopping) the coup

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Benin has become the latest West African state to face a coup. Andrew Mueller explains how the region’s history of upheavals gave president Patrice Talon the tools to stop the attempt.

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One year on from the toppling of the Assad regime, how far has Syria’s revolution come?

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

One year on from the spectacular toppling of the Assad regime, has the Syrian revolution achieved its aims? How well is President al-Sharaa governing and remaking his image? Will global intervention help or hurt the state?

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Explainer 496: Is Hegseth in deep water?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Self-styled US “Secretary of War” Pete Hegseth is facing criticism for striking boats off the coast of Venezuela, killing more than 80 people. But will there be any consequences?

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Powering Purpose in Brussels

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with a panel of experts from Hitachi Energy, GE Vernova and Aurora.

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What do Russians really think of Putin?

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:30:00 +0000

How many Russians support President Putin’s worldview? Does real opposition exist? Leading dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza outlines how Russia and the West must prepare for the post-Putin era, and why those efforts must begin now.

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Explainer 495: What’s the deal with the Ukraine peace deal?

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Does Ukraine stand to gain anything from the US-brokered peace deal? And does Russia even want the war to end?

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Stranger than fiction?

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Many politicians and diplomats serve during incidents that feel stranger than fiction. Veep writer David Quantick and former UK ambassador John Everard discuss how entertainment and politics interact.

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Explainer 494: The bright side of Ukraine’s corruption scandal

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0000

It has been a tough week for Zelensky’s government. But is there a bright side to the corruption scandal gripping Ukraine? Andrew Mueller explains.

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How the Arctic is hotting up

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

As the ice recedes, geopolitical tensions are emerging among arctic nations – not to mention China and the US. What are the stakes? And how can this region be better defended?

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Explainer 493: Trump vs the BBC

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:39:15 +0000

The BBC is the latest media outlet to find itself at the mercy of Trump’s legal team. Does this spell the end of the embattled British institution? Or just another passing feud for the litigious president?

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Are the world’s Gen Z protests different?

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Young people across the world are taking to the streets, setting fire to parliaments and toppling governments. But why now? And are these activists any different to previous generations?

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Explainer 492: Why is Nigeria the US military’s latest target?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:00:00 +0000

After threatening Venezuela with military intervention last week, President Trump has now shifted his focus to Nigeria. But why?

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Is Milei’s chainsaw cutting through?

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Argentina’s mid-terms surprised everyone, as president Javier Milei’s party doubled its parliamentary seats. Have Argentinians bought into his radical economic programme? Or will the pain and populism prove too much?

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Explainer 491: Trump’s third term?

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:00:00 +0000

US presidents are, as we know, two-term limited. But will that stop Trump? Andrew Mueller lays out the possible paths to re-re-election.

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Eighty years on, is the United Nations a relevant institution?

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Eighty years on from its inception, the United Nations is in crisis. Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton joins an expert panel to discuss the institution’s need for change, and if reform is possible.

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Explainer 490: Who is Japan’s new prime minister, other than a woman?

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Japan made history this week as its first woman prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, was sworn in. But what are her politics and how will she manage without a parliamentary majority?

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Donald Trump, the diplomat

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 11:06:13 +0000

President Trump has achieved what numerous other world leaders have failed to secure: a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. So is there actually merit in his unorthodox approach to diplomacy?

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Explainer 489: Why have Gen Z protests spread to Madagascar?

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

President Andry Rajoelina flees as Madagascar’s youth follow the example of protestors in Morocco, Nepal and Sri Lanka, among others. But why are Gen Z taking to the streets across the world? Andrew Mueller explains.

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Two years on from 7 October: did it have to be like this?

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000

After two years of conflict, Israel and Hamas have finally agreed terms of a ceasefire. But was this the only possible path? What were the other options open to Israel since 7 October?

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Explainer 488: Why has Australia signed a defence treaty with Papua New Guinea?

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

While neither nation is famed for their military might, the mutual defence treaty signed this week by Australia and Papua New Guinea has some strategic benefits for both. Andrew Mueller explains.

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Why is Moldova’s election result so significant to its neighbours?

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:01:42 +0000

Last Sunday’s parliamentary election was one of existential stakes for Moldova and considerable concern for Europe. But will the newly elected, pro-EU PAS keep Russian influence at bay?

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Explainer 487: India, Pakistan and a dearth of cricket diplomacy

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Following India’s recent victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, handshakes were absent and India refused to accept the trophy. Andrew Mueller plots the course of these nations’ geopolitical tensions on the cricket field.

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Is social media a threat to national security?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +0000

The size, power and appetite for misinformation of the largest social media platforms is undeniable. But how real is the national security threat? And what can be done about it? We hear from MP Christine Jardine and others.

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Explainer 486: Why recognise Palestine now?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Ten countries recognised Palestine this week, including the UK, France and Canada. Why now? Andrew Mueller examines the geopolitical and domestic reasons behind the shift.

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Above the law?

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:54:31 +0000

In democracies, it is an article of faith that nobody – not even the national leader – is above the law. As with most articles of faith, expedient exceptions are made. What impact does accountability have?

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Explainer 485: The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:00:00 +0000

As information about Charlie Kirk’s killer slowly begins to emerge, the Republican Party’s response has been far more prompt. Andrew Mueller assesses the fallout.

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White House vs City Hall

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:19:59 +0000

Following President Trump’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles and Washington, cities across the US are bracing themselves. What is he trying to accomplish? And how can a city mayor prepare for it?

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Explainer 484: Nepal’s war on social media

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +0000

As many as 22 people are dead and hundreds injured in Nepal during riots against corruption and a social media ban. But is the government’s ruling as pure-hearted as they want it to appear?

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Does the immigration debate have to be like this?

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 11:06:55 +0000

As the right engages in fearmongering and the left struggles with coherent messaging, can immigration be reformed? Is shutting the door effective? And how does anyone win against those who want to shut it?

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Explainer 483: Labour’s England flag frenzy

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +0000

There has been an uptick in St George’s flags festooned on buildings and spray-painted over road signs in England. But why, despite right-wing associations, is Labour endorsing the practice?

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Shadow boxing in the Caribbean: Why is the US cornering Venezuela?

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:40:10 +0000

The US Navy sets sail for Venezuela. What does president Trump hope to accomplish with this gunboat diplomacy? How has president Maduro clung to power and will the US ever leave South America alone?

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Explainer 481: Why has Australia thrown out Iran’s ambassador?

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:59:43 +0000

For the first time ever, Australia has expelled an ambassador. But why is Iran’s Ahmad Sadeghi packing his bags and what does it have to do with antisemitic attacks?

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Who will run the world if the US doesn’t want to anymore?

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000

As president Trump’s isolationist leanings become US foreign policy, is the era of the American hegemony over? Did the US lead us somewhere worthwhile? And if the US recedes, who steps up?

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Explainer 480: Myanmar and the perks of posing as a democracy

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Myanmar’s military, which has held power since 2021, has announced a general election for later this year. Has Myanmar suddenly become a democracy? Or is something else afoot?

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Is a liberal Israel recoverable and might that be the key to peace?

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 11:20:39 +0000

Israel was once regarded as an essentially left-wing project. Now, the country has grown more conservative, defensive and, some would argue, extreme. Is a liberal Israel recoverable? And might that lead to peace?

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Explainer 479: Who are the Balochistan Liberation Army and why have they suddenly attracted US attention?

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0000

The Balochistan Liberation Army has been reclassified by the US as a “foreign terrorist organization”. But why the sudden interest in a Pakistani bête noire?

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