The Foreign Desk

Georgia has been gripped by protests as its parliament has passed a law that will force many of its NGOs and media to register as foreign agents. We look at what this means for Georgia’s future in the EU and how such laws fit into the autocratic playbook. Andrew Mueller speaks to journalist Rayhan Demytrie, Georgian opposition leader Tinatin Bokuchava, Estonian foreign minister Markus Tsahkna and Christopher Sabatini. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains why Armenia’s prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has given villages to Azerbaijan, resulting in mass protests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The African National Congress looks likely to win South Africa’s upcoming election, despite facing the prospect of securing less than 50 per cent of the vote for the first time in its history. Is this the inevitable result of being in power for too long, or something else? Andrew Mueller speaks to Nwabisa Makunga of the country’s national daily Sowetan, author William Gumede and former opposition leader Tony Leon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France and New Caledonia have seen better days. Andrew Mueller explains France’s role in the South Pacific territory and why Paris is blaming a fresh round of unrest there on Azerbaijan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia celebrated its annual Black Sea Fleet Day with a notably smaller fleet in Sevastopol than just a few years ago. How has Ukraine managed to win in the sea? What has the Nato military alliance learned from that success? And how does Turkey exercise control as the gateway country to the Black Sea? We speak to Hanna Shelest in Odessa, James Bergeron of Nato Maritime Command and Turkish-American political scientist Soner Cagaptay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains how the most recent Catalonian elections show that voters’ nationalist appetites may be waning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olaf Scholz visited the First German Brigade, which is stationed in Lithuania as part of Berlin’s new commitment to defend the Baltic states. But is Nato ready for Russia’s next move? We speak with Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Marion Messmer of Chatham House and General Richard Shirreff, former deputy supreme allied commander at Nato. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Panama has voted José Raúl Mulino as its new president. Andrew Mueller explains how, in reality, the endorsement belongs to his disqualified running mate, Ricardo Martinelli – a convicted criminal hiding under diplomatic asylum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do leaders resign early? We speak with Pat Leahy of ‘The Irish Times’, Jacinda Ardern’s former chief of staff Raj Nahna, former Armenian president Armen Sarkissian, and historian Alex von Tunzelmann for a look at quitters through history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As UN peacekeepers are being forced to leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Andrew Mueller speculates on the future of peacekeeping operations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How has the war in Ukraine affected EU integration? And has Europe’s political and strategic centre shifted eastward? We speak to former Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven about the EU’s parliamentary elections, and to Romanian and Moldovan officials about the bloc’s enduring appeal. Plus: Anand Menon of King’s College London on whether the UK regrets leaving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains why the US government is placing sanctions on an ultra-Orthodox group of soldiers within the IDF. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special edition from Delphi about a newly confident Greece and its Balkan neighbours. Andrew Mueller speaks to president of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, the German ambassador to Greece, Andreas Kindl, Ukrainian MP Yulia Klymenko and Maria Gavouneli, director general of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains why Iran delivered a missile strike against Israel and the potential ramifications. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global events tend to be shaped by the great powers: those countries with vast territories, enormous populations and proportionate economic and military heft. Nevertheless, small states not only survive but prosper, particularly in terms of GDP per capita and happiness reports. What are the advantages of being a small state? How can they make their voices heard? And what is it like to lead one? Andrew Mueller speaks to Armen Sarkissian, Sim Ann and Anett Numa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zimbabwe is introducing its new official currency, the ZiG, which is tied to the country’s gold reserves. Given that its five previous currencies have collapsed, Andrew Mueller muses on this one’s potential to last. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black-and-white photos of Emmanuel Macron pounding a boxing bag sparked bemusement in France and abroad. The French leader’s office did not comment on the images but many have linked the ‘Raging Bull’-style photoshoot to Macron’s drive to toughen up the region’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Why is Emmanuel Macron flexing his political muscle and how has his foreign-policy doctrine evolved? Andrew Mueller speaks to Sophie Pedder, Bruno Tertrais and General Sir Richard Shirreff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains who the IRGC are and why they are being targeted by Israel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why did Islamic State target Russia and is the terror group still a big threat in the Middle East and Africa? Andrew Mueller speaks to Mark Galeotti, General David Petraeus, Sanam Vakil and Stig Jarle Hansen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains why the China Coast Guard attacked a Filipino civilian boat with a water cannon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.