The Foreign Desk

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.

Comedian-turned-president Volodymyr Zelensky has found himself leading Ukraine in the nation’s darkest hour. How is Zelensky faring, what’s next for Ukraine’s counteroffensive and what does history tell us about wartime leadership? Andrew Mueller speaks to Simon Shuster, Yaroslav Trofimov and Alex von Tunzelmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains the significance of Niger cutting ties with the US military – and why it might not be happening at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Caribbean nation continues to grapple with gang violence, political upheaval and a humanitarian crisis. How did we get here and is there a way out of Haiti’s nightmare? Andrew Mueller speaks to Jacqueline Charles, Harold Isaac, Christopher Sabatini and Georges Fauriol. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains why the people of Ireland said “no” to rewording their constitution – and why their response took the government by surprise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next weekend, Russia will hold an election that will effectively grant Vladimir Putin another six-year term as president. Combined with the recent death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the future looks difficult for Russians who would like the choice of a different leader. Was Alexei Navalny really the last dissident standing? And what will happen if Putin remains unseated? Andrew Mueller speaks to the prime minister of Lithuania, Bill Browder and Alexis Lerner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Haiti’s plight under gang rule has intensified as its prime minister, Ariel Henry, is refused entry into the country. Andrew Mueller explains who is – and who isn’t – answering the Caribbean state’s plea for assistance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As former US president Donald Trump undermines Nato, is it high time for Europe to get its act together and spend more on defence? What would another Trump presidency mean for the future of the alliance? Andrew Mueller speaks to Ukrainian politician Hanna Hopko, former Estonian president Toomas Hendriks Ilves, Estonia’s minister of defence, Hanno Pevkur, and Nato policy planning chief Benedetta Berti. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, announces his resignation, Andrew Mueller looks at the future of the Palestinian Authority and whether it has any hope of governing Gaza and the West Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode recorded at the Munich Security Conference, Andrew Mueller sits down with the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, the prime minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, former CIA director General David Petraeus, Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, the prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the prime minister of Bulgaria, Nikolai Denkov. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Taliban refused to attend a UN conference in Doha about Afghanistan this week, Andrew Mueller takes a moment to evaluate how much the terrorist group has really changed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The role of first lady or, increasingly, first gentleman, can be one of the most potent ambassadorial positions in any nation’s diplomatic ranks. What is it really like to be the spouse of a world leader? Andrew Mueller speaks to Clarke Gayford, broadcaster and husband of Jacinda Ardern; Charity Wallace, former chief of staff to Laura Bush; and Elizabeth Natalle, co-founder of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains how Senegal’s president, Macky Sall, is clinging to power beyond his term limits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, are gearing up to elect their next president in what is expected to be a hotly contested vote. Who is running and what are the key issues? Andrew Mueller speaks to James Chambers, Dewi Fortuna Anwar and Jacqui Baker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.