Iran’s influence is growing across the Middle East, with its proxies now dangerously close to an all-out war with Israel. Could presidential elections or an eventual ayatollah succession lead to a change in course? Andrew Mueller speaks to Iranian-American journalist Farnaz Fassihi of ‘The New York Times’, Iraqi analyst Renad Mansour and defence expert Jean-Loup Samaan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The European Union formally launched accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova this week. Andrew Mueller explains why the tortuous process that has left many countries in limbo might, nevertheless, be a good thing for these two nations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Ukraine peace summit did not lead to peace but it did surprise on the upside with more than 90 countries. Andrew Mueller was also in attendance in Switzerland. He reviews the summit’s tangible results and speaks to Australia’s Bill Shorten, as well as Iuliia Osmolovska and Lili Bivings from Ukraine and Kristian Berg Harpviken of the Peace Research Institute Oslo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As Vladimir Putin visits Kim Jong-un, Andrew Mueller explains why a warm relationship is so advantageous for both Russia and North Korea. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Voting for the far-right is no longer merely a protest for many. After the EU elections, we look at who can govern effectively, and who can be defeated. Andrew Mueller speaks with Sophie Pedder in France, Marilisa Palumbo in Italy and Ben Stanley in Poland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Andrew Mueller explains whether Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, will adhere to the UN Security Council resolution and if he even has much of a choice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Narendra Modi has secured a third term as India’s prime minister despite losing more votes than expected in the country’s election. We explore Modi’s foreign-policy doctrine and his testy relationship with Pakistan, China and Myanmar. Andrew Mueller speaks to Kapil Komireddi, Beenish Javed, Isabel Hilton and Ronan Lee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mexico has elected its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum. But, as Andrew Mueller explains, she has really been elected to continue the legacy of the incumbent president, Obrador. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
Dunx Moass
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland says Quentin ...
Ali samaei
really enjoyed historical series. clever and diffrent perspective. more of these please
Tom Rooney
"Do you think it [q anon] could become dangerous?" ?? Do you think BLM could become dangerous, you idiots?
Jennifer Danner
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علي علوشe
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