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. 

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.

​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. 

​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.

The Foreign Desk

Explainer 405: Taliban 2.0

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.

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.

Will the Baltics be next?

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.

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.

Explainer 416: Panama’s proxy president

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.

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.

Explainer 405: Taliban 2.0

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