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?

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?

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

Defeating an authoritarian strongman at the ballot box is no small feat. So how did Serbian students do it? Did Brazil’s fandoms swing an election? And how was the seemingly immovable Viktor Orbán toppled?

Defeating an authoritarian strongman at the ballot box is no small feat. So how did Serbian students do it? Did Brazil&rsquo;s fandoms swing an election? And how was the seemingly immovable Viktor Orb&aacute;n toppled?

How to retake a captured state: Lessons from Brazil, Serbia and Hungary

Algeria’s army is venturing beyond its border for the first time in more than 50 years to address conflicts in neighbouring Niger. Why does Niger need the help? And what does Algeria’s revitalised army mean for Africa?

Algeria&rsquo;s army is venturing beyond its border for the first time in more than 50 years to address conflicts in neighbouring Niger. Why does Niger need the help? And what does Algeria&rsquo;s revitalised army mean for Africa?

Explainer 541: Is Algeria the new military powerhouse of Africa?

The Israeli general election is poised to be one of the most consequential in the country's history. Can Netanyahu cobble together another government? What can those in Palestine, Lebanon and beyond expect if he does?

The Israeli general election is poised to be one of the most consequential in the country's history. Can Netanyahu cobble together another government? What can those in Palestine, Lebanon and beyond expect if he does?

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

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