Episodes

  • How to topple a tyrant
    Jul 5 2025

    As last year’s rapid descent of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad attests, when a dictator falls, they fall fast. But what are the conditions under which that fall occurs? And how can they be sparked?

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    36 mins
  • Explainer 474: Tuvalu’s climate-change escape to Australia
    Jul 2 2025

    Andrew Mueller explains the relocation ballot being offered to Tuvaluans by Australia and what’s in it for the host nation.

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    7 mins
  • Has the ‘12-Day War’ settled anything?
    Jun 28 2025

    Despite Trump’s assertions, the state of play between Israel and Iran remains unclear. We’re joined by Arash Azizi, Tara Kangarlou and Tom Nichols to consider the possible consequences of the past 12 days.

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    34 mins
  • Explainer 473: Cambodia, Thailand and phone-call warfare
    Jun 25 2025

    Andrew Mueller explains the leaked phone call scandalising Thailand in its ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.

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    7 mins
  • The view of Europe from Globsec Forum 2025
    Jun 21 2025

    Reporting from the Globsec Forum in Prague, we hear from guests including the host country’s foreign minister and Georgia’s president to discern how their countries are adapting to today’s security, military and political threats.

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    42 mins
  • Explainer 472: The furious funeral row over Zambia’s former president
    Jun 18 2025

    Andrew Mueller explains how the rivalry between the late and former president, Edgar Lungu, and the current president, Hakainde Hichilema, is going well beyond the grave.

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    9 mins
  • ‘The Foreign Desk’ in Odesa: the international ripple effects of war in Ukraine
    Jun 14 2025

    Reporting from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Andrew Mueller talks to leaders – domestic and international – about why Ukraine’s struggle for survival matters around the globe.

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    40 mins
  • Explainer 471: Who gets to be an Italian citizen?
    Jun 11 2025

    (Some) Italians headed to the polls this week to decide who gets to be one of them. Andrew Mueller explains what’s at the heart of this debate and why apathy might have won the day.

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    8 mins