The Foreign Desk

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  As war threatens to escalate across Europe, why are some countries still stuck in neutral? 03.10.2026 27Min.

  With a major war raging on the European continent, there are a few countries that would prefer to be excused. We head to Switzerland, Austria and Ireland to examine what neutrality means today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 537: Javier Milei and the Falklands – here we go again 30.09.2026 6Min.

  Javier Milei is rattling Argentina’s old Falklands sabre again. But is this latest legal threat over offshore oil a serious strategy, domestic theatre or merely another chapter in history’s strangest recurring argument?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Rebuilding Lebanon: Where do you even start? 26.09.2026 34Min.

  From Israel’s strikes in the south and attempting to disarm Hezbollah, to reinstating services and infrastructure, Lebanon’s government is in a pivotal moment. We hear from three ministers on both the headwinds and hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 536: What leverage would the Houthis’s seizing of Bab al-Mandab give Iran? 23.09.2026 6Min.

  The Iran-backed Houthis have launched their largest offensive in years, seizing key ports and islands along the Bab al-Mandab strait. What sway will this give Iran over the global economy and ending the war?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Live from the Arab Media Summit: The UAE’s new role in war and peace 19.09.2026 32Min.

  The United Arab Emirates’ pitch has always been: you are safe here. This year, that changed. We go to Dubai to examine how the UAE prepared for conflict and its plans for peace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 535: Could Andy Burnham be the UK’s last prime minister? 16.09.2026 7Min.

  This week the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a joint memorandum declaring that Westminster’s time is “coming to an end”. But is there a clear path to independence?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The firewall falls: what does the AfD’s breakthrough mean for Europe? 12.09.2026 33Min.

  The AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt tweaked a nerve in Germany and across Europe. We examine how it won, its leaders’ plans and the media’s role in the rise of the far right.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why is Jamaica asking the United Kingdom for $10bn (€8.6bn)? 09.09.2026 6Min.

  Explainer 534: Jamaica’s government is seeking legal guidance from King Charles on receiving reparations. What issues lie at the heart of this request? And how is London likely to respond?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Powering purpose in Stavanger 07.09.2026 44Min.

  A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at ONS 2026 in Stavanger, Norway. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with Arancha González Laya, Tinne Van der Straeten, Stephen Bull and Steffen Syvertsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The geopolitics of going nuclear, again 05.09.2026 31Min.

  Despite its troubled history, nuclear energy is back on the agenda across the globe. Could it be our saviour? And what are the strategic risks for nations that aren’t keeping up with the energy renaissance?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 533: Disgraced war criminal or Serbian hero? The diplomatic conundrum of Ratko Mladić’s death  02.09.2026 6Min.

  Colonel-General Ratko Mladić died last week in prison in the Netherlands. Serbia has a complicated relationship with the disgraced war criminal, with many calling for a state funeral. What will his legacy be?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Iran: Is the US out of options? 29.08.2026 34Min.

  Six months into the US’s war with Iran, is any kind of military victory possible? Or is the Strait of Hormuz the US’s Suez? Rear admiral Mark Montgomery, Bloomberg’s Dina Esfandiary and historian Stephen Wertheim discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 532: Why is Syria back on Washington’s Christmas card list? 26.08.2026 7Min.

  After a warm reception between Donald Trump and President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria has been removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. What stands to be gained for both sides?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  After America: Europe’s new security order  22.08.2026 37Min.

  As the US retreats from Nato’s “all for one, one for all” clause, Europe is forging new defence ties. Can the West hold together without Washington? Estonia’s defence minister, Hanno Pevkur, joins the debate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 531: Could Moldova reunite with Romania? 19.08.2026 8Min.

  With Moldova vulnerable to Russian pressure and EU membership still years away, could reunification with Romania offer a shortcut to greater security? Andrew Mueller explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Democrats’ warring factions: Each have won battles but who will win the war? 15.08.2026 32Min.

  The Democrats’ centrist and progressive wings have each claimed victories in the primary cycle. Is the Democratic Party on the verge of re-assembling its circular firing squad? And who will win in November?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 530: Who even is Russia’s anti-war party? 12.08.2026 7Min.

  Russia’s Supreme Court has barred the country’s only anti-war party from standing in parliamentary “elections”. Does the ban reflect an uptick in anti-war support or Putin’s ever-tightening grip on power?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Ceuta border crisis: Who’s really threatening Schengen? 08.08.2026 31Min.

  The migration crisis in Ceuta sparked a fierce response across Europe. Does it expose a genuine threat to the border-free Schengen zone or are governments using the surge for political gain? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Explainer 529: What’s driving Morocco’s Trump highway? 05.08.2026 7Min.

  Morocco confirmed this week that it has named a major highway in Western Sahara after US president Donald Trump. But what’s the strategy behind awarding Trump a personal stake in the disputed territory? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  CTRL + ALT + RIGHT: Has technofascism taken over Silicon Valley? 01.08.2026 42Min.

  Thirty years ago, it was assumed that the internet would be an engine of liberal democracy. Now, Silicon Valley’s massive wealth is embracing power and promoting right-wing ideology. How did we get here?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.