The Foreign Desk Monocle Radio

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.
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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.
 
 
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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.
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As Vladimir Putin visits Kim Jong-un, Andrew Mueller explains why a warm relationship is so advantageous for both Russia and North Korea. 
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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.
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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.
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