Andrew Mueller explains why the US government is placing sanctions on an ultra-Orthodox group of soldiers within the IDF.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

A special edition from Delphi about a newly confident Greece and its Balkan neighbours. Andrew Mueller speaks to president of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, the German ambassador to Greece, Andreas Kindl, Ukrainian MP Yulia Klymenko and Maria Gavouneli, director general of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Andrew Mueller explains why Iran delivered a missile strike against Israel and the potential ramifications.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Global events tend to be shaped by the great powers: those countries with vast territories, enormous populations and proportionate economic and military heft. Nevertheless, small states not only survive but prosper, particularly in terms of GDP per capita and happiness reports. What are the advantages of being a small state? How can they make their voices heard? And what is it like to lead one? Andrew Mueller speaks to Armen Sarkissian, Sim Ann and Anett Numa.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Zimbabwe is introducing its new official currency, the ZiG, which is tied to the country’s gold reserves. Given that its five previous currencies have collapsed, Andrew Mueller muses on this one’s potential to last. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Black-and-white photos of Emmanuel Macron pounding a boxing bag sparked bemusement in France and abroad. The French leader’s office did not comment on the images but many have linked the ‘Raging Bull’-style photoshoot to Macron’s drive to toughen up the region’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Why is Emmanuel Macron flexing his political muscle and how has his foreign-policy doctrine evolved? Andrew Mueller speaks to Sophie Pedder, Bruno Tertrais and General Sir Richard Shirreff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Andrew Mueller explains who the IRGC are and why they are being targeted by Israel.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Comedian-turned-president Volodymyr Zelensky has found himself leading Ukraine in the nation’s darkest hour. How is Zelensky faring, what’s next for Ukraine’s counteroffensive and what does history tell us about wartime leadership? Andrew Mueller speaks to Simon Shuster, Yaroslav Trofimov and Alex von Tunzelmann.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Andrew Mueller explains why the people of Ireland said “no” to rewording their constitution – and why their response took the government by surprise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Next weekend, Russia will hold an election that will effectively grant Vladimir Putin another six-year term as president. Combined with the recent death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the future looks difficult for Russians who would like the choice of a different leader. Was Alexei Navalny really the last dissident standing? And what will happen if Putin remains unseated? Andrew Mueller speaks to the prime minister of Lithuania, Bill Browder and Alexis Lerner.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more