In 2022, Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, introduced his Total Peace concept, a plan intended to encourage criminal gangs to compromise with the government. Andrew Mueller explains how recent events have impeded such ambitions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change is not merely an environmental problem; it’s also a threat to security and stability, and a possible cause of conflict. Could it therefore be the case that climate security and national security are the same thing? Andrew Mueller speaks to the deputy prime minister of Luxembourg, François Bausch, Pauline Baudu and General Tom Middendorp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US, UK and Australia have announced details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Andrew Mueller explains how we got here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Russia’s attacks on Ukraine rage on, Baltic and Balkan countries are feeling vindicated in their warnings about Putin’s intentions. For years, the regions have warned about the immediate dangers posed by Russia and now the west appears to be listening. In this special episode, Andrew Mueller speaks to the prime ministers of Lithuania and Kosovo, the president of Slovenia, the former president of Estonia and the former deputy prime minister of Latvia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An opposition candidate has been selected for the upcoming Turkish presidential election. Andrew Mueller explains who he is and how he differs from President Erdogan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been more than a year since Finland and Sweden submitted their applications to become NATO’s 31st and 32nd members. While the two Nordic neighbours remain on the cusp of joining the alliance, Turkey and Hungary have yet to give them the green light. How long will this take? And will both nations be able to join the alliance hand-in-hand? Andrew Mueller speaks to Sweden’s minister for foreign affairs, Tobias Billström; Finland’s minister for foreign affairs, Pekka Haavisto; Norway’s minister for foreign affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt; and the former prime minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past year, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has been removing self-governing rights from Disney World and imposing government oversight on the parks. Andrew Mueller explains why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, recorded at the Munich Security Conference, Andrew Mueller sits down with the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, Iceland’s minister for foreign affairs, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, and the president of Open Society Foundations, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, has warned of a Russian plot to overthrow her government. Andrew Mueller explains why this is possible and how Moldova is trying to keep Moscow at bay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next week voters in Africa’s most populous nation will head to the polls to elect a new president. What are the main issues dominating the election and how will it impact the wider region? Andrew Mueller speaks to Aanu Adeoye, Leena Koni Hoffmann and Dipo Faloyin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller explains Benjamin Netanyahu’s dramatic shift towards Israel’s judiciary, leading to mass protests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As India gears up for its general election next year, anger over the Adani empire led by Gautam Adani, a Modi ally, is growing. Will the Adani affair cast a shadow on the prime minister? Andrew Mueller speaks to Shruti Kapila, Sumit Ganguly and Somnath Batabyal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday earthquakes devastated Turkey and Syria. Thousands have been killed. Diplomatic offers of assistance have been flooding in from usually hostile neighbours. Andrew Mueller looks to recent history and explains the successes and failures of past disaster diplomacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many developed nations face a looming ageing-population crisis. What are governments doing to cope with this global trend that poses major political and economic challenges? Andrew Mueller speaks to Agnès Poirier, James Raymo, Marie Le Conte and Stephanie Hegarty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, Azerbaijan used military force to take control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenia. Today there are reports of blockades leading to starvation and sickness. Andrew Mueller explains how Vladimir Putin could stop the siege but why he probably won’t. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva was sworn in as Brazil’s president for the third time in January in a stunning comeback following four years of Bolsonaro’s far-right government. The newly inaugurated president now faces an uphill battle to rebuild his country and reinstate Brazil as a leading player on the world stage. What will Lula’s foreign policy look like? Andrew Mueller speaks to Fernando Augusto Pacheco, Christopher Sabatini, Cecilia Tornaghi and Sarah Shenker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been finding as many reasons as he can to prevent Sweden from being accepted into Nato. Andrew Mueller explains why and asks, when push comes to shove, will Turkey really block Sweden’s bid? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Germany found itself needing a new defence minister amid criticisms for not agreeing to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks. Why is Germany still so afraid of taking a military stance? Is Europe ready for an active German army? And how does this apprehension look to Ukrainians? Andrew Mueller is joined by Quentin Peel, Susan Neiman and Aliona Hlivco. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than half a year after classified papers were found at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, Maga fans are gleefully accusing Joe Biden of the same misdeeds that they defend the former president over. Andrew Mueller explains the severity of the situation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The environment and the climate are factors in every conflict; the changing of the seasons has been arguably decisive on many occasions. How have militaries learned to adapt? How can those lessons be applied to conditions that may be changing beyond recognition? And can we stop climate wars from being fought? Andrew Mueller speaks to Sherri Goodman, Jasper Humphreys and Dr David Kilcullen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.