Together, Mark and Szymon explore the risk of renewed dependence on Russian energy, reliance on American LNG, and what this crisis reveals about Europe’s long-term energy strategy. As the conflict continues, the pressure is growing for Europe to accelerate its transition towards renewables and greater energy resilience. 

How exposed is Europe to the global energy fallout? What role does Qatar play in the current gas crisis? Could Europe return to Russian energy imports under pressure? And what policies are needed to reduce Europe’s long-term energy dependence?  

Bookshelf Recommendation 

Grzegorz Braun Gram vabank by Tomasz Sommer 

This podcast was recorded on April 1st 2026. 

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Mark and Jana also explore the broader geopolitical fallout: stalled diplomacy, rising oil prices benefiting Russia and growing divisions within Europe that risk weakening support for Ukraine at a critical moment. The longer the Iran war continues, the more difficult Ukraine’s position becomes.

What does the Iran war mean for Ukraine’s military position? How is US support being affected? Why does the conflict benefit Russia economically? And can Europe maintain a united stance on Ukraine?

Bookshelf Recommendation

Russia in 1839 by Astolphe de Custine

This podcast was recorded on March 26, 2026.

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This week Mark Leonard records live from ECFR’s all-staff retreat in Sofia, bringing together colleagues from across the continent to unpack European reactions to the escalating conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. While some leaders have taken a firm stance against the war, others have shifted position and divisions are emerging across Europe.

Why has Spain taken such a clear line against the conflict? How is Germany balancing its relationship with the US, Israel and Ukraine? What role is France seeking to play as a military and diplomatic actor? And how are countries like Italy and Poland navigating domestic pressures alongside their transatlantic ties?

This podcast was recorded on March 20, 2026.

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Over the past couple of weeks, the US and Israel have continued attacking Iranian military and energy infrastructure, Iran has appointed a new Supreme Leader in Mojtaba Khamenei, oil prices have surged and Iran is targeting tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. But amid all this activity, America’s war aims remain as unclear as ever, exacerbated by dozens of conflicting statements from President Trump and US senior officials.

Together, Mark, Aziz, Eran and Ellie assess the state of the conflict in Middle East, focusing on the political climate in Iran, Israel and the Gulf states. Does Trump have a way out? Is there any path to de-escalation? For how long will the war last? And what does this mean for the Middle East—and for Europe?

Bookshelf:

A Kurdish Rebellion in Iran Could Be a Disaster – Ellie Geranmayeh

Tomorrow is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine - Hussein Agha and Robert Malley

This episode was recorded on March 12th 2026.

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Why has India’s relationship with the EU become more strategically important? How is New Delhi balancing ties with Beijing, Moscow and Washington while deepening economic integration with Western partners? And what role could India and Europe play together in shaping security, technology and connectivity across a wider “Indo-Mediterranean” region?

This podcast was recorded on March 4 2026 in New Delhi during the Raisina Dialogue.

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What are Trump’s war aims and does he really seek regime change? Could Iran’s political system survive this shock, or is deeper transformation underway? How are Gulf states reacting as they find themselves on the front line? And with Europe largely sidelined so far, what role could or should Europeans play in preventing further escalation?

This emergency episode was recorded on Sunday afternoon, 2pm UK time, as events continue to unfold.

Trump’s strikes on Iran are an illegal war of choice—and Europeans should say so by Ellie Geranmayeh

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Can Ukraine be nonaligned but also “armed to the teeth”? Could it become a porcupine that Russia cannot swallow? What should Europe and Ukraine do if future US foreign policy focuses more on the Indo-Pacific and the western hemisphere? Could Russia feasibly invade Ukraine again? And what happens if it does? 

Bookshelf 

An Armed Nonalignment Model for Ukraine’s Postwar Security by Jennifer Kavanagh  

The bear in the Baltics: Reassessing the Russian threat in Estonia by Jennifer and Jeremy Shapiro 

Season 4 of Bridgerton on Netflix  

Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “Junkyard Dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff on Trump’s Second Term (Part 1 of 2) by Vanity Fair  

Susie Wiles Talks Epstein Files, Pete Hegseth’s War Tactics, Retribution, and More (Part 2 of 2) by Vanity Fair 

This podcast was recorded on 30th January 2026 

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Together, Mark and Mark discuss how the role and impact of the Bretton Woods institutions, such as the World Bank and IMF, have changed. How can these institutions adapt to the rough-and-tumble world of 21st-century geopolitics—especially considering China’s increased support for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and projections that Asia will hold 50% of global GDP by 205? 

Is Mark Carney right that there is a rupture in the old order? How did the Bretton Woods institutions underpin the old order? Are the World Bank and IMF problematic and outdated? Is it possible to reinvent these institutions for a new era? Or is it better to work through new, more representative institutions? 

Bookshelf 

1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in History – and How It Shattered a Nation by Andrew Ross Sokin  

Facing Up to the Future: Navigating Disruption, Building Trust by Patrick Achi, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Mark Malloch-Brown

News and reflections from Mark Malloch-Brown by Mark Malloch-Brown 

This episode was recorded on February 6th 2026 

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Recording from the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, they reflect on Marco Rubio’s message to Europe, European leaders’ calls for greater autonomy, Zelensky’s intervention on Ukraine, and the shifting tone on China, NATO and tech regulation. Is the transatlantic relationship entering a new phase? Did Europe show unity or fragmentation? And what does the mood in Munich reveal about the future of security in 2026?

This podcast was recorded live at the Munich Security Conference 2026.

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Together, they discuss how ideas developed in think-tanks translate into government policy, and how the “America First” approach is shaping US national security priorities. Mark and Elbridge examine NATO’s evolution toward greater European responsibility, the challenge of turning higher defence spending into effective military capability, and the continued importance of nuclear deterrence.

They also discuss support for Ukraine, rising concerns about China’s military posture, efforts to counter Iran, and the strategic role of the US–Israel relationship, before looking ahead to the trade-offs and priorities likely to define American strategy in the coming years.

This podcast was recorded on February 13th 2026.

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After meetings in Copenhagen with Danish and Greenlandic leaders, and Tiago’s visit to Nuuk, Mark discusses with him and Jim how tensions escalated, why they were diffused at Davos, and what lessons Europe can draw from the episode. 

What mood are the Danes in? How do they assess Trump’s motivations? Has the crisis brought Greenlanders closer to Denmark? And how did Denmark go about building European unity to oppose Donald Trump’s moves? 

Bookshelf 

Indignity: Life Reimagined by Lea Ypi 

Everybody Loves Our Dollars by Oliver Bullough 

This episode was recorded on February 11th 2026 

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How can the left counter the narratives of the new right? What does a revitalised left look like in Europe and beyond?  Are the tragedies of 1920s and 1940s Albania, as experienced by Leman—grandmother of Lea Ypi and the book's protagonist— repeating themselves in Europe today? Do any parallels exist between then and now? And what lessons does this period hold for today? 

Bookshelf 

Indignity: A Life Reimagined by Lea Ypi 

The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol 

This podcast was recorded on January 8th 2026 

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Together, they explore how the European policies on critical raw minerals and energy should evolve in relation to Africa’s economic growth, the needs of younger generation and China’s presence in the region. They also outline which topics are key to understanding the EU-AU relationship.

How can Europe support Africa’s climate and energy goals without recreating patterns of conditionality or dependency? What impact will the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism have on African economies? With multiple global powers seeking influence in Africa, how should Europe reposition itself as a partner of choice? And how does China’s cooperation with Africa impact Europe?

Bookshelf     

The Hour of the Predator: Encounters with the Autocrats and Tech Billionaires Taking Over the World by Giuliano Da Empoli

African Europeans: An Untold History by Olivette Otélé

Fareed’s take: World countering Trump with shrewd moves

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The agreement, nearly 20 years in the making, was signed in New Delhi by Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Narendra Modi, and has been dubbed the “mother of all deals”. It aims to integrate two massive markets—representing a quarter of the global population—slash tariffs, boost services trade and reduce dependencies on China and the US.

Mark and James explore India’s strategic pivot amid US tariffs, the potential for deeper defence and tech ties, and Europe’s quest for autonomy in a multipolar world. Is this a game-changer for global trade flows? Can Europe and India forge a true superpower partnership, or will domestic politics and external pressures derail progress? And is this the birth of a new geopolitical axis?

This podcast was recorded on January 28, 2026.

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Together, they reflect on the shifting idea of the West and the challenge of preserving a pragmatic, values based transatlantic relationship. They also explore Finland’s place in this rapidly evolving landscape including the impact of Trump’s sights on Greenland and the war in Ukraine. 

Bookshelf 

Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World by Thant Myint-U 

The Triangle of Power: Rebalancing the New World Order by Alex Stubb 

* please note there were technical issues during the recording

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme, to discuss the Iranian protests, what a military intervention by Trump could look like and how Iranians are reacting to the political turmoil.

Could Trump feasibly intervene in Iran? What are his options? How do the current protests differ from those staged after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini? What role could Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, play in a potential regime change? And how does Iran’s nuclear programme fit into all of this?

This podcast was recorded on Thursday 15, January 2026.

Bookshelf

It Was Just an Accident by Jafar Panahi

Taraneh: A Documentary by BBC

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How will global politics shift in 2026? Will we finally see an end to the war in Ukraine? How are the ongoing protests in Iran affecting the likelihood of an Israeli attack? What’s next for the Gaza peace deal? What are the major points of conflict that will shape Africa this year? And will Europeans finally confront China’s growing influence?

Bookshelf

The War Came to Us: Life and Death in Ukraine by Christopher Miller

Indignity: A Life Reimagined by Lea Ypi

Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Road to Power in Syria by Patrick Haenni and Jerome Drevon

Sahel: The Perfect Storm by Morten Bøås

China’s Economy: Rightsizing 2025, Looking Ahead to 2026 by Daniel H. Rosen, Logan Wright, Oliver Melton and Jeremy Smith (Rhodium Group)

This podcast was recorded on January 8th 2026

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Mark Leonard is joined by Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR research director, and Nacho Torreblanca, ECFR distinguished policy fellow, to discuss why America decided to capture Maduro and what this could mean for the domestic situation in Venezuela—as well as its wider implications for other areas, including Greenland.

What were Trump’s motivations? Will the US increasingly use military force to secure resources and territory across the Americas and the north Atlantic? And could Greenland be next?

Bookshelf

Morir en la arena (To Die in the Sand) by Leonardo Padura

The Revolutionary Temper: Paris, 1748-1789 by Robert Darnton

This podcast was recorded on January 5th 2026

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Will the European far right continue its advance? Is an uneasy ceasefire in Ukraine finally within reach? How might US policy on Iran, China and Europe evolve under Trump? And what role will AI, energy security and debt crises play in shaping the year to come?

This podcast was recorded on December 30th 2025.

Bookshelf

The Dream Factory: London’s First Playhouse and the Making of William Shakespeare by Daniel Swift

Ones and Tooze by Adam Tooze

Wer verteidigt Europa?: Die neuen Kriegsgefahren und was wir tun müssen, um uns zu schützen by Jana Puglierin

Surviving Chaos: Geopolitics when the rules fail by Mark Leonard (April 2026)

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And with China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and Made in China 2035, Europe faces the triple threat of coercion, industrial corrosion and loss of sensitive business intelligence. 

This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Tobias Gehrke, senior policy fellow at ECFR covering economic security and European economic strategy, and Andrew Small, the new director of the ECFR’s Asia programme. Together,  they discuss China’s current and future economic strategies—and actions that Europe should take in response.  

How seriously should Europeans take the threat of Chinese coercion? In which industries can Europe realistically compete with Beijing? And where are Europe’s potential partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America for alternative supply chains? 

This episode was recorded on December 15 2025  

Bookshelf 

Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway 

The Reckoning by David Halberstam 

“Isch vorbei” by Süddeutsche Zeitung 

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Together, they discuss Ellie’s and Hugh’s experiences at the Doha Forum: from Gaza’s fragile future and Iran’s nuclear conundrum, to America’s role as a security guarantor in the Middle East—especially for Iran’s nuclear deal.  

Will America still be considered as the security guarantor in the Arab world, or is Trump still interested in the Iran nuclear compromise?  Will the outcome of a future Israeli election fundamentally change the country's foreign policy? And who holds the real power in Gaza’s future governance—the international community, or Palestinians themselves?   

This episode was recorded on December 10th 2025 

Bookshelf:

The Caravan: Abdallah Azzam and the Rise of Global Jihad by Thomas Hegghammer 

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Gladden Pappin, president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, co-founder and deputy editor of American Affairs journal, and co-founder of the online magazine Postliberal Order, and Majda Ruge, senior policy fellow in ECFR’s US programme and long-time observer of the American right’s foreign policy. Together, they break down what’s behind the NSS and what its real impact on Europe might be.

What are the NSS’s ideological roots? How seriously should Europeans take the strategy and possible threats coming from the US? And what does the NSS mean for the future of the transatlantic relationship?

Bookshelf:

Reading Trump’s National Security Strategy: Europe through a distorted lens by Carl Bildt

It’s time Europe got to grips with the MAGA challenge, writes Mark Leonard by Mark Leonard

Europeans can’t let Trump define what it means to be European by Pawel Zerka

This episode was recorded on December 11th 2025

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This week, Mark welcomes Dan to discuss the ideas behind his book, including the dichotomy between China’s “engineering state" and the West’s “lawyerly” societies. Together, they unpack what China is getting right—and where its model is lagging.

What is the Chinese government getting wrong? Is the Chinese model now coming under strain? What would it take for Europe to remain competitive in the 21st century? And how is China projecting its model across Africa and South-East Asia?

Bookshelf: 

Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang 

Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World by Tim Bouverie 

This episode was recorded on November 21st 2025 

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This week, Mark Leonard is joined by ECFR co-chairs Carl Bildt, former prime and foreign minister of Sweden, Lykke Friis, former Danish minister of climate, energy and gender equality, and Norbert Röttgen, member of the German parliament, to take stock, 18 years after ECFR began. They assess what Europe misunderstood then; what it must confront now; and what the next two decades might look like.

Why did Europe need a pan-European foreign policy think-tank like ECFR in 2007? Why does it still need one today? And how has ECFR has helped shape debates and policies over the past 18 years?

Bookshelf:

Waves of ambition: Russia’s military build-up in Crimea and the Black Sea

Why Crimea matters

European Security

This podcast was recorded on November 24th 2025.

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Kyiv has rejected the proposal as a capitulation and Europeans are insisting on a seat at the table. Together, Mark, Jana and Jim examine the feasibility of the plan’s core demands, given Ukraine’s battlefield resilience and Europe’s pushback. What does the plan reveal about the Trump administration’s approach? Can Europe shape a settlement that safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty? Or will Ukraine be coerced into a deal on Russia’s terms?

This podcast was recorded on November 21st, 2025.

Bookshelf:

Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization by Edward Slingerland

Algorithms for the People by Josh Simons

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This week, Mark is joined by Ulrike Franke, ECFR senior policy fellow and expert on defence, security and drones. Together, they explore why FCAS keeps running into dead ends—from persistent rifts between Dassault and Airbus to political disagreements between Paris and Berlin.

What do the developments around the FCAS reveal about the strength of the Franco-German motor in the EU? What happens if the project collapses? And what would it mean for Europe’s quest for strategic autonomy?

Bookshelf:

Char de combat: obsolescence ou renaissance? by Léo Péria-Peigné

The ideas letter curated by Leonard Benardo

This episode was recorded on November 19th 2025

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This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Sunder Katwala, director of the think-tank British Future and author of How to Be a Patriot, and Lawen Redar, spokesperson for integration for the Swedish Social Democratic party and a member of Sweden’s parliament. Together, they discuss how Sweden shifted from the EU’s most liberal migration country to tighter border controls, how parallel societies are emerging, and how both Sweden and Britain are struggling to define who “we” are in increasingly diverse societies.

How can European societies combine stricter border policies with fair and effective integration? Can social democrats rebuild a shared narrative of national belonging without slipping into ethno-nationalism? And how can Europe avoid importing the most negative elements of America’s culture war?

Bookshelf:

How to Be a Patriot: Why love of country can end our very British culture war by Sunder Katwala

Why Immigration Policy Is Hard: And How to Make It Better by Alan Manning

Head, Hand, Heart: Why Intelligence Is Over-Rewarded, Manual Workers Matter, and Caregivers Deserve More Respect by David Goodhart

This episode was recorded on November 14th 2025

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This week, Mark is joined by Will Brown, senior policy fellow in ECFR’s Africa programme and author of the recent policy brief “The Bear and the Bot Farm: Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare in Africa”, and Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst at global risk consultancy Control Risks. Together, they unpack Russia’s ambitions in Africa and the shifting geopolitical landscape across the Sahel.

How does Moscow’s vast propaganda machine continue to shape public opinion in the region? How is the Kremlin using disinformation to expand its influence? And what options remain for Europe in a region where its power is fast fading?

Bookshelf:

The Bear and the Bot Farm: Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare in Africa by Will Brown

The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination by Stuart A. Reid

Attack on Titan (TV Series 2013–2023)

Beyond the Door of No Return by David Diop

The Strong Brown God: The Story of the Niger River by Sanche de Gramont

This episode was recorded on November 5th 2025

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Mark is joined by Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR’s research director and head of its Washington office, to discuss the legal and political justifications for the strikes, the influence of Marco Rubio, and how Trump’s “hemispheric defence” doctrine fits into his unpredictable foreign policy. Is the development about drug cartels, regime change—or is America reasserting its power in the Western hemisphere? What are the implications for Europe? And what do these strikes mean for the future of US global strategy?

Bookshelf:

The Undiscovered Country: Triumph, Tragedy, and the Shaping of the American West by Paul Andrew Hutton

This episode was recorded on October 28th 2025.

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This week, Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR research director and head of its Washington office, is joined by Jana Kobzova, co-director of ECFR’s European Security programme and former foreign policy adviser to Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová, and Jim O’Brien, former assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs in the Biden administration and an ECFR distinguished visiting fellow. Together, they unpack Trump’s sanctions gamble, Europe’s shifting strategy on Russian energy—and whether these moves could alter the course of the war.

Bookshelf section:

The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley by Marietje Schaake

This episode was recorded on October 23rd 2025.

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Can international pressure turn a vague, unsigned proposal into a lasting settlement? How can an international stabilisation force navigate between security guarantees for Israel and Palestinian sovereignty? And does this moment mark the start of a serious push for a two-state solution, or is it just another fragile pause in a cycle of violence?

This podcast was recorded on Friday, October 17th, 2025.

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This episode marks the launch of ECFR’s new RE-ENGAGE podcast series: The Neighbourhood, which will unpack how countries hoping to join the EU navigate political change and outside pressure, and what that means for Europe’s democracy and security.

In this episode, Mark Leonard speaks with Lykke Friis, co-chair of ECFR’s council, director of the Danish think-tank Europa, and former Danish minister, as European leaders gather for the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen. Together they discuss why Denmark has shifted to advocating for enlargement and why Europe’s future security may depend on bringing Ukraine and Moldova closer.

Is the EU ready for a new wave of member countries? Can enlargement be both geopolitical and merit-based? And what role will Denmark play in defining the EU’s next chapter?

Bookshelf:

Strength in members: How to rally EU enlargement for defence by Gustav Gressel, Nicu Popescu

Deutschland 1946: Das Wunder beginnt by Rüdiger Barth, Hauke Friederichs

Indignity: A Life Reimagined by Lea Ypi

This episode was recorded on October 2nd, 2025.

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Why is Macron refusing to turn to the left? Can the centrists hold together? And are snap elections or Macron’s resignation now inevitable?

This podcast was recorded on October 9th, 2025.

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This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Hugh Lovatt, Senior Policy Fellow at ECFR and expert on Israel–Palestine, to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of Trump’s proposed Gaza peace deal.

What does the plan actually contain, and how did it come about? Can it deliver a real ceasefire and political pathway, or is it another exercise in ambiguity? Hugh explains why the deal may be more complicated for Hamas than for Israel, what leverage Europeans still hold, and how an international stabilisation force could (or couldn’t) work on the ground.

This podcast was recorded on September 6th 2025

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This week, Mark Leonard talks with Cass about his intellectual journey, the differences between the “New Right” and traditional conservatives and the economic agenda reshaping American conservatism. Together, they discuss what a pro-worker trade policy can look like and why family is central to Cass’s political vision.

What does this new conservatism mean for US domestic and foreign policy? How does the conservative working class policy differ from Bernie Sanders’s vision? And how do these intellectual debates shape Trump’s administration?

This episode was recorded on September 24th 2025

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For decades, India-Europe relations did not fulfil their potential. Now transactional American foreign policy has seen Donald Trump impose severe tariffs on India and push New Delhi to adopt a strategy of multi-alignment. This allows the EU to deepen their own economic and diplomatic relations with India.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by James Crabtree, ECFR distinguished visiting fellow and author of Pivot to Europe: India’s back-up plan in Trump’s world, and Suhasini Haidar, diplomatic editor at The Hindu. Together, they examine how India’s changing foreign policy sees it balancing its position between China, Russia and the US, while discovering new opportunities in Europe.

Why does Europe’s changing geopolitical role appeal to New Delhi? What is the current state of Indo-Chinese relations? Why is non-alignment and multi-alignment crucial in understanding India’s foreign policy? And are India-US relations wrecked for the foreseeable future?

This episode was recorded on September 24th 2025.

Booskhelf:

Present at the Creation: My Years in the State Department by Dean Acheson

India’s World: How Prime Ministers Shaped Foreign Policy by Rajiv Dogra

Pivot to Europe: India’s back-up plan in Trump’s world by James Crabtree

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How serious are these drone sightings and what are their origins? What kind of counter-drone defences should Europe be investing in? Why did Poland only shoot down some drones, and what does this signal to Moscow? And if Putin is probing NATO’s red lines, what might his next move be?

This episode was recorded on September 25th, 2025

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This week, ECFR’s director Mark Leonard returns to our regular programming after an eventful summer over Ukraine that saw Donald Trump meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss the war—a meeting that stunned global observers. Also over the summer, European leaders held a summit in the White House to craft a response to the crisis as Russia kept a relentless pace of bombardment of Ukrainian cities. The conflict’s shadow lengthened beyond Ukraine’s borders when, in September, Russian drones flew into Polish and Romanian territory, breaching NATO airspace.  

To unpack these events, Mark is joined by Jana Kobzova, co-director of ECFR’s European Security Programme and former foreign policy advisor to Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová. They discuss what the US has actually promised to Russia and what concrete security guarantees European countries are willing to offer. What is the domestic situation in Ukraine? And is Zelensky losing or gaining influence on the domestic political scene? 

This episode was recorded on September 16th, 2025 

Bookshelf: 

John Maynard Keynes: 1883-1946: Economist, Philosopher, Statesman 

Preventing the next war: A European plan for Ukraine 

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The last episode, which Mark recorded at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, features remarks from various MAGA figures such as Thomas Homan and Steve Bannon. How do the “new right” MAGA politicians perceive traditional Republicans? Why are tariffs and re-industrialisation at the heart of national conservative strategy? And which disagreements arose when discussing foreign policy?

This podcast was recorded on September 10th 2025.

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Together, Mark and Balázs explore the latter’s intellectual journey that resulted in his inclusion in Orbán's cabinet. They also discuss how the national conservative movement developed in Europe and Hungary, where Orbán’s party Fidesz was at the forefront of the “new right”. 

What are the key concepts underpinning Hungary’s national conservatism? Has the right-wing movement in Europe developed in Hungary’s image? Will the European Parliament’s Patriots for Europe group become mainstream in EU politics? And how is this “new politics” restructuring power in Europe?  

This podcast was recorded on September 2nd 2025. 

Bookshelf: 

Regime Change: Towards a Postliberal Future by Patrick Deneen 

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Together, Mark and Hélène explore her intellectual journey as a historian emphasising France’s pre-Revolutionary legacy, the fragmentation of conservatism into Bonapartist, liberal, Catholic and counter-revolutionary traditions, and how figures like Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen reflect or challenge these ideals.

Amid France's polarised landscape, what unites or divides conservative thought today? Can conservatism reclaim its historical depth in a nation increasingly defined by secularism and globalism? And is the rise of the National Rally a true conservative revival—or a populist deviation?

This podcast was recorded on Ausgust 28, 2025.

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Gladden's intellectual journey illustrates the transnational nature of contemporary political thought. Together, Mark and Gladdon explore the current state of the liberal international order and the recent shift in EU-US relations; and how post-liberalism as a direct response to the failures of liberalism highlights the need for greater understanding of new conservative perspectives—particularly in Europe.  

What exactly is emerging to replace the old liberal international order? How do these emerging alliances create a space for different people to exchange ideas? And to what extent is this new political sensibility, which is spreading around the continent, challenging European politics as we know it? 

This episode was recorded on July 17th 2025 

Bookshelf: 

Regime Change: Towards a Postliberal Future by Patrick Deneen 

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Together, Mark and Rod discuss the shifting political landscape as characterised by a backlash against liberalism, the rise of right-wing movements, economic discontent among the working class, the implications of “forever wars”, and the challenges of supporting the idea of free speech in contemporary society.

But which main factors are driving this shift? What impact do culture and religion have on political discourse? And could liberal democratic values survive a global move towards right-wing movements?

This episode was recorded on 13th August 2025

Bookshelf:

Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America by Christian Smith

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Which new political frameworks are emerging from the “crisis” of liberalism? How can political theory adapt to the changing landscape of global politics? And is there the potential for nationalism to reshape democratic discourse?

This episode was recorded on 30th July 2025

Bookshelf:  

The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies by Richard Legutko

Why Liberalism Failed by Patrick J. Deneen

Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West by Rusty Reno

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In the first episode, Mark Leonard is joined by Ivan Krastev, founding board member of ECFR, chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences at IWM Vienna. Mark and Ivan discuss the emergence of the New Right and its implications for liberalism and European politics. After all, only by understanding how the New Right develops and frames its ideas can mainstream parties and institutions survive the transition to a potential new era of global politics. Does liberalism have a future? What is the nature of the main political challenges to the old order? And will the political parties of old adapt at this crucial juncture?

This episode was recorded on July 21st 2025

Bookshelf:

The Life, Old Age, and Death of a Working-Class Woman by Didier Eribon  

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How can the EU confront the entanglement between oligarchs and state institutions in Bulgaria? How can the bloc prevent the kind of democratic backsliding witnessed in Hungary and, increasingly, Slovakia? And if more EU member states experience democratic decline, what impact could that have on the EU’s global image and credibility?

This episode was recorded on July 24th, 2025.

Bookshelf:

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

La Route antique des hommes pervers by René Girard

Serbia’s Balancing Act: Between Russia and the West by Vuk Vuksanovic

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Mark, Jeremy and Tom discuss the forum’s tense atmosphere, marked by the Trump administration’s last-minute ban on Department of Defence participation. Amid debates on AI, supply chain resilience and geopolitical competition, the episode explores America’s inward turn and its wavering Ukraine commitment. What are the implications for Europe’s security? Is the US retreating from global leadership? And can Europe adapt to a fragmented technological and economic order?

This episode was recorded on July 18th, 2025.

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In Gaza, over 57,000 people have been killed, the aid distribution system is chaotic and dangerous, and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas seem to go nowhere. All the while, Israel is expanding its presence in the West Bank by building settlements and expelling or detaining Palestinians. What’s next for Gaza and the West Bank? And how can Europe and the US step up to ensure the death toll does not grow even higher?

This podcast was recorded on July 17th 2025.

Out of Place by Edward W. Said

Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire by Eckart Frahm

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Mark and Tobias explore why Trump upended talks, the EU’s hesitation to deploy its anti-coercion instrument and the urgent need for political (not technocratic) engagement. As trade tensions collide with security priorities like Ukraine, can Europe wield its economic leverage to avert a full-blown trade war?

The podcast was recorded on July 14th, 2025.

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How might the conflict between Russia and Ukraine evolve over the coming months? What role is the US playing in this trajectory? And what kind of security environment can Europeans expect in the future?

This episode was recorded on July 10th 2025.

Bookshelf:

Travels In Arabia Deserta by Charles M. Doughty.

The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy and the Life of John Maynard Keynes by Zachary D. Carter.

Preventing the next war: A European plan for Ukraine­ by Camille Grand, Jana Kobzova and Nicu Popescu.

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But what are the implications of America weaponising this interdependence? How can key actors exercise power in this hyperconnected system? And what challenges and opportunities does Europe face in this competitive and interconnected environment?  

Bookshelf: 

Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy- Henry Farrell and Abe Newman 

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They discuss the new ECFR report “Trump’s European revolution”, which draws on data from a new international opinion poll. The conversation explores how Donald Trump is transforming Europe’s geopolitical landscape and the identities of its political parties, fueling security fears and deepening divisions. They also examine how demographic shifts and immigration are changing societal attitudes and political dynamics across Europe.

This podcast episode was recorded on June 27th 2025.

Bookshelf:

Trump’s European revolution, by Mark Leonard and Ivan Krastev

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Mark and Camille explore the summit’s carefully choreographed outcomes, including a reaffirmed Article 5 commitment and no formal withdrawal of US troops—despite looming reviews of America’s presence in Europe. Can NATO balance Trump’s demands with European autonomy? Or is this merely a fragile truce among a shifting alliance?

This episode was recorded on June 25th, 2025.

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Mark and his guests break down how the conflict has developed since last Friday’s emergency podcast and explore possible future scenarios. The discussion looks at the conflict from the Israeli and the Iranian perspectives, taking into account also the reactions of G7 states and the likely US response.

What are Israel’s and Iran’s options in the coming weeks and months? What might a diplomatic way out of the conflict look like? Is this even still a possibility? And what could the repercussions be if America decided to join the war in support of Israel?

Bookshelf:

“Autocracy, Inc.” by Anne Applebaum

Europe must act now to prevent a major war between Israel and Iran by Ellie Geranmayeh

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As Iran responds by launching drone attacks on Israel and debating broader retaliation, Mark and Ellie discuss the damage to Iran’s nuclear programme, the potential for a multi-layered Israeli campaign, and how the delicate US-Iran nuclear talks are now teetering on the brink of collapse. With Arab states condemning Israel and the US distancing itself from its ally’s actions, what can Europe do to avert a full-scale regional war?

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This week Mark Leonard is joined by Dan Caldwell, former senior adviser at the Pentagon, and Curt Mills, executive editor of the American Conservative, to talk about what is influencing Donald Trump’s foreign policy. The president, and many key players in defence, agree that constant military build-up and the steady accruing of debt—which has characterised foreign policy since Reagan—has left America with little to show. The prevailing ideology of conservative anti-globalism is characterised by the US paring back military presence outside the Western hemisphere and a “realist” approach to trade.

But the administration has dissenting voices, in particular those advocating a more hawkish policy towards Iran. Mark, Dan and Curt take a deep dive into the sentiments and personalities influencing the second Trump era’s foreign policy, and consider what the world—and especially Europeans—can expect for the months ahead.

Bookshelf:

The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century by Steve Coll

 The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq by Steve Coll

Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union by Vladislav M. Zubok

The World of the Cold War 1945-1991 by Vladislav M. Zubok

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This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Alberto Rizzi, ECFR policy fellow, to discuss what effect a shrinking and ageing global population is having on 21st-century geopolitics. Building on Alberto’s new policy brief, they discusses the changing demography of the EU and European states and broader global trends—from China and Russia’s dwindling birth and death rates, to America’s relatively optimistic demographic outlook.

But is a bigger population always an inherent advantage? And how can European policymakers maintain Europe’s global power in the face of demographic change?

The podcast was recorded on June 5th 2025

Bookshelf:

Markets, migrants, microchips: European power in a world of demographic change by Alberto Rizzi

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Together Mark and Malcolm discuss how—amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and America’s talk of reducing its European presence—the SDR focuses on leveraging AI and uncrewed systems, as well as a “NATO first, Europe first” approach. They also consider how to balance transatlantic relations with closer EU defence cooperation. Can Britain drive a technological and geopolitical shift? Or will fiscal and industrial constraints limit its ambitions?

The podcast was recorded on June 2nd, 2025.

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Together, Mark and Piotr unpack the election’s profound impact on Poland’s fractured politics, what the outcome means for prime minister Donald Tusk’s struggling government, and the future of EU cohesion. Nawrocki set to block Tusk’s judicial reforms and amplify Euroscepticism—but what about Poland’s place in the EU? And how will the development impact the country’s support for Ukraine?

This podcast was recorded on 2 June 2025.

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Mark, Tiago and Nicu discuss the proposal for a European Preparedness Act, inspired by the US Defense Production Act, which aims to enhance the EU’s ability to mobilise resources swiftly in response to crises. The conversation explores the rationale behind the act, the political and institutional challenges to its implementation, and how it could strengthen EU member states, and closely linked partners like Moldova and Ukraine.

What would an EU-wide preparedness mechanism look like in practice? Should Brussels or the EU member states wield emergency powers in a crisis? And can Europe unite behind a shared vision of resilience before the next predicament hits?

Bookshelf:

Law of duty: The case for a US-inspired EU Preparedness Act by Tiago Antunes

They thought they were free by Milton Mayer

À la table des diplomates: L'histoire de France racontée à travers ses grands repas by Laurent Stefanini

This podcast was recorded on May 28th 2025.

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The controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private US-led initiative bypassing UNRWA, has faltered, with its head resigning amid claims it enables displacement rather than aid. Mark and Julien discuss what the EU can do to address the crisis and attempt to shift Israel’s course—as European leaders sharpen their criticism and review their trade ties. Is Europe finally finding its voice? Or is it too late to alter Gaza’s trajectory?

This podcast was recorded on 27 May.

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Together, Mark, Camille and Ivan dive into the security and defence pact, the political asymmetries behind the deal, and what it means for Britain’s domestic landscape. How does the new EU-UK security and defence pact compare to other deals with global partners? Has the UK’s position as demandeur reshaped its leverage, and is this really a win for Europe? And what role will the summit deal play in the Labour government’s European strategy?

Bookshelf:

Allies at War: The Politics of Defeating Hitler by Tim Bouverie

République impériale by Raymond Aron

This podcast was recorded on May 22nd.

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Romania’s liberal candidate, Dan Barna, defied polls to defeat far-right contender George Simion, while Poland’s presidential race heads to a tight runoff between liberal Rafal Trzaskowski and right-wing Karol Nawrocki. With Poland’s right-wing bloc commanding 54% in the first round, the stakes are high for Europe’s liberal project. Can Poland replicate Romania’s liberal surge? Or will populism reshape the region’s trajectory?

This podcast was recorded on May 19.

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While the summit’s agreement sets precedents on policies including an agri-food deal, and a security and defence partnership, it falls short of achieving ambitious goals like a customs union. Mark and Mij’s discussion, recorded as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council president Antonio Costa and British prime minister Keir Starmer announce the summit’s outcomes, delves into how the EU-UK reset has been marked by such progress—alongside continued unresolved tensions.  

Amid domestic political pressures, and within a fragmented global order, can this summit lay the foundation for deeper cooperation? Or is it simply one cautious step in a deeply fraught political landscape? 

This podcast was recorded on May 19.

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Together, Mark and Célia explore what Trump’s worldview means for key European actors and consider how his second-term agenda could erode transatlantic trust. Can Europe push back effectively? Have European leaders grasped the scale of the challenge, or are they still hoping for appeasement? And what would a “MAGA-shaped Europe” look like by the end of Trump’s term?

Bookshelf:

MAGA goes global: Trump’s plan for Europe by Célia Belin

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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The conversation explores who holds the upper hand, the prospects for a 90-day negotiation period, and the broader clash between deal-making instincts and systemic rivalry. For Europe, caught between US pressure and a less desperate China, the stakes are high as it navigates an upcoming EU-China summit. Is this a fleeting truce or a sign of deeper shifts in global trade?

This episode was recorded on May 14.

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In this week’s emergency podcast episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Andrew Small, senior transatlantic fellow with the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific programme, to discuss how the recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan highlights the potential for nuclear conflict. They also explore America’s role in mediating the situation, implications for Europe in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape, and the growing influence of China in the region.

What has led to the most recent conflict events between India and Pakistan? How did each side negotiate the ceasefire? And, as Europeans, what lessons have we learned from the countries’ retaliatory acts?

This episode was recorded on May 12th 2025.

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In this episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Cliffe, ECFR editorial director and senior policy fellow, and Jana Puglierin, ECFR’s Berlin office head and senior policy fellow, to discuss the new German government and the legacy of the previous “traffic light” coalition. How will Merz’s government differ to its predecessor? What will its main challenges be? And what does Merz’s embarrassing first round defeat in the Bundestag suggest for the rest of his term?

This podcast was recorded on May 8th, 2025.

Bookshelf:

Podcast | What’s next for Berlin?

From fence-sitter to pace-setter: How Merz’s Germany can lead Europe by Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin

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From territorial provocations and budget slashes to institutional chaos and a reordering of US foreign policy, Donald Trump’s early months in office have shaken American governance and global diplomacy alike.

This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR’s editorial director and head of the Washington office, to unpack what we’ve learned so far. What foreign policy vision is emerging from this administration? Why have Americans remained passive in the face of democratic backsliding? And what does this all mean for Europe’s role in the world?

Bookshelf:

Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America by Richard White

This podcast was recorded on 28th of April 2025.

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In this emergency episode of World in 30 Minutes, Mark Leonard is joined by Jana Puglierin, head of ECFR’s Berlin office, to break down what happens next. How have the ministries been divided up? What does it reveal about the direction of the new government? And how will it shape Germany’s role in Europe and the world? 

This podcast was recorded on 30th of April 2025. 

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Kobzova, visiting fellow at ECFR and former foreign policy advisor to Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová, to discuss how diplomacy has shifted in recent days. How serious are Trump’s threats to walk away from the peace process? Could direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia soon follow? And what options remain for Europe if the United States steps back from supporting Ukraine?

This podcast was recorded on 28th of April 2025.

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of ECFR’s MENA programme; Mohsen Milani, executive director of the Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies and professor of politics at the University of South Florida; and Nathalie Tocci, director of the Institute of International Affairs (IAI) in Rome, to explore what both the US and Iran really want out of the talks. What role can Europe play, especially after its failed efforts to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)? And how do powers like China and Russia fit into the US-Iran equation?

This podcast episode was recorded on April 24th 2025.

Bookshelf:

No country for love by Yaroslav Trofimov

Capernaum by Khaled Mouzanar

Iran's Rise and Rivalry With the Us in the Middle East: Iran's Rise and Its Geostrategic Rivalry With the Us in the Middle East by Mohsen Milani

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Agathe Demarais, ECFR senior policy fellow and head of its geoeconomics initiative, and Janka Oertel, director of ECFR’s Asia programme, to delve into the complexities of the China-US trade war. Together, they explore the current tariff landscape, the strategies employed by both nations, and the implications for Europe and other external actors. They also discuss China’s aggressive response, potential trade chokepoints and the potential for regional diplomacy.

Who will blink first, Xi Jinping or Trump? Is this a full decoupling of the American and Chinese economies? And what risks and opportunities does the US-China trade war carry for Europe?

This podcast episode was recorded on April 17th 2025.

Bookshelf:

The Most Dangerous Place: A History of the United States in South Asia by Srinath Raghavan

The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna

GeoTechnoGraphy: Mapping Power and Identity in the Digital Age by Samir Saran and Anirban Sarma

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Mark and Mujtaba discuss the urgency of deeper cooperation on security and defence, the complexity of trade relations, and the need for joint solutions on migration and climate. With a crucial EU-UK summit taking place on May 19th, they argue for an ambitious strategy that includes dynamic alignment, a serious look at the customs union debate, and bolder thinking on how to rebuild trust and deliver tangible results on both sides of the Channel. Can the UK and EU find common ground, or will political caution get in the way? Will ambition triumph over pragmatism? And, in this new chapter, what does success really look like for EU-UK relations?

Bookshelf:

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor

House of Huawei: The Secret History of China's Most Powerful Company by Eva Dou

This podcast was recorded on April 8th.

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The conversation dives into Taiwan’s efforts to secure US support through economic investments like TSMC’s Arizona project and its “porcupine strategy” to deter Chinese invasion, while drawing striking parallels with Ukraine’s resilience. They also examine Europe’s stake in the Indo-Pacific, from safeguarding supply chains to supporting democratic allies. Can Taiwan’s bristly defences hold off China? Or will it need more from its partners to weather this storm? 

This podcast was recorded on 1st April. 

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Mark and Agathe discuss the economic shockwaves hitting the US—where tariffs threaten inflation and the acceleration of a looming recession—as well as their cascading effects on Europe and the global trade system. From the EU’s strategic retaliation options to the fracturing of globalisation, they ask: is this a fleeting disruption or the dawn of a chaotic new economic order?

This podcast was recorded on 3 April.

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Mark and Célia discuss the fallout in France—from the RN’s shock and unpreparedness for the court case outcome—to the broader ripples across Europe, where other populist leaders face similar legal challenges. Is this a triumph for judicial accountability? Or a risky move that could fuel populist backlash?

This podcast was recorded on 1 April 2025.

Slip of Le Pen: How the conviction of the French politician will fuel Europe’s far right by Célia Bélin, Camille Lons and Pawel Zerka.

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Together, they explore how Donald Trump’s unpredictable policies are prompting Europe to rethink its strategic ties, spotlighting the European Commission’s high-profile visit to India led by Ursula von der Leyen. The panel examines Europe’s outreach to countries like India, Japan and South Korea; the complexities of its relationship with China; and the mixed reactions across European capitals—from Paris’ push for strategic autonomy to Rome’s wariness of Chinese investments. They also delve into India’s enthusiastic view of Trump and the potential for a reinvigorated EU-India partnership. Could this geopolitical moment redefine global alliances—or deepen existing divides? 

This podcast was recorded on 27th March. 

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Mark and Jeremy then turn their focus to Riyadh, where whispers of a US-Russia pact are surfacing. This could mean reviving Russia’s agricultural markets, securing a Black Sea ceasefire and halting assaults on energy infrastructure. But alarm bells are ringing and Ukraine might be left in the cold. Worse yet, the Trump administration seems to be drifting away from supporting European defence while cosying up to Putin. Could the US truly be forsaking its historic role as Europe’s guardian?

This podcast was recorded on 26th March.

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Their conversation examines Turkey’s deeply polarised society, the significant role of its Kurdish minority and Erdogan’s strategic manoeuvring in a rapidly evolving global landscape, especially following Donald Trump’s re-election. As Europe’s influence over Turkey weakens, Mark and Aslı consider the broader implications for the future of Turkish politics and its increasingly strained relationship with the West.

This podcast was recorded on 24 March.

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With trade wars looming and the US flexing its power, Mark and his guests delve into Tobias’s new policy brief, Brussels hold’em: European cards against Trumpian coercion. They outline which tools Europe can use—from trade tariffs and service restrictions, to targeting tech giants like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Tesla, to curbing data flows and licences for firms like BlackRock—to apply leverage over Trump’s administration. The discussion weighs the costs of deterrence, the risk of escalation into security domains like NATO, and the threat posed by tech tycoons to European democracy. Can Europe stand firm without shooting itself in the foot? 

This podcast was recorded on 20th March. 

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Mark and Kirill explore the three key outcomes: a prisoner exchange of 175 individuals from each side; an agreement to cease attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days; and a shift from informal diplomacy to official expert discussions on conflict settlement.  

The conversation also delves into the contrasting post-call read-outs from the White House and the Kremlin; where Russia is projecting assertiveness, the US has adopted a more diplomatic tone. What does the phone call mean for the Ukraine conflict? And why is Europe conspicuously absent from the discussion? 

This podcast was recorded on 19 March 2025.

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Tooze calls for Europe to develop a united, stronger response to these changes. With the US distracted and China ahead in manufacturing areas such as tech and automotive, Europe needs major investments in finance, industry and technology. Tooze sees less risk in US trade disputes but warns Europe must act to stay relevant. But can Europe meet this challenge?

This podcast was recorded on 17th March. 

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, ECFR senior policy fellow and head of the Paris office, Piotr Buras, ECFR senior policy fellow and head of the Warsaw office, Teresa Coratella, ECFR policy fellow and deputy head of the Rome office, Rafael Loss, ECFR policy fellow, José Ignacio Torreblanca, ECFR senior policy fellow and head of the Madrid office and Maria Simeonova, head of ECFR Sofia, for a special episode recorded in Prague where ECFR gathered for its annual staff retreat. 

Together with Mark, this week’s guests explore how Trump 2.0 is forcing Europe to confront its vulnerabilities and rethink many assumptions which it had long taken for granted. 

This podcast was recorded on March 13th 

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This podcast was recorded on 12 March. 

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of ECFR’s MENA programme, Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of ECFR’s MENA programme, and Hugh Lovatt, ECFR senior policy fellow. The team has just returned from a research trip to Damascus, where they met with Syria’s new government officials and civil society members. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa, what is the mood in the country? How has governance evolved under the new leadership, and what challenges persist? What role can—and should—Europe play in shaping Syria’s post-war reality? And do Syria’s new politics offer an opportunity for Europe to counter Russian influence? 

Bookshelf:

Kleptopia: How Dirty Money is Conquering the World by Tom Burgis

Movies: The Swimmers, No Other Land, The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Kingdoms of Faith A New History of Islamic Spain by Brian A. Catlos

This podcast was recorded on March 4th 2025

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To kick things off, Mark Leonard welcomes Nicu Popescu, ECFR distinguished policy fellow, to discuss the war effort and Europe's role in supporting Kyiv after the US paused all aid shipments to Ukraine. As uncertainty looms, European nations face mounting pressure to step up their support. What kind of aid has the US halted, and how will this impact Ukraine’s ability to defend itself on the battlefield? Can mediation help Europeans engage with Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky? And what, in practical terms, what can Europeans realistically do?

 This podcast was recorded on March 5th 2025

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Cliffe, ECFR editorial director and senior policy fellow; Jana Puglierin, ECFR’s Berlin office head and senior policy fellow; Marie Dumoulin, director of ECFR’s Wider Europe programme; and Piotr Buras, ECFR’s Warsaw office head and senior policy fellow, to discuss the results of Germany’s federal election. What kind of coalition is likely to emerge, and how stable will it be? How are Paris and Warsaw receiving the election result? Could Germany’s change in government lead to a closer Franco-German and Polish-German relationship? And what does the likelihood of Friedrich Merz as the next chancellor mean for the future of transatlantic ties?

Bookshelf:

Worte, die die Welt beherrschen by Jörg Lau

The Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century by Sergei Goryev and Daniel Treisman

Brothers and Ghosts by Khuê Pham

Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and The Breaking of America by Maggie Haberman

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Hal Brands, the Henry Kissinger distinguished professor at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, to discuss his new book, The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World. What inspired him to write it? How is the second Eurasian century, driven by the authoritarian axis of Russia, China, and Iran, emerging? And how does Donald Trump change the equation between liberal powers and the authoritarian Eurasian heartland?

Bookshelf:

The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World by Hal Brands

By More Than Providence by Michael J. Green

This podcast was recorded on 10 January 2025

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In this episode, recorded live from the Munich Security Conference, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Ulrike Franke, distinguished policy fellow Camille Grand, senior policy fellow and director of ECFR’s Asia programme Janka Oertel, and senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Berlin office Jana Puglierin. Together, they unpack this year's conference and discuss the state of transatlantic relations and the condition of European security. What do Trump’s plans for peace talks entail for Ukraine? How can Europe secure a role in the negotiations? And what must Europeans do to provide solid security guarantees and secure the continent’s future?

Bookshelf

Ende der China-Illusion by Janka Oertel

Transatlantic twilight: European public opinion and the long shadow of Trump by Jana Puglierin, Arturo Varvelli and Pawel Zerka

The Plot against America by Philip Roth

Es werden schöne Tage kommen by Zach Williams

Die Rückkehr des Krieges by Franz-Stefan Gady

The Age of Unpeace by Mark Leonard

This podcast was recorded during the Munich Security Conference (14-16 February 2024)

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This podcast was recorded on January 28 2025

Bookshelf

The Norwegian way: Why Oslo talks with everyone and still believes in multilateralism by Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik

The Art of Diplomacy: How American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements that Changed the World by Stuart Eisenstadt

The Last Colony: A Tale of Exile, Justice and Britain's Colonial Legacy by Philip Sands

Non-Zero: The Logic of Human Destiny by Robert Wright

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Lons, deputy head of ECFR’s Paris office, Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, deputy head of ECFR’s Warsaw office, Jana Puglierin, head of ECFR’s Berlin office, José Ignacio Torreblanca, head of ECFR’s Madrid office and Arturo Varvelli, head of ECFR’s Rome office, to discuss how European capitals are responding to Trump’s dramatic return to the White House. Which major issues are they trying to deal with? And how are Europeans and the EU preparing for all the disruption to come? 

Bookshelf: 

Geopolitics and Democracy: The Western Liberal Order from Foundation to Fracture by Peter Trubowitz and Brian Burgoon 

Orbital by Samatha Harvey 

Realpolitik How to face the global disorder by Giampiero Massolo 

The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser 

Cocktail sugar : et autres nouvelles de Corée by Kim Ae-ran, Go Eun-ju, Jeon Gyeong-nin, Eun Hee-kyung, Oh Jung-hi, Han Kang, Park Chan-Soon, Pak Wan-So 

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Carl Bildt, co-chair of ECFR’s council and former prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden, and Arancha González, dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Science Po and former foreign minister of Spain, to discuss their insights from public conversations and private meetings at this year’s WEF. What is most striking about the 2025 edition? How is the mood around the global economy? And does Trump’s return mean for the threat of tariffs and war in Ukraine?

Bookshelf:

Open but Secure: Europe’s Path to Strategic Interdependence by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with ECFR

This podcast was recorded on January 23rd 2025

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes editorial director and senior policy fellow Jeremy Cliffe, and ECFR’s Berlin office head and senior policy fellow Jana Puglierin, to discuss their new podcast, and Merz’s foreign and domestic policies. What exactly is the “Merz Doctrine”? How might Merz deal with the second Trump administration? And what are his views on Russia and Ukraine?

The podcast was recorded on January 16th 2025

Bookshelf:

The Divider Trump in the White House, 2017-2021by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser

Alone in a Trumpian world: The EU and global public opinion after the US elections by Timothy Garton Ash, Ivan Krastev, Mark Leonard 

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Joanna Bekker, deputy managing director at leading Polish think-tank Polityka Insight, Piotr Buras, head of ECFR’s Warsaw office, and Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, deputy head of ECFR’s Warsaw office, to discuss Poland’s presidency of the EU Council. What does its motto of “security” mean for Europe in practice? Will the upcoming Polish presidential election impact its direction? And, with France and Germany missing in action, can Poland seize the moment to assume greater leadership in Europe?

Bookshelf:

Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz

Kaput: The End of the German Miracle by Wolfgang Münchau

Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder

This podcast was recorded on 8 January 2025

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Let us know if you think they missed something! Write your own predictions in to Mark via mark.leonard@ecfr.eu.

Bookshelf:

A Nasty Little War: The West's Fight to Reverse the Russian Revolution by Anna Reid

Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future by Patrick J. Deneen

2024: The year we embrace predictable surprise by Mark Leonard and Jeremy Shapiro  

This podcast was recorded on 27 December 2024

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand, distinguished policy fellow at ECFR and former assistant secretary general for defence investment at NATO, Jana Kobsova, visiting fellow at ECFR and foreign policy advisor to Slovak president Zuzana Caputová, and Nicu Popescu, former Moldova foreign minister and distinguished policy fellow at ECFR, to discuss the ongoing negotiations. Which different scenarios are being discussed? What stage are these discussions at? Can Europeans help to shore up Ukraine at this critical stage—and, crucially, can the EU provide it with long-term security guarantees?

Bookshelf:

The Anatomy of a Moment: Thirty-Five Minutes in History and Imagination by Javier Cercas

Faustian Bargain: The Soviet-German Partnership and the Origins of the Second World War by Ian Ona Johnson

Talks with T. G. Masaryk by Karel Čapek

How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read by Pierre Bayard

This podcast was recorded on 18 December 2024

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Agathe Demarais, ECFR’s geoeconomics lead, and Abraham Newman, professor at the School of Foreign Service and the Department of Government at Georgetown University, and co-author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, to discuss how Europe can overcome its internal dysfunction when it comes to geoeconomics. How can Europe remain relevant in geoeconomics? What are the main obstacles to it doing so? And what risks does Europe face by sticking to business as usual?

Bookshelf:

The Nightingale Gallery by Paul Doherty

Europe Must Unlock Its Geoeconomic Power by Agathe Demarais and Abraham Newman

The Other '68ers: Student Protest and Christian Democracy in West Germany by Anna Von Der Goltz

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of ECFR’s MENA programme, Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of ECFR’s MENA programme, and Vali Nasr, Majid Khadduri professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, to discuss the Middle East and changing global dynamics. How might the fall of the Assad regime reshape the region’s political and security landscape? What does the development mean for Syria? And how are regional powers adapting to the uncertainty of the second Trump administration?

This podcast was recorded on 7 December 2024 

Bookshelf:

Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

In Praise of Hatred by Khaled Khalifa

Why War ? By Richard Overy

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Marie Dumoulin, director of ECFR’s Wider Europe programme, and Jeremy Shapiro, head of ECFR’s Washington office, to discuss how Trump’s re-election could affect the war in Ukraine, international efforts for peace, and potential end-game scenarios. Which tools could a Trump administration use to bring both sides to the negotiating table? Who is Keith Kellogg, Trump’s pick as Ukraine envoy? How might Europeans help Ukraine defend itself if the US is out of the picture? And how will the different sides use the period until Trump’s inauguration to advance their positions?

This podcast was recorded on 4 December 2024

Bookshelf:

L'Ukraine, la République et les oligarques by Sébastien Gobert

Notre homme à Washington by Régis Genté

The Embrace of Unreason: France, 1914-1920 by Frederick Brown

Imagining Trump 2.0: Six scary policy scenarios for a second term by Célia Belin, Majda Ruge and Jeremy Shapiro

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of ECFR’s MENA programme and interim director of the Africa programme, to discuss the recent agreement. Why did Israel and Hezbollah agree to the ceasefire now? What are the terms? What makes this ceasefire different in terms of enforcement? What does a potential end to the conflict mean for Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon? And what are the chances of a ceasefire in Gaza?

Bookshelf:

The Wager by David Grann

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes José Ignacio Torreblanca, senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Madrid office, and Pawel Zerka, senior policy fellow, to discuss Brazil’s role in a changing world order. What are the main takeaways from this year’s G20, and how does Brazil view its role in such summits? How is Brazil positioning itself in the world? What types of relationships does Brasilia seek with global south countries, and how does Europe fit into this? And what do Brazilians think about Donald Trump?

Bookshelf:

Forgotten Continent: A History of the New Latin America by Michael Reid

The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley by Marietje Schaake

La France, tu l aimes mais tu la quittes: Enquête sur la diaspora française musulmane by de Collectif, Olivier Esteves, Alice Picard 

Jak biały człowiek by Oliwia Bosomtwe

Brazil: Europe’s bridge to the global south by Carla Hobbs, José Ignacio Torreblanca, Pawel Zerka

This podcast was recorded on 21 November 2024

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, head of ECFR’s Paris office; Piotr Buras, head of ECFR’s Warsaw office; Anna Kuchenbecker, ECFR’s senior director of strategic partnerships; Maria Simeonova, head of ECFR’s Sofia office; and Arturo Varvelli, head of ECFR’s Rome office, to provide a view from the ECFR capitals. How have they reacted to the election result? How should their country governments prepare for Trump? Which challenges does Trump's return to the White House pose for Ukraine in the wider context of European security? How might Trump’s return affect the economy, escalate trade tensions, and reshape relations with China? And, crucially, what does his reelection mean for Europe?

The podcast was recorded on 13 November 13 2024

Bookshelf:

Imagining Trump 2.0: Six scary policy scenarios for a second term by Célia Belin, Jeremy Shapiro, and Majda Ruge

Trump’s return is terrible news for Ukraine. Europe should step into the breach – but will it? by Timothy Garton Ash

Art of the deal: Four ways Europeans can find new trade partners in the Trump era by Alberto Rizzi

Living in Trump’s world by Mark Leonard

Dangerous manoeuvers: How Israel and Iran are preparing for Trump 2.0 by Julien Barnes-Dacey, Ellie Geranmayeh, and Hugh Lovatt

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Cliffe, ECFR’s editorial director, Janka Oertel, ECFR senior policy fellow and director of its Asia programme, and Jana Puglierin, senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Berlin office, to discuss the collapse of the German government coalition. What are the plans for the interim government? Who is Jörg Kukies? What happens if CDU leader Friedrich Merz doesn’t help Scholz out? What does the coalition collapse mean for budget, spending, and the debt break? And how will it impact Germany’s foreign policy, especially considering the war in Ukraine and Trump’s imminent return to the White House?

This podcast was recorded on 8 November 2024

Bookshelf:

Ein deutscher Kanzler: Olaf Scholz, der Krieg und die Angst | Der Kanzlerberichterstatter schreibt das Porträt des Kanzlers aus nächster Nähe by Daniel Brössler

No Trade Is Free: Changing Course, Taking on China, and Helping America's Workers by Robert Lighthizer

Freiheitsschock: Eine andere Geschichte Ostdeutschlands von 1989 bis heute by Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk

Better firefighting: Readying Europe for an age between war and peace by Nicu Popescu and Laurence Boone

Democracy and war: Politics and Identity in a time of global threats by Norbert Röttgen

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, ECFR associate senior policy fellow, and Jeremy Shapiro, research director and ECFR’s US programme director, to discuss the results of the US election 2024. Who turned out for Trump and why? What did Trump do right and what did Harris do wrong? What will a second Trump administration mean for international relations and US foreign policy? How should European leaders respond to the changing political landscape in the US? And what mistakes should they avoid in the era of Trump 2.0?

This podcast was recorded on 6 November 2024

Bookshelf:

Polostan by Neal Stephenson

Imagining Trump 2.0: Six scary policy scenarios for a second term by Célia Belin, Majda Ruge, and Jeremy Shapiro

Trust by Hernan Diaz

Leurs enfants après eux by Nicolas Mathieu

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Tefta Kelmendi, deputy director of the ECFR Wider Europe Programme, and Nicu Popescu, distinguished policy fellow at ECFR, to discuss what was at stake in these elections. What do the results mean for Georgia and Moldova’s EU accession? How did disinformation schemes and vote-buying under Russian influence impact the votes? And what actions should the EU take in response?

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This week Mark Leonard welcomes Agathe Demarais, ECFR geoeconomics programme lead, and Janka Oertel, director of ECFR’s Asia programme, to discuss the implications of EU economic sanctions on China. What does the vote mean for Beijing? Given Germany’s objection to EV tariffs, how might Berlin react to these measures? Does it have the potential to become a trade war? And what lessons on sanctions can Europeans learn from the Russia-Ukraine experience?

Bookshelf:

Hard, fast, and where it hurts: Lessons from Ukraine related sanctions for a Taiwan conflict scenario by Agathe Demarais

The Idea of China by Mark Leonard, Alicia Bachulska, and Janka Oertel

A Midsummer’s Equation: A detective Galileo novel by Keigo Higashino

This podcast was recorded on 18 October 2024

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Will Brown, senior policy fellow at ECFR’s Africa programme; Jonas Horner, ECFR visiting fellow; and Raga Makawi, associate at the Alameda Institute, to discuss the humanitarian and diplomatic dimensions of the crisis in Sudan, and why and how European countries should intervene. Why should Europeans pay more attention to Sudan? What are the implications of this conflict in the region, and for Europe? How does it involve external actors, and what are they pushing for? How likely is a settlement that also addresses the humanitarian situation? And what is the prospect of future peace and order in Sudan?

This episode was recorded on 10 October 2024

Bookshelf:

Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe demands a surge in European support for its civil society by Jonas Horner

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How will Israel respond to Iran’s recent attacks? Will it seek to press home its advantage and attack its nuclear programme? How might Iran try to recreate its deterrence after the decapitation of Hizbullah? How is it thinking about the role of proxies, public opinion, and nuclear weapons? What are the longer-term prospects for the region and for Israel and Palestine? And what is the role of the United States in the region?

This podcast was recorded on 8 October 2024. 

Bookshelf: 

River of Smoke: A Novel (The Ibis Trilogy, 2) by Amitav Ghosh  

The Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor by Nathen Amin  

Israel’s ‘Mission Accomplished’ Moment in the Middle East by Stephen M. Walt  

The Journey by Francesca Sanna 

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, head of ECFR’s Paris office and a fellow in the US programme, and Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR’s research director and head of the US programme. Together, they discuss what a President Harris’s foreign policy might look like. What’s the one thing European policymakers should take away from this episode? On what issues would Harris likely pursue continuity with the current administration? And where might she want to take a different approach?

The podcast was recorded on 3 October, 2024.

Bookshelf:

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Good as gold by Joseph Heller

Swamp Chronicles with Jeremy Shapiro and Asli Aydintasbas 

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Lykke Friis, director of Think Tank Europa; Sylvie Kauffmann, editorial director at Le Monde; and Arturo Varvelli, head of ECFR’s Rome office and senior policy fellow, to discuss Meloni’s ideas to prevent the ‘decline’ of the West. How does she view the trajectory of Western civilisation, and Europe’s future global role? What does Meloni’s rise mean for European politics? Does Meloni truly envisage her political project fitting into prevailing Western ideologies? And how do France and Denmark view the current state of Italy?

This episode was recorded on 25 September 2024

Bookshelf:

Vaterländer by Sabin Tambrea

The Wizard of the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli

Chernobyl: The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe by Serhii Plokhy

Meloni's speech at the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Awards ceremony in New York

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Kobsova, ECFR visiting fellow and recently foreign policy advisor to Slovakian president Zuzana Caputová, and Nicu Popescu, former foreign minister of Moldova and distinguished policy fellow at ECFR, to discuss the domestic state of Ukraine, development of Europe’s war economy, and if and how the conflict could end. Have Ukraine or Russia’s aims – or red lines – changed? What role could Europe play in concluding the war? But how might the EU also prepare for potential further Russian aggression?

This episode was recorded on 16 September 2024

Bookshelf:

Faustian Bargain: The Soviet-German Partnership and the Origins of the Second World War, by Ian Ona Johnson

War and Punishment: The Story of Russian Oppression and Ukrainian Resistance, by Mikhail Zygar

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, senior policy fellow and head of the ECFR Paris office, and Jana Puglierin, senior policy fellow and head of the ECFR Berlin office. Together, they discuss the current state of German and French politics, and the implications for the European Union and European politics overall. What do these election results mean for Germany, and the EU? How long will the ‘firewall’ against the AfD hold? And does France finally have a government again? 

This episode was recorded on 9 September 2024

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Sasha Gabuev, an expert on China and Russia, and director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, and Mikhail Komin, ECFR visiting fellow, and expert on authoritarian regimes, and Russian elites and bureaucracy. They discuss Russia’s motives for joining these organisations, and the impact on the West. Which international institutions is Russia most excited about? Does its membership present a threat to the West? And how can these multinational unions benefit Moscow? 

This episode was recorded on 7 August 2024.

This podcast is part of Re:Order and was produced with support from Stiftung Mercator

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In this week’s episode, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş and Jeremy Shapiro are joined by Robert Kagan, Stephen & Barbara Friedman Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, to examine the underlying forces shaping Donald Trump’s Republican Party ahead of the 2024 election. They discuss the historical origins of his ‘MAGA’ movement, the implications of a potential Trump victory for American and global democracy, and whether Trumpism can endure beyond Trump himself.

Subscribe and stay tuned: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/66d0759bf16c66f62d06e0a3

Music was recorded and produced by Kingston Lindner

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Lynn Kuok, the Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asian Studies at the Brookings Institution, and senior fellow at the University of Cambridge, to discuss how such organisations are shaping regional politics. What impact is membership having on the foreign policy of member states? Why are certain south-east Asian countries attracted to specific organisations? And how might competition between China and the United States benefit the region?

This podcast is part of Re:Order and was produced with support from Stiftung Mercator.

This episode was recorded on 9 August 2024.

Bookshelf

Southeast Asia in the New International Era, by Robert Dayley

Southeast Asia: An Introductory History, by Milton Osborne

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This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Alex Velez-Green, former national security adviser to Republican senator Josh Hawley, and senior adviser at the Heritage Foundation, to discuss the prioritiser perspective. Is the American unipolar moment over? Can the US offer support to both Ukraine and Taiwan, simultaneously? And what should be the priorities for America’s grand strategy in foreign policy?  

This podcast is part of Re:Order and was produced with support from Stiftung Mercator. 

This episode was recorded on 29 July 2024. 

Bookshelf 

The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict, by Elbridge Colby 

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In this episode of the Re:Order summer series, Mark Leonard welcomes bestselling author and S.T. Lee chair in US-Asia relations at the Harvard Kennedy School Rana Mitter to discuss China’s positioning vis-à-vis the West. How does China engage with ASEAN? How are economic flows and institutions shaping the fast-changing region? Are their institutions shadow organisations of the West or trying to challenge the West?

This episode was recorded on 26 June 2024. 

This podcast is part of Re:Order and was produced with support from Stiftung Mercator. 

Bookshelf 

China steps out: Beijing’s Major Power Engagement with the Developing World, by Johsua Eisemann 

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In this week’s Europe in 30 Minutes special episode, deputy director of ECFR Vessela Tcherneva welcomes welcomes distinguished policy fellow Camille Grand, who leads ECFR's defence intitative, senior policy fellow Gustav Gressel, who focuses on Russia, eastern Europe, and defence policy, and senior policy fellow Kadri Liik, an expert on Russian domestic and foreign policy. Who are the winners and losers of this historic prisoner swap? What kinds of messages does this send domestically in the US, Russia, and Germany? And why did this take place in Turkey?

This episode was recorded on 5 August 2024.

Bookshelf

The Brothers Lionheart, by Astrid Lindgren

Perestroika, by Mikhail Gorbachev

The Idea of China, by Alicja Bachulska, Mark Leonard, and Janka Oertel

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In this episode of our special Re:Order series, Mark Leonard welcomes bestselling author on Brazilian foreign policy, Matias Spektor, who is founder and professor at the School of International Relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro, to discuss Brazil’s role in the new global order. How does the country’s past inform its diplomatic morals and norms today? What international institutions are central to Brazil’s identity and to what extent are they a reaction or complementary to Western-led formats?

This podcast is part of Re:Order and was produced with support from Stiftung Mercator.

This episode was recorded on 24 July 2024.

Bookshelf

Nemesis: One Man and the Battle for Rio, by Misha Glenny

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In the latest episode of the World in 30 Minutes, Mark Leonard welcomes his fellow authors – policy fellow Alicja Bachulska, and ECFR Asia programme director and senior policy fellow, Janka Oertel – to discuss the book’s themes: power, progress, and people. How is the global order shifting vis-à-vis China and US competition? In what ways are Chinese thinkers writing and defining progress, and how does this differ from Western conceptions of progress? And what do these thinkers have to say on the demographic future of China?

In:Sight China is supported by Stiftung Mercator and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Ireland.

This episode was recorded on 22 July 2024.

Bookshelf

The Idea of China, by Alicja Bachulska, Mark Leonard, and Janka Oertel

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In this episode of ‘The world after the West’ Re:Order series, Mark Leonard welcomes Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, the practice head for south Asia at the Eurasia Group to discuss the role of India in today’s understanding of a new global order. What institutions does India participate in and why? Which of these are most central to its identity? And to what extent are these institutions a counter-reaction to Western hegemony?

This episode was recorded on June 25, 2024.

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In this month’s episode of Europe in 30 Minutes, deputy director of ECFR Vessela Tcherneva welcomes Camille Grand, Paris office deputy head Camille Lons, Warsaw office deputy head Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, and Berlin office head Jana Puglierin to discuss the national implications for France, Poland, and Germany, should the US withdraw support for NATO. How can Europe reconcile depending less on the US for its defence, while fostering a strong EU-NATO relationship? What would be the biggest challenges facing the French, Polish, and German militaries? And what impact might this have on Ukraine? 

Bookshelf 

Defending Europe with less America, by Camille Grand 

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In this special episode, Mark Leonard welcomes the head of ECFR Paris and senior policy fellow Célia Belin to discuss the unexpected results of this snap election. What changed between the first and second round that led to such drastically different results? How are parties organising themselves within their electoral alliances? What are the coalition options for this new distribution in the National Assembly and who is the leading choice for prime minister?  

Bookshelf  

Ravage, by René Barjavel 

Represent, directed by Francois Uzan and Jean-Pascal Zadi 

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In this emergency episode of the World in 30 Minutes, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR Council Member and French Europe Minister, Laurence Boone, the last British European commissioner before Brexit, Julian King, and Britain’s former permanent representative to the EU, Ivan Rogers, to discuss what the Labour victory means for the UK and Europe. What are prime minister Keir Starmer’s, and new foreign secretary David Lammy’s, plan for future EU-UK relations? And, in turn, what exactly does Europe expect from the UK? 

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In the second episode of the Re:Order series, Mark Leonard welcomes Nasser Hadian, professor of political science at the University of Tehran, where he served as the director of graduate studies, to delve into Iran’s geopolitical positioning. To what extent does Iran replicate its strategy of regional influence and deterrence on the world stage[PK2] ? How does Iran’s relationships with China and Russia affect the global order? How does Iranian participation in new institutions such as BRICS+ and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation shape both the organisations themselves and Iran’s foreign policy?

This podcast is part of Re:Order and was produced with support from Stiftung Mercator.

We encountered some technical difficulties during the recording process and apologize for the not optimal sound quality.

Bookshelf

Works by Javad Zarif

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For the first episode in the RE:Order series, Mark Leonard welcomes Ayşe Zarakol, professor of international relations at the University of Cambridge and author of “Before the West: the Rise and Fall of Eastern World Order” (2022),  to discuss the framework of  global order beyond its Western conceptions. How do middle power institutions leverage their membership to develop an identity separate to the historically dominant blocs? What can non-Western institutions such as BRICS+ offer dissatisfied ‘middle’ countries? And how is Turkey using these in the context of a new global order?

Bookshelf

Before the West: the Rise and Fall of Eastern World Order, by Ayşe Zarakol

The Other Great Game: The Opening of Korea and the Birth of Modern East Asia, by Sheila Miyoshi Jager

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In this week’s special episode of Europe in 30 Minutes, deputy director of ECFR Vessela Tcherneva welcomes the ECFR national office heads of Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Sofia and Warsaw, Jana Puglierin, Célia Belin, José Ignacio Torreblanca,  Arturo Varvelli, Maria Simeonova, and Piotr Buras, to discuss national implications of the EU elections. What might a weakened Scholz and strengthened Meloni mean for Europe’s future? Which coalitions are likely in Bulgaria? How can Tusk leverage his national support at EU level? And what is Macron’s thinking behind calling France’s snap election?

Bookshelf section

Winds of change: the EU’s green agenda after the European Parliament election, by Susi Dennison, Mats Engström, and Carla Hobbs.

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Shapiro, director of research and director of ECFR’s US programme, to discuss the next moves in US policy on Russia’s war in Ukraine. What are the motivations behind the Biden administration’s latest decision? What is the American domestic consensus on supporting the war in Ukraine? And is it possible for NATO to protect itself from Trump?

This episode was recorded on 5 June 2024.

Bookshelf

U.S. escalation in Ukraine needs a plan, by Jeremy Shapiro and Samuel Charap

Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’'s First Empire, by Eckart Frahm

New Cold Wars: China’s Rise, Russia’s Invasion, and America’s Struggle to Defend the West, by David E. Sanger

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Angela Zhang, associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong and director of the Philip K.H. Wong Centre for Chinese Law, to discuss China’s big tech regulation. How is China regulating its big tech firms? What role do these firms play in China’s competition with Europe and the United States? And what are the lessons for Europe’s own attempts at tech regulation?

This episode was recorded on 21 May 2024

Bookshelf

High Wire: How China Regulates Big Tech and Governs Its Economy, by Angela Zhang

Wuhan: How the COVID-19 Outbreak in China Spiraled Out of Control, by Dali L. Yang

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Andrew Wilson, senior policy fellow at ECFR and professor of Ukrainian studies at University College London, to discuss political technology and the globalisation of political manipulation. Where did the term political technology originate? How does it spread? And what can democracies do to defend themselves? 

This episode was recorded on 21 May 2024 

Bookshelf 

Political Technology: The Globalisation of Political Manipulation, by Andrew Wilson 

How to Steal a Presidential Election, by Lawrence Lessig and Matthew Seligman 

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Robbie Diamond, founder and CEO of SAFE, and of its European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES), and Janka Oertel, director of ECFR’s Asia programme and co-author of ECFR’s upcoming policy brief on de-risking, to discuss de-risking and the future of Europe’s green industries. How should the EU tackle the issue of dependency on China? Is it possible to find a sweet spot between successful de-risking and not slowing down the green transition? And how is the US response different from the EU’s? 

This episode was recorded on 15 May 2024 

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes former Italian prime minister and ECFR council member Enrico Letta to discuss his report examining the European single market’s future. Why is the single market so important? How can it be improved to meet today’s geopolitical challenges? And what are the dangers if the EU doesn’t adapt?

This podcast was recorded on 26 April 2024.

Bookshelf

Salviamo l’Europa: Otto parole per riscrivere il futuro by Michele Bellini

L’Europe enfla si bien qu’elle creva: De 27 à 36 États? by Sylvie Goulard

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Live from the ECFR staff retreat in Bologna, Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Puglierin, Célia Belin, José Ignacio Torreblanca, Arturo Varvelli, Maria Simeonova, and Piotr Buras, the heads of our Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Sofia, and Warsaw offices, respectively, to discuss the election. In addition to giving their best guesses as to who will get what jobs, they will take a closer look at how domestic politics is likely to influence the elections and shape the Europe that emerges from them. 

The podcast was recorded on 28 April 2024

Bookshelf 

Battle redux: Macron, Le Pen, and France’s European election campaign by Célia Belin 

The long shadow of the populists: Donald Tusk’s first 100 days by Piotr Buras 

Turning point or turning back: German defence policy after Zeitenwende by Jana Puglierin 

Hanging in the balance: How to save Bulgaria’s foreign policy from political turmoil by Maria Simeonova 

La hora más crítica de la Unión Europea by José Ignacio Torreblanca 

The Atlantic is not enough: The Italian government’s difficult relations in Europe by Arturo Varvelli  

The European Union as a War Project: Five Pathways toward a Geopolitical Europe by Mark Leonard  

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder and chairman of national security think-tank Silverado Policy Accelerator, to discuss US-China competition and the likelihood of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. What would the consequences of an invasion be? What can the US do about it? And what role should Europeans play in all of this?

This episode was recorded on 25 April 2024

Bookshelf:

To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power by Sergey Radchenko

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Hugh Lovatt and chief of programmes and communications at the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, Muhammad Shehada from Gaza, to discuss the war in Gaza and the prospects for Palestinian statehood. What pathways for a solution to the conflict remain? Should the emphasis continue to be on Palestinian statehood, or on self-determination in a broader sense? Can Europeans play a constructive role in finding a peaceful solution? 

This episode was recorded on 17 April 2024 

 Bookshelf: 

Crossing the Divide: Intergroup Leadership in a World of Difference by Todd Pittinsky 

The Bank Manager and the Holy Grail: Travels to the Weirder Reaches of Wales by Byron Rogers  

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In this special episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme, and Hamidreza Azizi, visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, where he focuses on Iranian foreign policy and regional issues. But the attack remains historically unprecedented and leaves the Middle East sliding to the edge of a regional war. What motivated Iran to attack? How will Israel respond? And what role is the us playing?

The podcast was recorded on 14 April 2024

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Agathe Demarais, visiting fellow Cinzia Bianco, and policy fellow and Deputy Head of ECFR’s Paris office, Camille Lons, to discuss the geoeconomics of the Gulf. How have the UAE and Saudi Arabia managed to juggle different competing powers? What lessons do their strategies hold for other middle powers? And what should the European Union be doing to pursue its own interests in the region? 

This episode was recorded on 11 April 2024 

Bookshelf: 

3 Body Problem – a Netflix TV Series by David Benioff, Daniel Weiss, and Alexander Woo 

Blind Man’s Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage by Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew, with Annette Lawrence Drew 

The Power of Currencies and Currencies of Power by Alan Wheatley 

There’s Still Tomorrow – a film by Paolo Cortellesi 

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In this week’s episode, following the launch of ECFR’s Washington office, Mark Leonard welcomes national security reporter at Politico, Alexander Ward, and research director and director of ECFR’s new US programme, Jeremy Shapiro, to discuss Biden’s foreign policy performance. Has it been a success? Where has it fallen short of the goals Biden set? And has his team of foreign policy experts lived up to the promise of restoring America’s foreign policy?

This episode was recorded on 27 March 2024

Bookshelf: 

The Internationalists: The Fight to Restore American Foreign Policy after Trump by Alexander Ward

20 Days in Mariupol - an AP News and Frontline documentary film by Mstyslav Chernov

Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability by Michael Kimmage 

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR senior policy fellow Anthony Dworkin to discuss the role of international law and justice in an increasingly fragmented world. What are the limits of international law? Is there any merit in accusations of Western double standards? And what role can international law play when it comes to justice in Ukraine, Gaza, and other places around the world?

This episode was recorded on 13 March 2024 

Bookshelf

Equality: The History of an Elusive Idea by Darrin M. McMahon

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Ulrike Franke and senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Berlin Office, Jana Puglierin, to discuss the current state of Germany’s policy on the war in Ukraine and European defence. What does the recent turmoil say about Germany’s strategic culture and its so-called Zeitenwende? What are the sources of tension for Franco-German defence relations? And how much potential does the attempted revival of the Weimar triangle between Berlin, Paris, and Warsaw have for agreeing on a common path forward? 

This episode was recorded on 18 March 2024 

Bookshelf: 

Zeitenwende: The Bundeswehr’s Paradigm Shift by Léo Péria-Peigné and Elie Tenenbaum 

Breaking Bad – an AMC television series  

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR senior policy fellow, Agathe Demarais, and senior director at risk advisory firm Global Counsel, Stephen Adams, to discuss de-risking and its impact on European countries and the global economy. Where did the phrase originate? What does de-risking mean in practice? And what does an economic landscape conditioned by de-risking look like?

Bookshelf:

Underground Empire, by Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman

State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974, by Dominic Sandbrook

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Hugh Lovatt, director of ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme Julien Barnes-Dacey, and research director and director of ECFR’s new US programme Jeremy Shapiro. Together, they discuss the current situation in Gaza and how the war could create the opportunity for a “grand bargain” which could unblock the previously stuck status quo and solve the decades-long Arab-Israeli conflict. How likely is it that there will be a ceasefire in time for Ramadan? How are US and European governments responding to the war? And what are the odds that we could end up with a grand bargain that results in a two-state solution?

This episode was recorded on 7 March 2024.

Bookshelf:

The Gaza Crisis: Mapping the Middle East's Shifting Battle Lines by Hugh Lovatt, Julien Barnes-Dacey and Cinzia Bianco

The Secret World: A History of Intelligence by Christopher Andrew

Crash Landing on You – a tvN television series

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

Gaza: A History by Jean-Pierre Filiu

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In this episode, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR’s board member Ivan Krastev, who is the chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and a permanent fellow at Vienna’s Institute for Human Sciences. Together they discuss how NATO accession could strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position vis-à-vis Russia and if it could enforce the West’s red lines in Ukraine in the same way as it did in West Germany almost 70 years ago. How should the West approach negotiations with Moscow? What is the de-escalation potential of Ukraine’s NATO membership? How can Europeans ensure a durable peace on the continent?

This podcast was recorded on 23 February 2024.

Bookshelf:

How Civil Wars Start by Barbara F. Walter

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In this episode, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Gustav Gressel and ECFR’s research director Jeremy Shapiro, who also heads our new US programme, to understand which factors will determine the course of the war in the coming year. Who does the current status quo most benefit? Could Ukraine’s recent setbacks and Navalny’s death encourage more Western support for Kyiv? And what impact will elections in Europe and the US have?

This podcast was recorded on 21 February 2024.

Bookshelf:

The Secret World: A History of Intelligence by Christopher Andrew

Wars and elections: How European leaders can maintain public support for Ukraine by Mark Leonard and Ivan Krastev

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In this episode, recorded live from the Munich Security Conference, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR board member Arancha González Laya, former Spanish foreign minister and current dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, along with distinguished policy fellow Camille Grand, who leads ECFR’s brand new defence initiative. Together, they discuss how Europeans can prepare for a second Trump presidency. What dangers does a second Trump term hold for Europe? How should it respond if Trump abandons Ukraine on his first day in office? What consequences will America’s gradual disengagement have for Europe’s role in the world?

This podcast was recorded during the Munich Security Conference (16-18 February 2024)

Bookshelf:

The Divider, Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser

Les Aveuglés, comment Berlin et Paris ont laissé la voie libre à la Russie by Sylvie Kauffmann

Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity by Sander van der Linden

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In this episode, Mark Leonard welcomes political scientist Joseph Nye, who served as the former assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs and chair of the national intelligence council during Bill Clinton’s first presidency. He is also the former Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and co-founder to the international relations theory of neoliberalism. Together, they discuss Nye’s new book “A Life in the American Century”. Are there similarities between today’s great power competition and the days of the cold war? Should we be optimistic about America’s (and by extension, the West’s) long-term prospects? Where is China headed?

This podcast was recorded on 7 February 2024.

Bookshelf:

A Life in the American Century | Joseph Nye

Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology | Chris Miller

Overreach: How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise | Susan L. Shirk

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From the event in Brussels, Mark Leonard welcomes distinguished policy fellow Camille Grand, who is the former assistant secretary general for defence investment at NATO and is now leading ECFR’s work on defence and disruptive technologies in European security. Together, they discuss where Europe’s defence sector is headed. What is the current state of play? How can NATO and the EU work together while avoiding duplication? What should Europeans be doing to plan for the day when they can no longer depend on US security guarantees?

This podcast was recorded on 1 February 2024.

Bookshelf:

Les Aveuglés, comment Berlin et Paris ont laissé la voie libre à la Russie | Sylvie Kauffmann

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In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes visiting fellow Cinzia Bianco, an expert in the Gulf region, and Theodore Murphy, director of ECFR’s Africa programme. Together, they discuss the crisis in the Red Sea and its escalation potential. What are the Houthis’s motivations? How have countries on the Red Sea reacted to the crisis? What makes the Red Sea such a geopolitical tinderbox, and what should Europe’s role be?

This podcast was recorded on 25 January 2024.

Bookshelf:

Yemen in Crisis: The Road to War | Helen Lackner

To Rule the Waves: How Control of the World's Oceans Shapes the Fate of the Superpowers | Bruce Jones

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.