Podcasts about European Council

In der aktuellen Folge "weltbewegt" geht es um die Herausforderungen des russischen Imperialismus für Europa. Eine Veranstaltung des Schelling-Forums der BAdW in Würzburg vom 24. Juni 2025 im Gartenpavillon des Juliusspitals. Die Journalistin Cathrin Kahlweit (SZ) spricht mit Jana Puglierin, Senior Policy Fellow beim European Council on Foreign Relations, dem Osteuropaexperten Martin Schulze Wessel und dem Politikwissenschaftler und Experten für bewaffnete Konflikte, Carlo Masala.

We speak to Germany's Minister of State for Europe, Gunther Krichbaum, on the day that NATO leaders convened for a crunch summit in The Hague that approved a higher defence spending target of 5 percent of GDP. Krichbaum argues that the current "irritations" in the transatlantic relationship make it even more important for Europe to define its own interests, especially in defence policy. A staunch Francophile and French speaker, Krichbaum argues that it is time for Germany and France to find a consensus and an atmosphere of trust. "This is now the new dimension of French-German relations," he states.

At a jam-packed EU summit in Brussels, we caught up with Sweden's EU Affairs Minister, Jessica Rosencrantz. Bouncing off Slovakia's and Hungary's opposition to a potential new round of Russia sanctions, she touches on the Hungarian government's ban on this Saturday's Pride march, insisting that the EU must be prepared to use "all the tools in its toolbox" to make sure that the rule of law is respected.

After promising his MAGA base that he wouldn't get the US into any further foreign entanglements, Donald Trump had a big week on the international stage.He's claiming the strikes on Iran, and the defence spending pledges at NATO as big successes, but can he square them with his promise of 'America First'?Guest: Carl Bildt, Prime Minister of Sweden 1991-1994, foreign minister 2006-2014, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign RelationsRecommendations:Geraldine: 'This is the ‘beginning of the end' for Iran's supreme leader. But what comes next?', Roland Oliphant in AFR'If This Mideast War Is Over, Get Ready for Some Interesting Politics', Tom Friedman in the New York TimesHamish: James, by Percival EverettGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

** NATO members agree to raise defence spending to 5 percent of GDP... ** Ukrainian President Zelenskyy addresses European Council, demands Russia face justice... And in tennis, ** Australia's young shooting star, Maya Joint, has defeated British star Emma Raducanu. News from today's live program (1-2pm). - ***オランダのハーグで開催されていた、NATO首脳会議で、 加盟国は国防費の割合を国内総生産の5％に引き上げることを合意しました。 *** ウクライナのゼレンスキー大統領は、ロシアのリーダーに対し、 ウクライナ侵攻に関して、法の裁きをうけることを求めています。 *** テニスでは、オーストラリアの若きスター、マヤ・ジョイントが、 イギリスのスター、エマ・ラドゥカヌを破り、 キャリアの新たな一歩をふみだしました。 2025年6月26日放送。

NATO leaders agree to ramp up defence spending to 5% of GDP, with Europe breathing a sigh of relief as U.S. President Donald Trump renews his commitment to the military alliance. Over in Brussels, attention now turns to the European Council summit - with the bloc's leaders set to discuss how to align defence efforts around ongoing support for Ukraine and a volatile situation in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Shell denies renewed reports it is in early stage talks to buy rival BP - a deal that could create an energy giant worth some £200 billion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No episódio desta semana do podcast Diplomatas (IPRI-NOVA) olhámos para os ataques dos Estados Unidos contra três instalações nucleares iranianas, numa operação complexa que incluiu a Base das Lajes, e para a estratégia de Donald Trump para assegurar um cessar-fogo entre Israel e o Irão. O Presidente norte-americano foi também o grande protagonista da cimeira de líderes da NATO, realizada esta semana em Haia, nos Países Baixos. Os Estados-membros comprometeram-se a chegar aos 5% do PIB em despesas militares até 2035 e Luís Montenegro assegurou que Portugal vai alcançar essa meta. Mas só revelou os planos do Governo para antecipar o objectivo dos 2% ainda este ano. A jornalista Teresa de Sousa e o investigador Carlos Gaspar analisaram ainda os dados do último relatório do European Council on Foreign Relations. Entre os 12 países incluídos nas sondagens, Portugal lidera a lista dos inquiridos que revelam ter mais receio de uma “terceira guerra mundial”, da utilização de armas nucleares e do “colapso” da NATO e da União Europeia. Como se explica isto? Texto de António Saraiva LimaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nie do końca wiemy, co Trump myśli o zobowiązaniach wynikających z artykułu 5. Traktatu NATO – mówił w podcaście „Rzecz w tym” Piotr Buras z European Council on Foreign RelationsSzczyt NATO zakończony – to z pozoru sukces, ale czy naprawdę mamy powody do świętowania? W najnowszym odcinku „Rzecz w tym” Michał Szułdrzyński rozmawia z Piotrem Burasem, dyrektorem warszawskiego biura European Council on Foreign Relations, o politycznych kulisach deklaracji 5 proc. PKB na obronność, dwuznacznych sygnałach ze strony Donalda Trumpa i realnych wyzwaniach dla Europy. – Ja mam takie, mówiąc szczerze, mieszane uczucia – mówi Piotr Buras, komentując przebieg szczytu. – Oczywiście wydarzyło się na tym szczycie bardzo dużo dobrego. Ale z drugiej strony mamy... to jest kwestia nisko postawionej poprzeczki, niskich oczekiwań.Kup subskrypcję „Rzeczpospolitej” pod adresem: https://czytaj.rp.pl

At today's NATO summit, President Trump devoted a great deal of his press conference to the US's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. After a back and forth over a leaked Pentagon report suggesting the strikes only set back Iran's nuclear program by months, Trump said it was preliminary and "inconclusive." Then he got another report by Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, saying the US attack on Fordow "destroyed the site's critical infrastructure." Iran itself also said the facilities were badly damaged. David Petraeus served as the Commander of Centcom and Director of the CIA and joins Christiane to discuss this all.  Also on today's show: former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, now Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations; former CDC epidemiologist Dr. Fiona Havers, who quit after actions by RFK Jr.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this compelling episode, host Tormod Malvin Sæther delves deep into the implications of the NATO Summit in The Hague for Ukraine with our esteemed guest, Leo Litra. As a visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations and a senior fellow at New Europe Center in Kyiv, specializing in security and foreign policy, Litra offers a vital Ukrainian perspective on security and foreign policy, providing analysis of one of Ukraine's most pressing needs: predictable and substantial financial support. He argues that a commitment from NATO members to count aid to Ukraine as part of their defense spending targets, like the proposed 5% GDP, is crucial for Ukraine's long-term defense and to fundamentally alter Russia's strategic calculations. This 5-percent target, a central theme in the conversation, was adopted by NATO leaders just hours after this interview was recorded. We explore the skepticism surrounding immediate peace talks, examining how Russia's robust alliances with North Korea, Iran, and China continue to fuel its war machine. The conversation also shifts to the harsh realities of living in Kyiv under escalating air attacks, discussing the resilience of Ukrainian society versus the tactical objectives of Russian aggression, and the broader societal and economic impacts. Furthermore, Litra shares his expectations for the anticipated meeting between Mr. Trump and President Zelensky, emphasizing Ukraine's desire for clear understanding and practical deliverables. He concludes with a powerful message to NATO and European nations: «You are more powerful than you think. And you need to use your leverage. You are able to stop this war.» This episode offers critical insights into the military, political, and human dimensions of the ongoing war against Ukraine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump urges Israel and Iran to stick to the agreed ceasefire. The two sides have traded accusations of violations. It comes after Iran targeted a US military base in Qatar. So, will this ceasefire hold? And what does it mean for the wider Middle East? In this episode: Dania Thafer, Executive Director, Gulf International Forum. Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Head, Middle East and North Africa Programme, European Council on Foreign Relations. Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute. Host: Imran Khan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The German leader and EU commission president were quick to back Israel as the conflict began with Iran. The EU has since called for de-escalation, reflecting growing anxiety over what might happen next. So what's the thinking in European capitals? And how much influence does Europe really have? In this episode: Pieter Cleppe, Editor-in-Chief, BrusselsReport.eu. Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe, New York Times. Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Director of MENA Programme, European Council on Foreign Relations. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

On Friday, June 13th, just days before the sixth scheduled round of US–Iran talks over the country's nuclear energy program, Israel carried out a series of punishing airstrikes in many different parts of Iran. The bombings were unprecedented in targeting Iran's nuclear energy infrastructure, and have since expanded to target Iranian state television, the energy industry, and high-rise apartment buildings. Israel's bombing campaign has so far killed over 240 people, and has scuttled US–Iran nuclear diplomacy—at least for now. In response, Iran has launched drones and missiles at Israel, killing over 20 Israelis. Now, the escalating conflict, which has prompted thousands of Iranians to flee their homes and brought Israelis into bomb shelters, threatens to grow even deadlier as news outlets report that the Trump administration is weighing a US strike on Iran.In this episode of On the Nose, senior reporter Alex Kane assesses Israel's war with Daniel Levy, president of the US/Middle East Project, and Ellie Geranmayeh, the Deputy Director for the European Council on Foreign Relation's Middle East and North Africa program. They discuss the Trump administration's position on the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war goals, and where the region might be heading in the wake of this bombing campaign.Articles Mentioned and Further Reading“Israel Built Its Case for War With Iran on New Intelligence. The U.S. Didn't Buy It,” Alexander Ward, Lara Seligman, and Dustin Volz, The Wall Street Journal“How Trump Shifted on Iran Under Pressure From Israel,” Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Mark Mazzetti, and Ronen Bergman, The New York Times“America First or Israel First? Will Trump Join Netanyahu's War on Iran?” Daniel Levy, Zeteo“Europe must act now to prevent a major war between Israel and Iran,” Ellie Geranmayeh, European Council on Foreign Relations“Unpacking the Rift Between Trump and Netanyahu,” Alex Kane, Jewish Currents“

During a speech to the Spanish parliament earlier this year, the country's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed there's one thing that would guarantee lasting peace in Europe.His idea is the creation of a new army drawn from the 27 countries whose governments already work together as members of the European Union.The concept isn't a new one - and NATO already exists, the military alliance which includes EU member states and other European countries.But talk of a new military force is reappearing as the continent becomes more vulnerable to threats. Its ally the US is increasingly unreliable and unpredictable too.Other European leaders are also backing the ideaThis week we're asking - “Are we closer to a European army?”Contributors:Dick Zandee, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Security and Defence Programme at the Clingendael InstituteDr Ulrike Franke, Senior Policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign RelationsOana Lungescu, Distinguished fellow with the Royal United Services Institute and former NATO spokespersonProf. Dr. Sven Biscop, Director of the Europe in the World Programme at Egmont.Presenter: Charmaine CozierProducer: Daniel RosneyResearcher: Maeve SchafferEditor: Tara McDermottTechnical Producer: Toby JamesProduction Coordinator - Tammy Snow(Image Credit: FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)

In unusual public statement last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted “activating” Palestinian militias in Gaza. Acting on the advice of security officials, he said, it was a way to weaken Hamas and protect Israeli soldiers. The admission came after Israeli media reported that Mr Netanyahu had authorised the arming of a militia, known as the Abu Shabab Popular Forces, in the southern Gaza Strip. The group is named after its leader, Yasser Abu Shabab. Now, Hamas has a new rival amid its battle with Israel. Hamas fighters have retaliated at the gang and claimed to have killed dozens from its small-but-growing ranks. It is believed that there are only 300 men serving Abu Shabab but sources told The National they are armed with assault rifles and are equipped with walkie-talkies and night-vision goggles. Among them are men with criminal records and links to ISIS. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher speaks to experts about the origins of Abu Shabab, why the group is surfacing now and how Israel is backing it. She is joined by Muhammad Shehada, a visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relation's Mena programme, and Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at the Moshe Dayan Centre for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University. Editor's Note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Schutzschirm und Schattenseiten – Europas nukleares Dilemma beleuchtet die Rückkehr der Atomwaffen in die sicherheitspolitische Debatte Europas. Angesichts der katastrophalen humanitären Folgen eines Atomwaffeneinsatzes, wachsender Proliferationsgefahren, russischer Drohungen und eines möglichen Rückzugs der USA steht Europa vor einer politischen und moralischen Zerreißprobe: Braucht Europa mehr nukleare Eigenverantwortung – oder weniger Atomwaffen weltweit?Mit dem Militärexperten Gustav Gressel und dem Abrüstungsdiplomaten Alexander Kmentt sprechen wir über Abschreckung und Abrüstung, über Sicherheit und Verantwortung. Der Podcast will keine einfachen Antworten liefern, sondern Raum schaffen für eine offene, kritische und ausgewogene Diskussion – strategisch, ethisch und gesellschaftlich. Denn gerade in Zeiten wachsender Spannungen ist es wichtiger denn je, die komplexen Zusammenhänge hinter der nuklearen Debatte zu verstehen und differenziert zu reflektieren.Gäste:Alexander Kmentt ist Direktor der Abteilung für Abrüstung, Rüstungskontrolle und Nichtverbreitung im österreichischen Außenministerium. Er gilt als einer der zentralen Architekten des Atomwaffenverbotsvertrags (TPNW) und war federführend bei der Wiener Konferenz 2014 über die humanitären Folgen von Atomwaffen. Kmentt war u. a. österreichischer Botschafter bei der Politisch-Sicherheitskomitees der EU, leitete mehrfach die österreichische Delegation bei internationalen Abrüstungsgremien und war Präsident der ersten Staatenkonferenz zum TPNW im Juni 2022. Er wurde mehrfach international für sein Engagement in der Abrüstung ausgezeichnet, darunter als „Arms Control Person of the Year 2014“. Kmentt hat in Wien und Cambridge Völkerrecht und internationale Beziehungen studiert.Gustav Gressel ist Militärexperte mit Schwerpunkt Osteuropa, Sicherheitspolitik und Militärstrategie. Er absolvierte dieOffiziersausbildung an der Theresianischen Militärakademie und war anschließend im österreichischen Verteidigungsministerium in den Bereichen Strategie und internationale Sicherheit tätig. Gressel promovierte in Strategischen Studien und arbeitet seit 2014 beim European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin. Seit 2025 forscht er an der Landesverteidigungsakademie in Wien. Er ist regelmäßig als Experte in Medien wie Die Welt, ZDF oder NDR präsent und betreibt seit 2022 den Podcast Ostausschuss zum Ukrainekrieg und osteuropäischen Themen.Moderation:Stephanie Fenkart, Direktorin des IIP.Diese Folge wurde am 12. Juni 2025 aufgezeichnet.

Israel has attacked Iranian military and nuclear sites, claiming Tehran was close to producing a nuclear weapon. Tehran says it's a declaration of war. So, how far will it go with its response? And what does it all this mean for its nuclear ambitions? In this episode: Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior policy fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations. Ali Vaez, Director of the Iran Project, International Crisis Group. Samuel Ramani, Defense Analyst, Royal United Services Institute. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The head of NATO issues his starkest warning yet about Russia's readiness for war. We speak to Ed Arnold, a senior research fellow at the defence think-tank RUSI and a former infantry officer.In Ukraine, drone warfare is reaching ever-more sophisticated levels. We look at how this single weapon is changing warfare with Dr. Ulrike Franke, a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.And the Royal Navy's Carrier Strike Group makes its way through the Red Sea – what next for this projection of UK military power? We get the thoughts of Commodore Steve Prest who was the Commander Weapon Engineer on Britain's other carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth. He was also part of the top-level team that brought the QE out of build and into sea trials.

Recorded at the Forum for the Future of Agriculture's Regional Event in Copenhagen, Jeppe Bruus, Minister for the Green Transition, Denmark, joins us to discuss the work happening in Denmark to drive the transformation of the agri-food system. We share his thoughts from the conference and ask him some questions ahead of the Danish Presidency of the European Council.

More than three years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, warfare has been transformed by drones.  Reports have stated that 70 percent of combat casualties in the war in Ukraine are now caused by drones, while the British security think tank RUSI calculates drones account for 60 to 70 percent of damaged and destroyed Russian systems. Ukraine, forced to innovate to hold off Russian forces, claims to be capable of making 4 million drones this year, Russia says it made 1.4 million in 2024 – using them, along with Iranian made systems, on the battlefield and in near constant attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.  To discuss the ethics, capabilities and impact of drones on the way humans fight, Gavin Esler is joined by Dr Ulrike Franke, senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. • This episode of This Is Not A Drill is supported by Incogni, the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you from identity theft and keeps your data from being sold. There's a special offer for This Is Not A Drill listeners – go to https://incogni.com/notadrill to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Too little, too late. This was the sentiment echoed among critics in the international community after Europe started taking a new, critical stance on Israel's war in Gaza in recent weeks. For Palestinians actually in the strip, it is certainly too late, with the death toll from 19 months of war at more than 54,200. But what of the new stance itself? In late May, the EU announced it would launch a review of its relations with Israel. The move was backed by 17 of 27 states and could lead to a suspension in whole or in part of the EU-Israel agreement, the legal framework that governs their bilateral economic co-operation. In Germany, new Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned the future of arms sales to Israel; in France, President Emmanuel Macron has been rallying global support to recognise Palestinian statehood; and in the UK, the government issued sanctions against several illegal Israeli settlers and paused trade negotiations. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the motives and timing of Europe's shifting position on Gaza and asks whether these measures will make any difference to the war. We hear from former German ambassador Heinrich Kreft and Hugh Lovatt, senior Mena policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Editor's note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our two-minute listener survey. Click here.

Discussion Highlights:Global demographic megatrends include aging populations, declining fertility rates, and diverging regional population dynamics.Migration patterns involve both forced displacement from conflict zones such as Ukraine and Palestine and labor migration from the Western Balkans, with climate-related movement remaining unpredictable.Depopulation in the Western Balkans is driven by inaccurate census data, economic factors that incentivize emigration, steadily declining fertility rates, and cultural influences on family size.Many countries in the region face labor shortages as plumbers, electricians, and healthcare workers emigrate, prompting policy responses to attract migrant labor, cover an estimated €600 million integration cost in Croatia, and implement language instruction and integration programs.Populist political discourse often exploits public fears about migration, while political leaders frequently show reluctance to acknowledge domestic labor shortages and plan beyond short electoral cycles.Europe's geopolitical context is shaped by U.S.-China competition, the continuation of the war in Ukraine, and uneven or delayed European responses to crises, such as the conflict in Gaza.The current EU enlargement process is critiqued as overly merit-based, and many argue for the package accession of all Western Balkan states, drawing lessons from Croatia's recent membership and anticipating a changing nature of the future European Union.Bosnia and Herzegovina's post-Dayton governance system succeeded in halting widespread violence but remains hampered by persistent power-sharing gridlock, redundant international structures such as the Office of the High Representative, and ongoing challenges in constitutional and education system reforms.Thirty years after Dayton, instances of inter-ethnic violence have remained low since 1995, but schooling and commemorative practices remain fragmented, and domestic dialogue on wartime accountability has stalled.EU integration offers the potential to replace international oversight with European Union frameworks while addressing governance deficits, pervasive corruption, and the need for electoral reforms.About Alida VračićAlida Vračić is a political scientist and lawyer. She co-founded and serves as executive director of Populari, a Sarajevo-based think tank specializing in post-conflict state-building, democratization, good governance, and migration in the Western Balkans. Vračić holds a law degree from the University of Sarajevo and Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, where she specialized in criminal procedure law, an M.Sc. in International Public Policy from University College London, and completed Executive Education for non-government executives at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Before founding Populari in 2007, she worked for the State Court Prosecutor's team in Bosnia, at the Human Rights Commission of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and led Balkan-wide projects at the Human Rights Centre, University of Sarajevo, and the Spanish Institutional Programme. Vračić has been affiliated with several academic and policy institutions, including as a former Europe's Futures fellow at IWM, the European Council on Foreign Relations as a Visiting Fellow, and the German Marshall Fund as a Marshall Memorial Fellow. Further Reading & ResourcesPopulari Think Tank: https://populari.org/en populari.orgIWM Europe's Futures Program (Alida Vračić profile): https://www.iwm.at/europes-futures/fellow/alida-vracic iwm.atECFR Profile (Alida Vračić): https://ecfr.eu/profile/alida-vracic ecfr.eu Ivan Vejvoda is Head of the Europe's Futures program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union's enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.For further information about the Institute:https://www.iwm.at/

Right-wing historian Karol Nawrocki has narrowly won Poland's presidential election, in what is a blow to the governing centrist coalition.Mr Nawrocki - who is backed by the main opposition Law and Justice party - will wield a powerful veto over policy - so what does it mean for the pro-EU government led by former European Council president Donald Tusk?Also in the programme: What exactly caused the "mass casualty" event at an aid station in Gaza?; and positive news on colon cancer recovery, as research shows survival rates are boosted by a third - just by regular exercise.(Photo shows Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki reacts to the results of the second round of the presidential election, in Warsaw, Poland, June 1, 2025. Credit: Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters

More than 600 days into its genocidal war in Gaza, some of Israel's closest allies have begun to condemn its actions. Alongside the changing global narrative, growing opposition in Israel to the Netanyahu government's war methods has seeped into the media coverage - fracturing a consensus that dates back to October 7, 2023. Contributors:  Yara Hawari – Co-Director, Al-Shabaka Natasha Lennard – Contributing writer, The Intercept Orly Noy – Editor, Local Call Muhammad Shehada – Visiting fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations On our radar: Over the past couple of weeks, dispatches coming out of Gaza's hospitals have grown more and more desperate. Meenakshi Ravi reports on the healthcare workers getting the story out and filling the vacuum in the news coverage. Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: 'Aid washing' in the Gaza Strip Formed a matter of months ago, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a United States-Israeli coalition of private military contractors that includes former CIA and military personnel. We speak with Jeremy Scahill, co-founder of Drop Site News, who has investigated the GHF, together with Palestinian journalists on the ground. Featuring: Jeremy Scahill – Co-Founder, Drop Site News

*Disclaimer for today's conversation* We're going to touch on sexual assault on the show today and this may be triggering for some listeners. Just back from the Icelandic Writer's Retreat with Eliza Reid, Jann invites fellow writer, speaker, and activist Thordis Elva to join the show. She speaks about writing 'South of Forgiveness,' where she confronts her assaulter and heals the young sixteen year-old who's been holding a heavy secret. She reflects on corresponding with him to write the book, the global response to their story, and the importance of dialogue in changing the narrative around sexual violence. Thordis also discusses the importance of believing and supporting survivors of sexual assault. More About Thordis Elva: Thordis Elva is an Icelandic writer, speaker and activist. Her memoir, South of Forgiveness, which she co-authored with her perpetrator of sexual assault, is out in14 countries with the accompanying TED talk having been viewed over 10 million times. Her books, films and plays have won various awards and she was elected Woman of the Year for her contributions to gender-equality. As a public speaker, she has given talks at the UN, the European Council and the EU, to name a few. Her work has been published across four continents and has influenced national policy as well as the global dialogue. Thordis also works as a clinical hypnotherapist and is the founder and current chairperson of the Nordic Digital Rights and Equality Foundation, working to further human rights and democracy in online spaces. She resides in Reykjavik with her three children, including her miracle twins who sparked a social media movement when they were given a less than one percent chance of survival, and is currently writing their story. South of Forgiveness: A True Story of Rape and Responsibility  https://a.co/d/b4GkdBu TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/thordis_elva_and_tom_stranger_our_story_of_rape_and_reconciliation?subtitle=enLeave us a voicenote! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jannardenpod.com/voicemail/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get access to bonus content and more on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/JannArdenPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order ONLYJANNS Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cutloosemerch.ca/collections/jann-arden⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jannardenpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/jannardenpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/jannardenpod⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fortnight after Romania, Poland is holding a presidential run-off where the pro-EU candidate faces uncertain odds. On Sunday, Warsaw's liberal mayor Rafał Trzaskowski will need the kind of boost in turnout that propelled his counterpart from Bucharest to victory. Nicoşur Dan came to campaign last weekend for Trzaskowski, the candidate from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform party. Trzaskowski is not the only one with celebrity endorsements. US President Donald Trump is dispatching his Director of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to stump for nationalist right-wing candidate Karol Nawrocki. The Law and Justice party of Poland's outgoing president Andrzej Duda hopes to rally the 20 percent of voters who veered further to the right in the first round. In a nation where living standards have skyrocketed since joining the EU two decades ago, why are so many citizens eager to elect Eurosceptics?Would a Nawrocki win call time after just one year on the efforts of Tusk to undo PiS's contentious rule of law reforms? Currently, the former president of the European Council has positioned himself at the heart of Brussels policymaking. Looking ahead, which direction do Poles want?Produced by Rebecca Gnignati, Elisa Amiri, Ilayda Habip.

"You're not building for today—you're building the next, and the next after that." — Daan De Wever, CEO & Co-founder, Dstny, “AI assistants are the biggest invention since the internet.” Dstny, is the official host of the 2025 CCA European Summit in Brussels, Belgium (June 16–17) In this podcast, Technology Reseller News Publisher Doug Green interviews Daan De Wever, the CEO and co-founder of Dstny, who is also serving as the official host of the 2025 CCA European Summit in Brussels, Belgium (June 16–17). The conversation offers a preview of the summit's content, speakers, and a candid discussion of the evolution—and future—of cloud communications in Europe. De Wever describes Dstny as a leading European cloud communications provider serving over 5 million users, with deep expertise in SMBs and global growth through Microsoft Teams integration. He shares why Brussels was chosen as the summit venue, calling it the true center of Europe—and an ideal location for a landmark gathering of cloud leaders. This year's keynote speaker, Herman Van Rompuy, the first president of the European Council, will join a lineup of prominent voices including Times of London, Cavell, and Dave Michels. De Wever himself will deliver a keynote titled "The Entrepreneur's Journey," offering a transparent look at how Dstny built long-term value through disciplined strategy, authentic leadership, and true integration—not just financial "pileups." “AI assistants are the biggest invention since the internet.” On AI, De Wever doesn't mince words: “AI assistants are the biggest invention since the internet.” He argues that cloud providers must stop thinking of UCaaS as the final product—“It's legacy”—and instead prepare for dramatic change. Dstny, he reveals, is already moving to integrate AI into their core platforms with patented technology aimed at faster innovation delivery. De Wever also offers a sober view on M&A in the sector: "Many companies are just stacking assets. But real builders think about story, integration, innovation, and the long-term customer value." The conversation ends on a high note with a nod to hospitality: De Wever personally curated a private pre-summit dinner and will serve as the evening's sommelier. “There will be no bad wines at the CCA Summit,” he jokes. To learn more about Dstny, visit: https://www.dstny.com To register for the summit: https://www.cloudcommunications.com/events/eu-summit-2025

“The Cloud Communications Alliance is sending a clear signal: Europe matters.” — Bertrand Pourcelot, CEO, Enreach for Service Providers As Europe navigates a shifting geopolitical and technological landscape, the 2025 CCA European Summit is stepping up to meet the moment. In this special podcast, Doug Green, Publisher, Technology Reseller News spoke with Bertrand Pourcelot, CEO of Enreach for Service Providers and CCA board member, about the upcoming event to be held June 16–17 just outside Brussels. Pourcelot emphasized the Summit's growing role as a strategic bridge between U.S. and European communications providers. “CCA's goal isn't just expansion—it's mutual understanding,” he noted. Enreach, a pan-European provider of Smart Contact platforms, serves over 120 service providers across more than 20 countries and has been central to broadening CCA's European engagement. This year's Summit will feature a tightly focused one-and-a-half-day program, balancing telecom and UCaaS innovations with high-level insights into Europe's regulatory dynamics, AI adoption, and the global economic environment. Key speakers include Herman Van Rompuy, former Prime Minister of Belgium and first President of the European Council, and the Economics Editor of The Times of London—offering dual lenses on EU and global market drivers. Pourcelot will host a panel on “The Power of an Open, Best-of-Breed Ecosystem,” spotlighting how platforms and vertical integrations can unlock end-user value. Panelists will include leaders from CloudCTI, Akixi, Mitric, and other innovators in analytics, CRM, and AI-powered services. “Innovation thrives when there's openness, orchestration, and true partnership,” Pourcelot said. To learn more about the CCA European Summit, visit the Cloud Communications Alliance website. For more on Enreach's service provider offerings, explore https://www.enreach.com/sp.

As President Donald Trump threatens tariffs, Brussels is also worrying about Washington using sanctions against it. In this episode of The Big View podcast, Agathe Demarais of the European Council on Foreign Relations talks about how the bloc should deploy its own weapons. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. 

Read Alex's article here: https://www.compactmag.com/.../the-techno-populist.../   For more than a decade, we have been told that insurgent populists are challenging a complacent post-political technocratic establishment. Combatants on both sides testify to this polarization. Poland's Donald Tusk, former President of the European Council and the country's current prime minister, stated back in 2017 that “we must challenge the populists”—and he did so, defeating the right-wing Law and Justice Party in 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron warned last year that “populists” risk undermining the European bloc from within. On the other side, Britain's Nigel Farage declared the same year that “nation-state democracy” was “making a comeback against the globalists.” More recently, Italy's Giorgia Meloni railed against “the global leftist liberal network” created in the 1990s by Tony Blair and Bill Clinton.   Check out our new bi-weekly series, "The Crisis Papers" here: https://www.patreon.com/bitterlakepresents/shop   Thank you guys again for taking the time to check this out. We appreciate each and everyone of you. If you have the means, and you feel so inclined, BECOME A PATRON! We're creating patron only programing, you'll get bonus content from many of the episodes, and you get MERCH!   Become a patron now https://www.patreon.com/join/BitterLakePresents?   Please also like, subscribe, and follow us on these platforms as well, (specially YouTube!)   THANKS Y'ALL   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG9WtLyoP9QU8sxuIfxk3eg Twitter: @TIRShowOakland Instagram: @thisisrevolutionoakland   Read Jason Myles in Sublation Magazine https://www.sublationmag.com/writers/jason-myles   Read Jason Myles in Damage Magazine https://damagemag.com/2023/11/07/the-man-who-sold-the-world/   Read Jason in Unaligned Here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-161586946...

In this episode of the ChinaPower podcast, Dr. Janka Oertel joins us to discuss the evolving relationship between Europe and China, and how Europe views both economic ties and security challenges posed by Beijing. She argues that China is not engaging in a successful charm offensive. Dr. Oertel describes how both the first and second Trump administration have shaped economic and security dynamics within the China-Europe relationship and outlines how Europe-China relations have become increasingly strained by competitive economic pressures imposed by China, such as issues with overcapacity, as well as how China's support for Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine has undermined the relationship. She also examines Europe's internal responses to pressures coming from China and Europe's active attempts at economic diversification, defense buildup and strategic autonomy, and global outreach to partners and allies. Lastly, she elaborates on areas of potential greater collaboration between the EU and the Indo-Pacific as well as avenues for the U.S. and Europe to continue working together to address dual security and economic challenges posed by China. Dr. Janka Oertel is the director of Asia Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Her expertise focuses on transatlantic China policy, emerging technologies, Chinese foreign and security policies, and security issues in Asia. Previously, she worked as a senior fellow in the Asia programme at the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, a programme director at Körber Foundation's Berlin office, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP Berlin) and a Carlo-Schmid fellow at United Nations Headquarters, New York. She has testified before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the German Bundestag, and is frequently quoted in leading media outlets such as the Financial Times, the New York Times, The Economist, Süddeutsche Zeitung, El Confidencial, Berlingske, and many more. She holds a PhD from the University of Jena in Germany.

European Movement Ireland and Konrad- Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) UK and Ireland hosted 'Artificial Intelligence - How will Europe Innovate?' The event explored the challenges and opportunities ahead for AI innovation, political leadership and the future development of AI across Europe, as the European Union sets out its ambitious agenda to become a global leader in AI. AI EU Innovation The EU AI act, which forms part of this vision, is the world's first act to regulate the use of AI globally. In force since 2024, with some exemptions for high-risk AI until 2027, the EU AI Act will be fully applicable from 2026, coinciding with Ireland's Presidency of the European Council. Given the presence of multinational tech companies, and leading research institutions in the country, Ireland is well positioned to influence how AI is advanced across the bloc into the future. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs, Barry Ward TD said: "As Europe takes bold steps toward responsible AI innovation, today's discussion underscores the need for political leadership that is both visionary and grounded in our shared values. With Ireland preparing to take on the Presidency of the European Council in 2026, along with our thriving tech sector and academic excellence, we are uniquely placed to help lead this conversation and ensure AI development in Europe is ethical, innovative, and inclusive." Noelle O Connell, CEO European Movement Ireland said; "As the global race continues for leadership in AI, I am delighted to hear the statement from Minister Smyth, welcome Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs Barry Ward TD, and listen to the insights from the expert panel today on AI innovation, as it increasingly shapes all aspects of our daily lives and influences decision making. We are at a pivotal time when trust in institutions is falling, as revealed by EM Ireland's EU Poll 2025, a majority stated (40%) they do not trust any institution and less than one in three (30%) expressed trust in the EU in Ireland. As the EU seeks to be bold in its vision for AI, it must ensure developments in AI work to serve the public good, and do not erode trust into the future." The Minister for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD appeared prior to the discussion with a short video statement. The expert panel was moderated by Noelle O Connell and included Barry Ward TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs, Stephanie Anderson, Public Policy Manager, Meta, Dr. Eamonn Cahill, Principal Officer, AI and Digital Regulation Unit, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Kai Zenner of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for MEP Axel Voss. Dr. Canan Atilgan, Konrad- Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) UK and Ireland said; "The EU aims to become a global leader in AI and has unveiled an ambitious Action Plan - a bold strategy designed not merely to compete, but to lead ethically, with a clear, human-centred vision." Artificial Intelligence - How Will Europe Innovate? brought citizens, businesses, and policymakers together to explore the themes of the future of AI, and the regulation of AI in practice. The hashtag #EMIKAS and the handles @KAS_UKIRL and @emireland were used during the event. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

How to negotiate with the Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, and does he feel empowered by his American counterpart, Donald Trump? „One very big misperception of the world and the US, especially President Trump, about the Russians is that they are very powerful. And this is very wrong,“ Leonid Litra told me. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the New Europe Center in Kyiv and a Visiting Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. We looked at the American diplomatic negotiating tactics regarding the Ukraine war, how Kyiv assesses the situation, what Russia thinks about it, and where Europe is. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Max and Donatienne discuss the second round of the Romanian presidential election, Portugal's parliamentary election, and a new EU-UK deal on post-Brexit relations. Then they turn to a conversation with Jana Puglierin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and head of its Berlin office, to discuss the priorities of the new German government. Learn more:  Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts

"There's no other place on the planet where you can get together with owners of these communications companies and talk turkey." — Joe Marion, President, Cloud Communications Alliance As global tensions reshape the telecom landscape, the Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) is assembling top leaders for its 2025 CCA European Summit in Zaventem, near Brussels, on June 16–17. In a conversation with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, CCA President Joe Marion offered a detailed preview of the timely and high-level agenda that will bring together executives, analysts, and policy experts for frank dialogue and strategic planning. With the theme "Navigating the Geopolitical and Economic Crossfire," this intimate 75-person summit is designed for C-level executives and decision-makers. Marion emphasized the event's relevance to both European and North American providers: "There are no walls in communications," he said, noting how cross-border policy changes, tariffs, and credit issues are affecting providers globally. Key Highlights of the Agenda: Opening Remarks by Maheen Khan, Economics Editor at The Times (London), on global polarization. Market Impact Session by Matt Townend of Cavell on the shockwaves facing European communication providers. Special Presentation from Zoom, the event's Gold Sponsor, featuring a yet-to-be-announced product update. Keynote by His Excellency Herman Van Rompuy, former Prime Minister of Belgium and first President of the European Council. Industry Insights from Dave Michels, Principal Analyst at TalkingPointz. Presentation by Destiny CEO Daan De Wever, on growing a pan-European telecom powerhouse. Panel Discussions on AI Adoption, Industry Disruption, and Strategic Partnerships. Marion noted that the conference has been designed by European members, for European members, ensuring relevance on topics such as tariffs, trade barriers, and innovation gaps between the U.S. and Europe—particularly in mobile and AI. “This isn't a trade show,” Marion stressed. “It's where real conversations happen—where partnerships are formed, deals are made, and innovation is shared.” Attendees can expect meaningful networking in a close-knit environment that fosters transparent exchange, away from the sales pitches and crowds of conventional events. Event Details: Dinner Kickoff: Evening of June 16 Main Event: June 17 at Destiny headquarters in Zaventem, near Brussels Airport Registration: cloudcommunications.com/EC25 Limited Seating: Only 90 seats available; over half are already sold. Doug Green concluded the podcast by urging attendees from across the globe to take part: “If you're in the business of communications, this is where you want to be.” For more information and to register, visit: https://www.cloudcommunications.com/events/eu-summit-2025

Europe's Super-Sunday elections see a pro-EU candidate defeat a hard-right rival in Romania, a centrist win in the first round of Poland's presidential election, and a victory for the incumbent government in Portugal. So can Brussels breathe a sigh of relief? Or is the far-right still rising as a political force? In this episode: Pieter Cleppe, Editor-in-Chief, BrusselsReport.eu. Piotr Buras, Head, European Council on Foreign Relations' Warsaw office. Antonio Costa Pinto, Professor, Political Science, University of Lisbon. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Célia Belin of the European Council on Foreign Relations tells RFI that Donald Trump's administration is treating Europe less as a partner and more as a rival. In backing nationalist movements and undermining multilateral institutions, it is exporting a political mode of operation that risks fracturing European unity. The impact of Donald Trump's second term in the White House is being felt far beyond US borders. Observers say this ripple effect can be seen across Europe, not just in policy but in the continent's political culture itself.For Dr Célia Belin of the European Council on Foreign Relations, the stakes are nothing less than the future of European liberal democracy.In her latest ECFR report, MAGA Goes Global: Trump's Plan for Europe, Belin warns that what might appear to be chaotic decisions from the Oval Office are, in fact, part of an ideological project.“There's actually a strong direction, a clear destination,” Belin told RFI. “Trump, surrounded by loyalists and MAGA Republicans, is ready to implement his plan – to push back on liberal democracy, and to push back on Europe."According to her, he sees Europe as “an extension of his political enemies – liberals and progressives” and views its institutions as bureaucratic hurdles rather than allies in global leadership.Culture wars without bordersTrump's administration – bolstered by figures including Vice President JD Vance and media mogul Elon Musk – has also made overtures to Europe's far right.They have voiced support for Germany's far-right AfD party and France's Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, including on Musk's social media platform X (formerly Twitter) – helping to disseminate nationalist and populist rhetoric across the continent.“We're seeing a systematic attack on the liberal model that Europe represents,” said Belin. “This ‘Trumpian wave' has fired up nationalist opposition in Europe, even if it hasn't created a united front."‘Free Le Pen': US conservatives rally behind French far-right leaderNon merci to MAGAHowever, some of the European political parties that share Trump's scepticism of liberal institutions are treading carefully when it comes to embracing his brand of politics.While leaders such as Viktor Orbán in Hungary openly welcome MAGA-style backing, others see it as a double-edged sword.Following her recent legal conviction, Le Pen received support from MAGA-aligned figures. But her party responded with conspicuous silence.“They don't want or need this Trumpian support,” Belin noted. “Their political strategy is not about aligning with MAGA America – it's more French, more sovereignist."Embracing Trump too openly could risk undermining years of effort to mainstream the National Rally's image. “Nationalists are realising that now – it brings fuel to the fire, yes, but it also complicates their own domestic positioning," said Belin.Trump's first 100 days: Revolution or destruction? The view from FranceEurope respondsFrench President Emmanuel Macron was among the first European leaders to sound the alarm on the changing nature of the US-European alliance. "I want to believe that the United States will stay by our side but we have to be prepared for that not to be the case," he said in a televised address to the nation in March.I January, in a speech to French ambassadors, he said: "Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany."German Chancellor Olaf Scholz followed suit, criticising Musk's decision to give the AfD a platform just weeks before Germany's federal elections.However, Belin points out that the European response is still taking shape. “It's brand new as a phenomenon,” she said. “Europeans were prepared to be challenged on trade, on security – even on Ukraine. But this cultural challenge is unprecedented.”Meloni positions herself as Europe's ‘trump card' on visit to White HouseStill, as Belin notes, Trumpism is not a winning formula everywhere. “Turning fully Trumpist would derail Marine Le Pen's strategy. It's not a winning strategy in France,” she said. “But in more insurgent political systems, it might be."And there is concern too that Trumpism could outlive Trump himself.“There's been a transformation in the perception of America's global role,” Belin said. “And that will stick around. It will be pushed by some of the nationalist parties in our countries. That is the Trumpist legacy”.

What should we expect from the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, in terms of foreign, security, and defense policy? Is he prepared to face US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin? Would Germany defend its allies in the event of a Russian attack, especially in a scenario where US support is uncertain? I discussed these questions – and more – with defense analyst Rafael Loss from the European Council on Foreign Relations. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

In this week's episode, Max and Donatienne cover Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to Washington and the state of transatlantic relations as we approach the 100-day mark of the second Trump presidency. Then, they are joined by Janka Oertel, director of the Asia programme and a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), to break down how big changes in US trade policy and rising transatlantic tensions affect the EU-China trade and diplomatic relationship.

In this episode of the Democracy After 2024 series, Zsuzsanna Végh and Daniel Hegedűs examine transatlantic cooperation between state and non-state actors in the United States and Hungary. They analyze commonalities in narratives and shared practices, assessing their impact on democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the German Marshall Fund of the United States or any institutions or organizations with which they are affiliated. Zsuzsanna Végh is a program officer at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and an associate researcher at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Her analytical focus is on the populist radical right in Central and Eastern Europe, its impact on foreign policy and democratic quality, and the foreign and EU policies of the Visegrád countries.Daniel Hegedüs is a German Marshall Fund of the United States regional director, Transatlantic Trusts Central Europe. His focus is on populism and democratic backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe, and the European and foreign affairs of the Visegrad countries.Lilit Hakobyan edited the audio file. Cover image: Polina Fedorenko

For Russia's President Putin, the return of President Donald Trump to the White House ushered in a new world order. This has created new diplomatic space for Russia, as Trump's world view seems more closely aligned with Moscow's ambitions. Support for Ukraine has diminished, peace talks have been floated, and speculation has grown about a lasting ceasefire. While the relationship between Washington and Moscow appears to be warming, recent tensions show how unpredictable diplomacy between the two leaders can be.Putin's ambition for Russia as an influential superpower remains but with shifting global alliances how much potential leverage does Putin have to reshape the international order?Contributors: • Kadri Liik, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations • Maria Snegovaya, Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies • Ivan Klyszcz, Research Fellow, International Centre for Defence and Security • Mark Galeotti, Director, Mayak Intelligence; Honorary Professor, University College LondonPresented by Victoria Uwonkunda Produced by Louise Clarke Researched by Katie Morgan Technical producer James Bradshaw Production Co-ordinator Liam Morrey Editor Tara McDermott

L’incontro tra il primo ministro israeliano Benjamin Netanyahu e il presidente statunitense Donald Trump ha offerto l’occasione per affrontare diversi temi, tra cui i dazi imposti dagli Stati Uniti su beni provenienti da Tel Aviv, la questione della liberazione degli ostaggi israeliani e il futuro della Striscia di Gaza. Ne parliamo con Anna Momigliano, scrittrice e giornalista, esperta in relazioni internazionali. Collabora con il Corriere della Sera e Haaretz, il suo ultimo libro “Fondato sulla sabbia. Un viaggio nel futuro di Israele” (Garzanti Libri) in uscita a fine mese.In programma per sabato 12 aprile i colloqui tra Stati Uniti e Iran in Oman. Al centro del tavolo negoziale l’accordo sul nucleare. Nel frattempo, continua l’incontro trilaterale a Mosca tra Russia, Cina e Iran. Ne parliamo con Pejman Abdolmohammadi, professore di Storia e Istituzioni del Medio Oriente all’Università di Trento.La risposta europea ai dazi di Trump: Washington respinge la proposta UE di un regime di dazi zero reciproco. Ne parliamo con Arturo Varvelli, direttore della sede romana dello European Council on Foreign Relations.

This week, Max and Donatienne discuss the state of Turkey's democracy after the jailing of Istanbul's mayor days before becoming presidential candidate, the latest European Council meeting and a new EU white paper for European defense. Then, our hosts turn to a conversation with Tom Wright, senior fellow at Brookings and former Senior Director for Strategic Planning at the United States National Security Council (NSC) in the Biden administration, to discuss his recent article in Foreign Affairs outlining a U.S. strategy for Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Learn more: Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts The Right U.S. Strategy for Russia-Ukraine Negotiations | Foreign Affairs

Tommy and Ben discuss the fallout from Trump's national security team accidentally sending top secret war plans to a journalist, Turkey's backsliding democracy as a result of Erdoğan arresting his top political opponent, and Bibi Netanyahu's continuing efforts to remove internal critics while Israel gears up for potential annexation of Gaza. They also discuss a violent settler attack on the Oscar winning co-director of No Other Land, Russia's maximalist terms for the new maritime ceasefire with Ukraine, the conflicts in Sudan and Congo, and the Trump administration's latest immigration moves, including revoking temporary protected status for over 500,000 people. Then, Tommy is joined by Jeremy Shapiro, Research Director at the European Council of Foreign Relations, for a tour of Europe, including Turkey's political unrest, Romania's fraught election, and the latest with Hungarian strongman Viktor Orbán.

In November, a far right, pro-Russia figure came from almost nowhere to become favourite for the presidency. Calin Georgescu, with no affiliated political party and whose campaign had been largely on social media, won the first round of Presidential elections in Romania. The result sent shockwaves across the continent. But serious allegations surfaced over the legitimacy of Georgescu's campaign, resulting in Romania's Constitutional Court annulling the vote and barring Georgescu from standing. After mass demonstrations across the country, it's clear Romania's political landscape has been upended. Ahead of the rerun of the vote for president on 4 and 18 May, what will happen now with Romania's elections? Will the country lean towards a more nationalist future or back the mainstream parties that were previously in power?Contributors: Veronica Anghel, assistant professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at The European University Institute, Italy Oana Popescu-Zamfir, director of the GlobalFocus Center, associated expert at Carnegie Europe and associate researcher for the European Council on Foreign Relations, Romania Dr Radu Cinpoes, associate professor of politics and international relations at the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom Costin Ciobanu, political scientist with Aarhus University, DenmarkPresenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Vicky Carter Researcher: Katie Morgan Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Technical producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tara McDermott

Amnesty slams EU's 'shameful' stance on Gaza "Amnesty International has condemned the European Council's latest position on Gaza, calling it a “shameful attempt” to justify Israeli attacks while failing to denounce air strikes and blocked aid. Amnesty's Eve Geddie blasted EU leaders for their “selective compassion,” saying their refusal to hold Israel accountable after 17 months of war amounts to complicity in genocide. She urged immediate action to prevent further war crimes in the besieged Palestinian enclave. " Trump backs Israel's brutal war as death toll soars "Donald Trump “fully supports” Israel's latest assault on Gaza, which has killed at least 700 Palestinians—including 200 children—since Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed Hamas for the bloodshed, insisting the war is their fault for not releasing hostages. Meanwhile, Gaza's health officials warn of a deepening humanitarian disaster as Israeli strikes level homes and entire families are buried under rubble." Trump moves to boost US minerals, eyes Ukraine deal "Trump has invoked emergency powers to ramp up domestic production of critical minerals, aiming to reduce reliance on China. The executive order fast-tracks mining permits and directs agencies to identify federal land for extraction. As part of this push, Trump said he will sign a minerals deal with Ukraine “very shortly.” The move signals an aggressive bid to secure key resources for electronics and EV batteries amid intensifying global competition." Zelenskyy: Keep sanctions on Russia until war ends "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the EU to keep sanctions on Moscow until Russia withdraws from Ukrainian territory. Speaking via video to EU leaders, Zelenskyy accused Putin of making “unnecessary demands” to prolong the war. He insisted economic pressure must continue until Russia not only pulls out but also compensates Ukraine for the devastation caused by its military offensive." After nine months in space, astronauts struggle to reclaim their bodies "After 288 days in orbit, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth—only to face a battle with their own bodies. Months in microgravity weakened their muscles, thinned their bones, and even altered their vision. Experts say long space missions mimic a decade of ageing in just months, despite rigorous exercise."

In this week's episode, Max and Donatienne discuss the state of Germany's post-election politics, including the future of the debt brake and upcoming coalition talks, and highlight the latest European Council meeting, European security, and Ukraine. Then, Max shares his key takeaways from a visit to Brussels before turning to a conversation with Phil Luck, director of the CSIS Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business, to discuss a looming transatlantic trade fight. Learn more: Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts

Europe is not typically the focus of the Grand Tamasha podcast but recent developments involving Europe, the United States, and India raise fresh questions about the future shape of the international order.Last week, a high-level European Commission delegation embarked on a historic trip to New Delhi, where the two sides spoke optimistically of a promising new chapter in their relationship. Across the ocean in Washington, however, there were alarming signs of a breakdown in the Trans-Atlantic relationship, with the unprecedented Oval Office dressing down of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.To discuss where things stand in Europe, India, and the United States, Milan is joined on the show this week by Tara Varma. Tara is a visiting fellow in the Center of the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution. Until December 2022, she was a senior policy fellow and the head of the Paris office of the European Council on Foreign Relations. She has previously worked and lived in Shanghai, London, New Delhi, and Paris.Milan and Tara discuss the growing wedge between the United States and Europe, the significance of the recent EC visit to New Delhi, the prospects of an EU-India trade pact, and the prospects of a “New Yalta” summit between China, Russia, and the United States. Plus, the two discuss the emerging bonhomie among right-wing nationalists and the prospects of the Trump administration engineering a Sino-Russia split.Episode notes:1. Sophia Besch and Tara Varma, “A New Transatlantic Alliance Threatens the EU,” Carnegie Emissary (blog), February 20, 2025.2. Patricia M. Kim et al., " The China-Russia relationship and threats to vital US interests,” Brookings Institution, December 16, 2024.3. Tara Varma and Caroline Grassmuck, “What is going on in France?” Brookings Institution, December 13, 2024.4. C. Raja Mohan, “In Trump's world, India and Europe need each other,” Indian Express, February 27, 2025.

In just three months, Romania has gone from a stable and loyal member of the European Union and Nato, to a country where a far-right, pro-Russia figure has come from almost nowhere to become favourite for the presidency. A result which has sent shockwaves across the continent. In November Calin Georgescu, with no affiliated political party and whose campaign has been largely on social media, won the first round of Presidential elections in Romania. But then serious allegations surfaced over the legitimacy of Georgescu's campaign, resulting in the Constitutional Court annulling the vote and Georgescu facing charges, which he strongly denies. Presidential hopefuls have until the 15 March to register their candidacy for the new elections, which are being rerun on 4 and 18 May. As protesters take to the streets of Bucharest, will the Romanian Constitutional Court rule that Georgescu can or cannot stand? If he is allowed to stand, can he become President? And how might the Romanian elections affect the future direction of the EU and Nato?Contributors: Veronica Anghel, assistant professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at The European University Institute, Italy Oana Popescu-Zamfir, director of the GlobalFocus Center, associated expert at Carnegie Europe and associate researcher for the European Council on Foreign Relations, Romania Anca Agachi, defence policy analyst at RAND Corporation and a nonresident fellow at The Atlantic Council, USA Costin Ciobanu, political scientist with Aarhus University, Denmark Presenter: Tanya BeckettProducer: Vicky Carter Researcher: Katie Morgan Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Technical producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tara McDermottImage credit: Andrei Pungovschi via Getty Images

This week on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Doug Miller to the show. With extensive experience as an industry advisor, including his role with IHRSA's European Council, Doug brings valuable insights into the evolving fitness landscape. As the owner of Virtual Road Show, an innovative app providing transformational education to fitness professionals worldwide, he shares his perspective on industry trends and the future of fitness. Today, Doug joins Bryan to discuss his business, industry developments, and the impact of technology on fitness education. One Powerful Quote: 27:38: "I think we run a chance of relying a little bit too much on everything artificial, and we lose the humanity of being a club.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:20: Bryan opens the show by asking Doug about the early days of IHRSA and the European fitness industry. 18:12: Bryan and Doug discuss the competition in the European fitness market. 24:47: Doug shares his perspectives on how technology has changed in the European fitness market.  29:39: Doug talks about his business, Virtual Road Show. 39:18: Doug imparts his final pearls of wisdom to the listeners.  Bullet List of Resources: https://www.salesmakers.com/ https://www.healthandfitness.org Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salesmakers/ https://x.com/salesmakers https://www.facebook.com/salesmakers https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163