Podcast appearances and mentions of franco german

"It is up to us to make the Franco-German engine stronger than ever" – those were the words of French President Emmanuel Macron, when he congratulated Friedrich Merz on becoming Chancellor of Germany. 

As Donald Trump floats a controversial peace deal that could leave Ukraine facing territorial losses and NATO exclusion, Kyiv is forced to weigh an impossible choice between sovereignty and survival.  Bronwen Maddox speaks with Orysia Lutsevych from Chatham House and Matthew Savill from RUSI about battlefield fatigue, shifting alliances, and the future of European security. Find out more: Trump's 100 days have been like no other The Kashmir attack will renew hostilities between India and Pakistan Merz and Macron can restart Europe's Franco–German engine Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Spring issue of The World Today  Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast

A French-German weapons manufacturer ramps up production to meet the needs of France's war economy. An encounter with France's largest supercomputer dedicated to artificial intelligence. And how the Marseillaise national anthem has contributed to reinforcing French values and ideals. Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Emmanuel Macron said France was moving into a "war economy" – calling on weapons manufacturers in particular to produce more and more quickly. We hear from staff at KNDS, a Franco-German defence group half-owned by the French state, about how they've managed to triple production of Caesar artillery and ammunitions to deliver to Ukraine. We also talk about the challenges of funding a war economy, given France's huge deficit, with economist Virginie Monvoisin from the Grenoble School of Management. (Listen @2'20'')As France aims to become a leader in developing artificial intelligence, it is upping its investment into building the computing power needed to run it. The Jean Zay supercomputer, at the Paris-Saclay university campus south of Paris, is one of France's most powerful, and is available free of charge for researchers. Pierre-François Lavallée, director of France's IT research institute (IDRIS), explains how the supercomputer works, its uses, and how the massive amount of heat generated by the calculations is redirected and reused as a source of energy. (Listen @18'45'')La Marseillaise became the French national anthem 230 years ago, in 1795. Written in a few hours, on 25 April 1792, it has weathered many a storm and remains a popular symbol of revolutionary fervour against authoritarianism. It has also been reinterpreted in France and abroad to serve other political causes, such as feminism. (Listen @12')Episode mixed by Vincent Pora.Spotlight on France is a podcast from Radio France International. Find us on rfienglish.com, Apple podcasts (link here), Spotify (link here) or your favourite podcast app (pod.link/1573769878).

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PRESS REVIEW – Friday, February 21: We look at what the French and German press are saying ahead of German elections this weekend, which are the most consequential since World War II, according to Politico. Journalist network Forbidden Stories sheds light on the murder of a Cambodian journalist last year over his environmental reporting. James Bond's creative rights have been sold to Amazon, much to the horror of the British press. Finally, Gisèle Pelicot is among Time Magazine's women of the year. The all-important elections in Germany come at a very tense time for Europe. For Politico, Germans head to the voting booths this weekend in possible "the most consequential postwar election". In all likelihood, the conservative leader Friedrich Merz will be the next chancellor. He will have three tasks ahead of him: toughening Germany's asylum system, kickstarting an ailing economy and transforming Germany's armed forces.One country that will be closely watching these elections is France. As Libération, the left-wing paper notes, it will impact the Franco-German couple – the leaders of France and Germany who have historically worked closely together. Germans must make their choice this weekend, La Croix, the French Catholic paper, says on its front page. It notes that forming the next German government will be a complex exercise, particularly with the strong gains expected to be made by the far right in these elections.Meanwhile in the German dailies, the Frankfurter Allgemeine focuses on Thursday's final debate between the candidates. The evening covered three major topics: how to secure peace in Europe, how to change Germany's health system and the concerns of younger voters. On the question of Ukraine peace talks, the left and far-right parties rejected arms exports, the NATO alliance and military spending. The Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens showed an openness to increase defence spending. The paper nonetheless hails what was a lively and interesting political debate.This week, the personal life of the far-right leader Alice Weidel has come under the microscope, something the Frankfurter Allgemeine is looking at. The leader of the AfD is a lesbian whose partner was born in Sri Lanka and yet who is fronting an anti-immigration party. Weidel, to her detractors, is a woman of contradictions. The Frankfurter Allgemeine notes that this kind of scrutiny of her personal life does not extend to her male rivals. The paper adds that it's not as simple as accusing her of "preaching water and drinking wine". Historically, as sociological research shows, people who belong to marginalised groups find the AfD party's issues speak to them directly, even if the party's core ideas include racism, homophobia and anti-Semitism.The international journalist network Forbidden Stories is shedding light on the murder of a reporter last year in Cambodia. The collective lifts the veil on the shooting death of 63-year-old journalist Chhoeung Chheng. The journalist, who held a press card but was not paid for his work – a common practice in Cambodia – was shot while coming back from a filming a report in the Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a sanctuary in name only: three quarters of its primary forest has been illegally destroyed in 20 years. As Forbidden Stories notes, covering environmental degradation is a risky business in Cambodia due to the illegal activities of timber magnates and the corruption of authorities. Chheng, who was illiterate and filmed his reports, was more like a whistleblower. He regularly denounced those who felled trees, be it corporations or individuals, and a local farmer is suspected of having killed him over those Facebook posts, which included denouncing locals who fell trees in exchange for payment.The British dailies are up in arms over the decision to sell the creative rights of James Bond to Jeff Bezos's Amazon. The Daily Express is shaken and stirred with the news that the creative rights to Bond, an historic decades-long British icon, have been sold to the US giant. Will the Skyfall in, the Daily Mirror asks, noting that the future of Bond is now uncertain. The Daily Telegraph calls it an assault on Britishness, saying it feels like 007 is dying a second time. The paper conceded that any franchise needs refreshing, however the buck has always stopped with British company Eon Productions, responsible for Bond since 1961. The Daily Telegraph worries that Amazon might "milk the brand into the ground". It says that for all we know, Bond might start calling his dinner jacket a tuxedo or slugging bourbon from the bottle. Be afraid!Finally, Gisèle Pelicot has been chosen as one of 13 women of the year in Time Magazine's 2025 list. She is credited with helping to create a better, equal world. The magazine pays tribute to Pelicot, who waived her anonymity to attend a months-long trial against her husband, who was found guilty of drugging her and inviting dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious. Time says she galvanised a movement for survivors of sexual violence.

Today Radio Schuman chews over the confidence vote in Germany, expected to hand a clear lead to the SPD's conservative rivals, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), with Olivia Stroud, Euronews Berlin correspondent.Chancellor Olaf Scholz's political future is precarious. His coalition government of Social Democrats and Greens has lacked a majority since the liberal FDP exited.On the international stage, Germany faces mounting challenges. The war in Ukraine continues unabated, Syria's new coalition government is fragile, and Donald Trump's return to the US presidency presents significant issues for Germany, the EU's largest nation. Meanwhile, unprecedented political instability in France has left the Franco-German alliance—the engine of European integration—effectively stalled.What lies ahead for Germany? Why are conservatives poised to reclaim power, and what coalition could take shape?In the second segment of the podcast we look at the most important issues under discussion at today's foreign affairs council.In the last part of the show, Radio Schuman reveals the side jobs of some members of the European Parliament.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the collapse of the French government, Tom and Helen discuss the Franco-German crisis in the new age of Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Vienna Coffee House Conversations, host Ivan Vejvoda welcomes Nicole Koenig, Head of Policy at the Munich Security Conference, to discuss the evolving landscape of European security. Against the backdrop of the Russo-Ukrainian War and other global crises, they explore how the European Union has responded to these challenges with initiatives that include joint defense spending, the inclusion of Finland and Sweden in NATO, and the establishment of a European Defense Union. Koenig highlights the complexities of fostering deeper EU-NATO cooperation and overcoming political, legal, and financial barriers to a more integrated defense framework.Recorded just before Donald Trump's victory, they discuss the U.S. presidential election and it's impacts on European security policy. The conversation explores the necessity for Europe to take on a greater share of its defense responsibilities. Koenig underscores the strategic importance of unity in defense and the push for a more coherent security policy. Additionally, they touch on the geopolitical imperative of EU enlargement, particularly in light of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the broader European neighborhood's security dynamics.Finally, Koenig offers insights into her role at the Munich Security Conference, providing a preview of the key themes likely to shape the agenda, including transatlantic relations, regional conflicts, and emerging threats like AI and climate security. She emphasizes the importance of fostering dialogue to address these multifaceted challenges.Nicole Koenig is Head of Policy at the Munich Security Conference, where she oversees the development of the conference's strategic agenda and policy initiatives. She has extensive experience in EU foreign and security policy, particularly in the area of Franco-German cooperation. Prior to joining the MSC, she served as Deputy Director of the Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School in Berlin, where she focused on European integration and security issues. Koenig has held research positions at several prominent think tanks, including the Centre for European Policy Studies and the European Policy Centre, and has published widely on topics related to EU defense, NATO, and transatlantic relations. She frequently provides analysis for European and international media. She was a 2019/20 Europe's Futures Fellow of the IWM and ERSTE Foundation.For more on Nicole Koenig and her work, visit https://securityconference.org/en/about-us/chairman-team/dr-nicole-koenig/You can follow her X account under @Nic_KoenigAn overview of the Munich Security Conference 2024 is at https://securityconference.org/en/msc-2024/ 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 (IWM Vienna) 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/

Navigating FinTech Partnerships in a Regulated WorldAs the possible combination of digital features increases, financial services become more complex and regulated than ever. At the same time, the rapid growth of Fintech expands the options to build, buy, invest, or partner.This interview between Frank Krings (Financial Servies) and Stefan Wagner (FinTech & Nalu Finance Host) addresses what is essential for both sides when a regulated financial services company engages with Fintech. Build or Partner Decision in Financial Service Positioning for Large-Scale Partnerships by a Fintech The Balance Between Innovation and Risk Management Cyclicality and Seasonality in Decision-Making Cycle Managing Stakeholders and Scope Creep Evolving Acceptance of Technology and Metrics for Success Aligning Success Metrics and Relationship Growth Frank Krings is a Franco-German financial services executive and banker with extensive experience across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. He has held senior roles in banking, asset management, investment, and technology, serving on executive boards in developed and emerging markets. Currently, he is an independent Senior Advisor and Non-Executive Director, consulting for Bain & Company, SAP Fioneer, and Zeotap. He also serves on the boards of the Franco-German Chamber of Commerce and Tourmaline Labs. Frank holds the Order of Merit of Luxembourg and leads the Luxembourg ICC and Arbitration Council. Previously, he was Deutsche Bank's CEO for Western Europe and held leadership positions in Luxembourg, France, Türkiye, and Thailand.

The Dæmons is the final story in the eighth season of Doctor Who, with Jon Pertwee playing the eponymous hero (see episode 48 covering The House That Dripped Blood for some fantastic Pertrivia). It aired over five weeks on BBC1 from 22 May to 19 June 1971. In The Dæmons, the Master, played by Roger Delgado, awakens the ancient horned alien Azal, hoping to gain his immense power. Delgado, a close friend of Pertwee, worked extensively on stage, TV, film, and radio. His work included the BBC's Quatermass II, Battle of the River Plate, Hammer's The Mummy's Shroud, and English dubbing for The Horror Express (see episode 7). He often played villains in British action-adventure series like Danger Man, The Saint, The Champions, and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). Tragically, Delgado died in a car accident in Turkey while filming a Franco-German mini-series. He was only 55 years old. The Dæmons began as an audition scene for Jo Grant, played by Katy Manning, and was later reworked into episode four. Manning attended Miss Dixon and Miss Wolfe's School for Girls, becoming close friends with Liza Minnelli. She socialized with stars like James Mason, Dirk Bogarde, and had tea with Noël Coward at The Savoy. As a teenager, she modeled for Biba and dated Jimi Hendrix, Richard Eyre, David Troughton, Derek Fowlds, Stewart Bevan, and Peter Bardens, Rod Stewart's keyboard player. Manning had a close bond with Pertwee, who would pick her up daily for filming, either in his car or on his motorbike, where she would ride pillion. They even raced with Dick Emery and Sir Ralph Richardson to see who could reach the BBC studios first. After three years on Doctor Who, Manning left to pursue other acting work. Pertwee was saddened by her departure, citing her exit and Delgado's death as two major reasons for leaving the show a year later. Producer Barry Letts wanted to write a story about black magic to tap into the zeitgeist of the Age of Aquarius and frighten young viewers. However, script editor Terrance Dicks had concerns it might be seen as Satanist. The story was revised to focus on a scientific threat with occult themes. Originally, the Master was to worship the demon in a church, but to avoid offending religious viewers, the scenes were moved to a crypt, later referred to as a cavern (though the set remained crypt-like). Letts co-wrote the script with playwright Robert Sloman under the pseudonym Guy Leopold, as the BBC frowned on production staff writing for their own shows. Much of the serial was filmed on location in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, with two weeks allocated for filming—more than double the usual time—leading to more outdoor scenes. The cast included comedy actress Damaris Hayman, who starred as Miss Hawthorne. Hayman had an interest in the supernatural and served as an unofficial adviser on the production. Her friend, a practicing witch, praised the accuracy of the scripts. Future Sooty puppeteer Matthew Corbett had a brief role in the final episode as a hooded coven member who objects to Jo's sacrifice. Corbett, whose great-uncle was Harry Ramsden of fish-and-chip fame, had to change his name when joining the actors' union Equity, as there was already a Peter Corbett registered.Studio taping for The Dæmons was completed on 16 May 1971, just weeks before the final episode aired. This episode included footage of a model church being blown up, which was so realistic that it prompted viewer complaints. If the clip of the Brigadier's helicopter crashing into the heat shield looks familiar, it was borrowed from the James Bond film From Russia with Love. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After former central bank president Mario Draghi reported that the EU has to invest 800 billion euros a year to compete with the US and China, Tom and Helen, turn to the crises in France and Germany and explore why politics has become so much harder for the two European powerhouses… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/german-studies

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/italian-studies

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/french-studies

Karine Varley's book Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023) advances a significant new interpretation of French collaboration during the Second World War. Arguing that the path to collaboration involved not merely Nazi Germany but Fascist Italy, it suggests that the Vichy French government was caught in a double bind. On the one hand, many of the threats to France's territory, colonial empire and power came from Rome as well as Berlin. On the other, Vichy was caught between the irreconcilable yet inescapable positions of the two Axis governments. Unable to resolve the conflict, Vichy sought to play the two Axis powers against each other.  By exploring French dealings with Italy at diplomatic, military and local levels in France and its colonial empire, Double Bind reveals the multi-dimensional and multi-directional nature of Vichy's policy. It therefore challenges many enduring conceptions of collaboration with reference to Franco-German relations and offers a fresh perspective on debates about Vichy France and collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About the Speech: Since the onset of Russia's war against Ukraine, the Franco-German engine has stalled. The two countries are pursuing fundamentally different policies, particularly in security, defense, and energy. Additionally, Berlin and Paris have failed to achieve significant progress on EU enlargement and reform. In this IIEA discussion, Dr Ronja Kempin will discuss the reasons behind the strained relationship between the two countries and assess how to bridge the divide and inject new momentum into the EU integration process. About the Speaker: Dr. Ronja Kempin is a Senior Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, advising the Bundestag, the German government, and the business community on foreign policy issues. Previously, she led the EU External Relations Research Group at SWP and advised the German Federal Foreign Office. In 2024/2025, she will hold the Alfred Grosser Chair at SciencesPo Paris. Her research focuses on European security and defence policy, particularly the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, as well as France and Franco-German relations.

We hear an update from Gaza before Jonathan Fenby and Marion Messmer discuss whether France and Germany's leaders are lame ducks, whether the EU needs a defence commissioner and why a kindergarten has decided that they don't want to be associated with a sugar-eating elephant. Plus: Fat White Family in a Midori House session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, while navigating a mid-life crisis and an intensive French course in the south of France, we've decided to reflect on the importance of Franco-German relations and what they mean for the future of Europe and the euro. We delve deep into how centuries of rivalry and reconciliation between France and Germany have shaped the continent, leading to the creation of the European Union. From the devastating conflicts of the World Wars to the visionary treaties that established economic and political integration, we explore the pivotal moments that have defined this partnership. So tune in as we examine the current state and future prospects of the euro, discussing its strengths, challenges, and the role it plays in maintaining European stability. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss the EU's global foreign policy. How has the EU been faring in its attempt to remain (or become?) a global power amid the declining liberal world order? Can the EU diminish its dependency on China's market and rare materials? How should it position itself towards the United States after the presidential elections in November? Is it capable of avoiding being dragged into the US-China rivalry? How can it become a credible partner in the eyes of the so-called Global South? Does the Franco-German leadership of the European Union still hold? Misha Glenny and Christos Katsioulis elaborate on these and many other pressing issues. Guests: Misha Glenny is an award-winning journalist, author and public intellectual. He is the Rector of the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) - the role he assumed in May 2022. He covered the 1989 revolutions and wars in the former Yugoslavia for The Guardian and was the BBC's Central Europe Correspondent. In 1993, he received the Sony Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting, and in 2012 he was named BT Information Security Journalist of The Year. His publications have been met with considerable international acclaim, including his account of Yugoslavia's descent into civil war. In more recent years, Misha Glenny has dedicated his journalistic activities to the uncovering of geopolitical and cybersecurity issues. His books McMafia: A Journey Through the Global Criminal Underworld and DarkMarket: Cyberthieves, Cybercops and You were shortlisted for several awards. McMafia has been adapted into a major television drama, and the adaptation of his latest book, Nemesis: One Man and the Battle for Rio, will follow soon. Glenny is also a regular contributor to major publications in Europe, North America and Japan. Christos Katsioulis is the Director of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Regional Office for International Cooperation. Born in Böblingen, Germany, he studied History and Political Science at the University of Trier and the Aristotle-University in Thessaloniki. He obtained his MA in International Relations from the Institute for Political Science in Trier, where he taught international relations and foreign policy from 2003 to 2005. After that he joined the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, starting as policy officer in the EU-Office in Brussels and from 2007 to 2012 as expert on foreign policy in the International Policy Analysis Unit in Berlin. In 2012 he founded and headed the FES Office in Athens, later he headed the EU Office in Brussels as well as the London Office of FES. Christos has been a regular commentator on European affairs in the German as well as international media and a regular contributor for the journal Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft. Moderation: Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP. The episode was recorded on 29 May 2024.

Președinta Reuniunii Naționale franceze, Marine Le Pen, a declarat miercuri că partidul său, RN, trebuie să rupă clar legăturile cu Alternativa pentru Germania (AfD). Potrivit Reuters, ea a sugerat că formaţiunea germană a devenit un aliat prea toxic înaintea alegerilor europene din iunie. Totul, după o declarație a unui lider al AfD care a relativizat crimele comise de unitățile SS, în cel de-al doilea război mondial. Evenimentul arată cât de dificilă este cooperarea în cadrul extremei drepte europene, cu toate semnalele de unitate pe care liderii acestor partide încearcă să le transmită.Într-un interviu acordat la sfârşitul săptămânii trecute ziarului italian La Repubblica, principalul candidat al AfD la alegerile europarlamentare, Maximilian Krah, a declarat că în "SS nu au fost toţi criminali".De partea sa, Marine Le Pen a acuzat AfD că este lipsit de cârmă şi că se află în slujba elementelor radicale din interiorul său.Vorbind la postul de radio Europe1, Le Pen a afirmat că "AfD merge din provocare în provocare", și că a venit timpul pentru o ruptură clară cu această mişcare.Cum ar putea arăta această ruptură este greu de întrevăzut, câtă vreme Reuniunea Națională și AfD fac parte din același grup politic european, Identitate și Democrație.Însă reacția liderei Reuniunii Naționale era practic obligatorie în contextul electoral, date fiind sensibilitățile franceze în legătură cu cel de-al doilea război mondial. Marine Le Pen nu putea decât să se lepede – și încă repede – de confrații germani.Trecând peste interesele legate de alegeri, evenimentul arată cât de greu se pot pune de acord între ele formațiunile extremei drepte.Reunite în ultimul weekend la Madrid, mai multe formațiuni naționaliste și de extremă dreapta europene au căutat să dea un mesaj de unitate. În ultimii ani s-a vorbit chiar despre un fel de ”Internațională Naționalistă” care, dincolo de contradicția termenilor, s-a dovedit imposibilă.Explicația e simplă: zâmbetele și angajamentul comun împotriva societăților deschise și liberale nu pot ascunde o realitate: aceea că proiectele naționale mărețe, așa cum le prezintă naționaliștii și extremiștii de dreapta, sunt mereu în detrimentul unor națiuni învecinate.La ele acasă, aceste partide își câștigă electoratele prin mesaje puternic încărcate de naționalism. Doar că, în Europa, naționalismele sunt de sens contrar, că vorbim despre Franța și Germania, Austria și Italia, Serbia și Albania, Grecia și Turcia, România și Ungaria – și exemplele pot continua.Apropos: să observăm reacția furibundă a formațiunii românești AUR la adresa UDMR. Reacția a fost pusă de analiști pe seama faptului că partidul ungar FIDESZ, al lui Viktor Orban, ar fi refuzat admiterea AUR în grupul conservatorilor europeni.Uniunea Europeană a fost constituită tocmai plecând de la abandonarea acestor naționalisme care au dezbinat continentul și au aruncat popoarele în războaie neîncetate.De partea lor, după ce au abandonat ideea ”Exit-urilor”, având în vedere experiența cel puțin neconvingătoare a britanicilor, extremiștii de dreapta vorbesc acum despre o schimbare a Uniunii din interior. Ba chiar – cum este cazul celor din România – de o revenire la Europa părinților fondatori, care au pus bazele proiectului păcii începând cu 1950.Însă exacerbarea naționalismelor și ciocnirile dure dintre partidele de extremă dreapta trimit mai degrabă cu gândul la o epocă mai întunecată a Europei, de dinainte de 1945. Ascultați rubrica ”Eurocronica”, cu Ovidiu Nahoi, în fiecare zi, de luni până vineri, de la 8.45 și în reluare duminica, de la 15.00, numai la RFI România

Speakers: Professor Eleanor Sharpston KC, Advocate General, CJEU (2006-2020) and Goodhart Professor, University of Cambridge (2023/2024) and Dr Markus W. Gehring, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law and Member of CELS. Abstract: On 18 September 2023 the Group of 12 Experts from both France and Germany released their proposal ‘Sailing on High Seas: Reforming and Enlarging the EU for the 21st Century'. The Group make two proposals on the Rule of Law and five further proposals for institutional reform. Overall, the Group had three objectives to increase the EU's capacity to act, to get the institutions ready for enlargement and strengthen democratic legitimacy and rule of law. This resulted in a series of proposals for inter alia treaty change. The proposals are all on a continuum but largely aim for reform rather than a recreation of the European Union. They align with other reform proposals and at times take up proposals that were made for EU reform in the past or indeed discussed during the EU Constitutional convention process in the early 2000s. The objective here was clearly reformation rather than revolution. This conversation discusses some of the individual reform proposals in the context of the practice of the Court of Justice – could these proposal mean the beginning of 'Europe's Second Constitution'?For more information see:https://www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/weekly-seminar-series

Speakers: Professor Eleanor Sharpston KC, Advocate General, CJEU (2006-2020) and Goodhart Professor, University of Cambridge (2023/2024) and Dr Markus W. Gehring, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law and Member of CELS. Abstract: On 18 September 2023 the Group of 12 Experts from both France and Germany released their proposal ‘Sailing on High Seas: Reforming and Enlarging the EU for the 21st Century'. The Group make two proposals on the Rule of Law and five further proposals for institutional reform. Overall, the Group had three objectives to increase the EU's capacity to act, to get the institutions ready for enlargement and strengthen democratic legitimacy and rule of law. This resulted in a series of proposals for inter alia treaty change. The proposals are all on a continuum but largely aim for reform rather than a recreation of the European Union. They align with other reform proposals and at times take up proposals that were made for EU reform in the past or indeed discussed during the EU Constitutional convention process in the early 2000s. The objective here was clearly reformation rather than revolution. This conversation discusses some of the individual reform proposals in the context of the practice of the Court of Justice – could these proposal mean the beginning of 'Europe's Second Constitution'?For more information see:https://www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/weekly-seminar-series

Alastair Campbell, renowned as Britain's leading political master communicator, is pioneering the way in regaining control of the UK's political debate while also garnering a massive following worldwide. His podcast, "The Rest is Politics," co-hosted with former Tory Cabinet minister Rory Stewart, boasts over one million listeners per episode, dominating charts from the UK to Suriname. Their ability to captivate audiences is evident in their capacity to fill venues like the Royal Albert Hall in no time. „We are just two guys who talk politics.” Campbell's charm lies not just in his intellect and his special use of language but also in his humor and wit, making this conversation as enlightening as it is entertaining. In our 60 minutes, we delve into various pressing topics: • his influence on setting the political tone • domestic and international political challenges and the need for fundamental resetting • Citizen empowerment and how to handle today's endless propaganda and stupidity • the exhausted democratic systems in the West, effective leadership strategies, • the misuse of language and transitioning to a language of respect • he‘s one out of million Brits, whose linguistic abilities, he speaks German and French, provide a unique lens through which to analyze Franco-German politics, • and of course, reflecting on Campbell's career milestones, including his powerful role in Tony Blair's government and being one of the few high-profile Brits who openly address mental health. "But What Can I do?" Alastair's latest book, "But What Can I Do?," - book 19 in 16 years - skyrocketed to Sunday Times Bestseller status. He offers citizens a comprehensive guide to engage in politics effectively. And! people do take his words literally and go out, get into action, and start working in politics. Campbell offers profound insights drawn from decades of experience - tune in to our wonderful hour with a person whose life is politics.

Who would Putin's successor be? Could the Conservatives change leader again? Why is the Franco-German relationship deteriorating? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more on today's episode of The Rest Is Politics.

Max and Donatienne discuss the recent Franco-German spat on Ukraine and the direction of European defense before turning to the EU's new defense industrial strategy. Then, Max talks to Ambassador Charles Fries, Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security and Defense at the European External Action Service (EEAS), about the EU's role as a defense actor.  Learn more:   Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts  The European Union Charts Its Own Path for European Rearmament 

As always there is a fascinating phenomenon when the globalised world of tech meets the localised worlds of custom, people, rules and regulations. As recently as LFP243 we dived in to the world of tech as a whole in Berlin and today we dive into Fintech in France. Needless to say France is a massive market, well banked and a real venue for Fintech. That having been said there are, as always, some downsides. In this episode we have a fascinating historical, philosophical and very practical conversation about the nature of Fintech in France. Louis is well-placed to discuss these matters being not only a co-founder of Hokodo which is based in Paris and has more than 100 staff, most of whom are in London. Furthermore he is very multicultural in a European sense having been brought up as first a German speaker in Champagne and then Strasbourg in Alsace which looks both east and west, not least of which as it has been part of Germany and of France at varying times. He moved from there to Paris and describes the Paris-isation of French students and the de-regionalisation process they go through. Furthermore he has worked in Switzerland – also rather Franco-German as well as the UK. Thus who better to lay out the pros and cons of Fintech in France? Topics discussed include: regional accents and dialects and the trend over time to create one language at the expense of the regional variants comparisons with life in Switzerland and regionalism in the dialects anecdote of going to a Parisian university Louis' career journey starting in London through Australia and Asia the early genesis of the move into Fintech and founding of Hokodo Hokodo is headquartered in the UK despite two of the co-founders being bases in Paris the genesis of Fintech in France the nature of the competitive context in France re existing banks the nature of the French regulatory environment when Big Banks got into innovation regulation and innovation in business lending in France compared to the UK or the Netherlands cost of innovation compared to regulatory climate and the resultant levels of innovation Eurosceloris as, inter alia, being driven by mass regulation favouring incumbents and protecting them from competition John Law and the background to French attitudes to banking, finance and money the split of Catholic attitudes to money and Protestant attitudes the form between common law and the Napoleonic code how the latter started off as A Good Thing but just gets bigger and bigger Case Study of Labour Law – ~4,000pp in France ~200pp in Switzerland the challenge for founders and even their advisers in simple matters like calculating the number of holidays for employees even the accountants get this wrong! the degree of centralisation of Fintech in Paris the impact of c19 on this centralisation trend French history as collapse and rebuild “France does revolutions but England does Evolutions” the good news about being in Paris strong move in France to digitisation the main advantage of being based in France leading in marketplaces along with Germany and the UK falling behind Trade Finance in Europe and France the ecosystem and State approach VC and PE investment trends in France a government body invests in 1 funding round out of 5! comparison with the formation of the East India companies French tech talent market attracting top talent as a startup/scaleup shoutouts for Hokodo's core business products/services an explanation of the many layers of reference contained within the Hokodo name the B2B trade market and changes taking place Hokodo's international expansion plans And much much more

Season 3, episode 2 of our six-part series The New Germany with historian Katja Hoyer and journalist Oliver Moody is about the political relationship between Germany and France. How can Franco-German relations find their way back to a functioning modus operandi? And to what extent have the views of the respective heads of state influenced the partnership? Guest: Rym Momtaz, journalist and Consultant Research Fellow for European Foreign Policy and Security (IISS)

In our latest podcast, our team discusses the austerity that is now descending on the EU, the consequence of Franco-German fiscal divergence, and how aid for Ukraine fits into this.

“The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.” Former German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's advice seems to have resonated with an entire generation of German leaders in the 21st century, from the Social-Democrat Gerhard Schroder to the CDU's Angela Merkel. For years, Germany built its economic ties with Russia, but also simultaneously its dependence on Vladimir Putin's increasingly authoritarian and militaristic regime. A German illusion that crashed somewhere in the fields of Ukraine in February 2022. But Germany is not the only European heavyweight to have indulged itself with these Russian illusions. Across the Rhine, several French presidents, of all political stripes, have also attempted to build ties with Russia in the name of France's strategic interests. With mixed results at best. Today we try to understand these Franco-German illusions and their consequences. We are joined by Guy Chazan, Berlin bureau chief at the Financial Times, and Sylvie Kauffmann, columnist for Le Monde and author of Les Aveuglés (2023), a brilliant book on today's topic!  As always, please rate and review Uncommon Decency on the platform of your choice and send us your comments or questions either on Twitter at @UnDecencyPod or by e-mail at undecencypod@gmail.com. And please consider supporting the show through Patreon to get access to the full episode where we talk in further detail about France and the vindication of Polish fears: https://www.patreon.com/undecencypod.

In this week's Centre for European Reform podcast Camino Mortera-Martinez, head of the Brussels office and Sander Tordoir, senior economist, join our host Octavia Hughes to discuss the implications of the Spanish and Dutch elections for the EU. They explore the causes of the political impasse in Spain and the consequences of government collapse in the Netherlands. The Spanish and the Dutch have become important power brokers in the EU as a result of weakening Franco-German relations. Now, with the pair of countries as a diminished force, will the EU come to a standstill? Produced by Octavia Hughes Music by Edward Hipkins

In the early hours of August 20, 1914, as dawn caressed the Eastern French landscape, the quaint town of Morhange, an emblem of Franco-German tension in the contested province of Alsace-Lorraine, braced for a confrontation that would etch its name into the annals of the Great War. This pivotal encounter, today known as the Battle of Morhange, was but a small part of the larger picture — a cataclysm that would redefine the borders of nations and the lives of millions. Morhange was not merely a geographic location; it was the symbol of a complex past that interwove the destinies of two great powers: France and Germany. It was a legacy of the Franco-Prussian war, a grim reminder of the scars that the past had inflicted, and the catalyst of a colossal clash that was to transpire. Within this tale of strategy, endurance, and sacrifice are woven the individual stories of those who planned, fought, and endured. Their hopes, fears, and experiences during these testing times brought forth a narrative that echoes even a century later. Through their tales, we will explore the intricate plans, the furious battles, the stunning victories, and the painful retreats that all culminated in the Battle of Morhange. This saga of the Great War is not only a tale of commanders and strategies but also of ordinary soldiers and civilians caught in extraordinary circumstances. It is a tale that resonates with the universal human experiences of hope, fear, courage, and loss. It serves as a timeless reminder of the human cost of war and the pursuit of peace. As we embark on this journey through time, let us remember that history is more than just a record of the past; it is a guidebook to the future, a mirror reflecting the triumphs and follies of humanity. Let us step back in time to August 1914, as the clouds of war gather over the sleepy town of Morhange.

The European Commission and Parliament were busily debating the Artificial Intelligence Act when GPT-4 launched on 14 March. As people realised that GPT technology was a game-changer, they called for the Act to be reconsidered.Famously, the EU contains no tech giants, so cutting edge AI is mostly developed in the US and China. But the EU is more than happy to act as the world's most pro-active regulator of digital technologies, including AI. The 2016 General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR) seeks to regulate data protection and privacy, and its impacts remain controversial today.The AI Act was proposed in 2021. It does not confer rights on individuals, but instead regulates the providers of artificial intelligence systems. It is a risk-based approach.John Higgins joins us in this episode to discuss the AI Act. John is the Chair of the Global Digital Foundation, a think tank, and last year he was president of BCS (British Computer Society), the professional body for the IT industry. He has had a long and distinguished career helping to shape digital policy in the UK and the EU.Follow-up reading:https://www.globaldigitalfoundation.org/https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/Topics addressed in this episode include:*) How different is generative AI from the productivity tools that have come before?*) Two approaches to regulation compared: a "Franco-German" approach and an "Anglo-American" approach*) The precautionary principle, for when a regulatory framework needs to be established in order to provide market confidence*) The EU's preference for regulating applications rather than regulating technology*) The types of application that matter most - when there is an impact on human rights and/or safety*) Regulations in the Act compared to the principles that good developers will in any case be following*) Problems with lack of information about the data sets used to train LLMs (Large Language Models)*) Enabling the flow, between the different "providers" within the AI value chain, of information about compliance*) Two potential alternatives to how the EU aims to regulate AI*) How an Act passes through EU legislation*) Conflicting assessments of the GDPR: a sledgehammer to crack a nut?*) Is it conceivable that LLMs will be banned in Europe?*) Why are there no tech giants in Europe? Does it matter?*) Other metrics for measuring the success of AI within Europe*) Strengths and weaknesses of the EU single market*) Reasons why the BCS opposed the moratorium proposed by the FLI: impracticality, asymmetry, benefits held back*) Some counterarguments in favour of the FLI position*) Projects undertaken by the Global Digital Foundation*) The role of AI in addressing (as well as exacerbating) hate speech*) Growing concerns over populism, polarisation, and post-truth*) The need for improved transparency and improved understandingMusic: Spike Protein, by Koi Discovery, available under CC0 1.0 Public Domain Declaration

A year ahead of the EU elections, commentators are already feverishly speculating about whether Ursula von der Leyen will stay on as president of the European Commission. Meanwhile, others lament the ongoing lethargy of the Franco-German motor. But focusing too much on these questions risks ignoring key players outside the traditional halls of European power, some of whom have been growing in influence. What can these countries and their domestic politics tell us about the future of the EU? In this episode – live from ECFR's staff retreat in Porto – Mark Leonard welcomes the heads of ECFR's national offices: Nacho Torreblanca, Arturo Varvelli, Vessela Tcherneva, and Piotr Buras. Has it become harder for the Polish government to attack the EU, given its pro-Ukraine policies? What is the status of coalition talks in Bulgaria? And how will Spain's EU presidency shape the political agenda from July to December? This podcast was recorded on 10 May 2023. Bookshelf: And then what?: Inside Stories of 21st Century Diplomacy by Catherine Ashton Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy by Ece Temelkuran Putin's People: How the KGB took back Russia and then took on the West by Catherine Belton I am Giorgia Meloni: my rules, my ideas by Giorgia Meloni

The first main clash of the First World War was on the borders of France and Germany and in Belgium. The Belgians put up more resistance than the Germans expect. However, the Battle of the Frontiers, on the Franco-German border, from 7 August to 6 September 1914 was a disaster for the French army, who suffered very heavy casualties. Meanwhile, the British Expeditionary Force were making their way to the front.The war was set on a grim path of attritional fighting, and with both sides able to draw on millions more men it became virtually impossible to secure an easy victory. As stalemate was reached, the dreadful realisation set in that the combatants would be in this for the long haul.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff (Preludes, Op. 32, Lento, in B minor)Picture - French Bayonet ChargeTheme tune for the podcast by Nico Vettese, www.wetalkofdreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ongoing Censorship of Endtime – Did you know there are over 70 genders - World Government at the World Economic Forum – The prophesied Franco-German alliance – The powerbase of the Antichrist all prophetic and in the headlines today! We'll discuss these events and more on this edition of The Endtime Show!

It has been 60 years since the foundation of the Élysée Treaty, which was signed on the 22 January 1963. The treaty aimed to create close bilateral collaboration between France and Germany, to help reconcile past conflicts between the two countries and to allow them to emerge as one of the ‘engines' of European integration. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Bruegel's concept as a Think Tank. The concept was developed jointly by Nicolas Véron and Jean Pisani-Ferry in 2003. The idea was later endorsed by French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who jointly declared that to help “contribute to international debates on economic, financial and trade policy, France and Germany have decided to launch a European initiative for the creation of a centre for the international economy devoted to those subjects. In this episode of The Sound of the Economics, Nicolas Véron and Jean Pisani-Ferry, two Frenchmen and founders of Bruegel, invite their German colleague, Cornelia Woll, President of the Hertie School, to revisit Franco-German relations from the signing of the Élysée Treaty, discussing the importance of those relations in European integration and how to redefine them in a modern context.

In this episode we are talking about the US inflation reduction act and the Franco-German response to it. We also look at how Turkey is defying economic orthodoxy.

Orwell Road: Why would Russia run an out-sized embassy operation in Dublin? The Franco-German relationship gets bumpy, Turkey's deportation targets put Afghans at risk and Hungary says goodbye to a once iconic bus. Also in our Mediterranean Sea special, we explore the sight, smell, taste and touch of this huge waterway and its influence on all Europeans

This week we're wrestling with a big idea: time, and the lack of it. Most Europeans have experienced burnout, or felt close to it, at some point in their lives. What if we redesigned policies to give citizens their time back? To find out more, we called up Ariadna Güell Sans, one of the coordinators of the Barcelona Time Use Initiative, about how the city is using time to try to make life easier and fairer. We're also talking about incomprehensible euro-speak, and healing Franco-German relations with train tickets. You can find Christian Rauh's study on the European Commission's unintelligible press releases here and Sarah Wheaton's reporting on it here in Politico. The European burnout survey can be found here. This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Something to Do' from Zadie Smith's 'Intimations', and Katy's Notion planner. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify. 02:35 Bad Week: Impenetrable euro-speak 10:46 Good Week: French and German young'uns 19:12 Interview: Ariadna Güell Sans on giving Barcelona's citizens their time back 34:57 Isolation Inspiration: 'Something To Do' by Zadie Smith, Notion and Rádio Olisipo 38:36 Happy Ending: The Netherlands' high school mayo dealers Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family. Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Europe is in a bad place: the war in Ukraine, energy crisis, inflation, looming recession, political and social tensions—the list seems endless. Over the last several decades, the relationship between France and Germany has been central to Europe's progress and regardless of who's been in power in Berlin or Paris, that relationship has always been made to work. Now, however, those countries are obviously out of sync. Their leaders lack a shared vision of where Europe should go or how to get there. The question is how Europe can recover if the French and Germans can't figure out how to work together. Can this marriage be saved? Laure Mandeville, a senior reporter at Le Figaro with considerable expertise in French, European and Russian politics and Friedbert Pflüger, a former German parliamentarian and state secretary for defense joined Tällberg's Alan Stoga for this conversation about Europe through the lens of France and Germany. It was originally recorded during a recent Tällberg Foundation webinar and lightly edited for this presentation.

Arthur Lewis, creative director for Atlanta's upcoming UTA Fine Arts and UTA Artist Space, tells us about their plans for next year. Plus, The Alliance Française d'Atlanta and Goethe German Cultural Center have joined forces to create the new Franco-German Cultural Center of Atlanta and we'll hear about their new programming. And our series “Speaking of Music” features The Bea Arthurs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our latest podcast we talk about how Olaf Scholz is preparing his visit to China and what it means for the Franco-German relationship and how the US might react.

This Wednesday saw a working lunch between Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz – a meeting stripped of fanfare and followed up with no press conference, simply a laconic tweet from the German side. Just how badly is Europe's Franco-German motor misfiring? Germany has decided to go solo on energy security and favour US military hardware over European in its landmark military overhaul. The EU's united front in the face of Russia's war in Ukraine may be showing some cracks. Which way for Germany and for Europe?

Leon Trotsky and revolutionary strategy in the 20th and 21st centuries / Opposition of railroaders to Biden-brokered contract points to breakdown of bureaucratic control / Franco-German tensions shape EU summit

The Eurointelligence team discusses how senseless vaccine PR wars distract from looming lockdowns, the plight of the Ever Given and why Franco-German business interests make the EU vulnerable to China.

The Eurointelligence team discusses Germany's inability to abandon Nord Stream 2, the growing Franco-German divide and Italy's reform prospects