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• Why Europe’s Support for Ukraine Might Change as the War Drags on? 01.07.2026 18мин

  A seismic shift in Europe's outlook on Ukraine reveals a complex web of diplomacy, resilience, and strategic ambiguity. As the Ukraine conflict enters its fifth year, the question isn't just about battlefield gains—it's about what comes next. Are European leaders ready to explore backchannel talks, or is open negotiation still a distant dream? If you've been wondering how Europe is balancing steadfast support with cautious diplomacy, this episode sheds light on the subtle art of engaging with a most unpredictable adversary—the Kremlin.In this four episode series, Making Defence European Again, four of our ECFR fellows discuss analysis and advice on the future of European security.You’ll discover how Ukraine’s resilience on the battlefield is reshaping European support, why the EU and US are recalibrating their military and diplomatic strategies, and the nuanced debates over talking to Russia—whether at the top-level or through discreet channels. We break down the shifting political landscape, where the stability of Ukraine is increasingly viewed as vital for Europe’s security, yet public appetite for full EU integration remains cautious. Understand why economic sanctions, military aid, and behind-the-scenes negotiations are all part of the evolving chess game.This episode dives into the stakes of continued conflict, the risks of diplomacy now vs. waiting for a weaker Russia, and the broader implications for European security architecture. With expert insights on the internal politics of France, Germany, the UK, and Ukraine, you’ll learn why strategic patience could transform the future of this devastating war—and Europe’s place within it.The war in Ukraine shows that long-term resilience matters more than quick battlefield gains.Informal diplomatic signals can test an adversary’s willingness to de-escalate without making concessions.We discuss:▶︎Refusing all dialogue can strengthen an enemy’s narrative, while quiet diplomacy can preserve unity.▶︎The timing of negotiations matters less than having a clear purpose and strategy.▶︎European unity on Ukraine depends more on political will than on public consensus.Don’t miss the inside story on why the next moves could define the future of European stability—and how understanding the intricate diplomacy behind the scenes might just be your key to predicting what’s coming. Stay informed, stay prepared, and see beyond the headlines.2026 © A production from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) This work was supported in part by a grant from the Open Society Foundations.☛ Resources & Links:Making defence European again – European Council on Foreign RelationsWhat the Iran war means for Ukraine – European Council on Foreign Relations☛ Speakers:★ Jana Kobzová, Co-director, European Security Programme, Senior Policy Fellow Jana Kobzová – European Council on Foreign Relations★ Paweł Zerka, Senior Policy Fellow Paweł Zerka – European Council on Foreign Relations ★ Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, Deputy Head, Warsaw Office, Policy Fellow Marta Prochwicz Jazowska – European Council on Foreign Relations★ Célia Belin, Head, ECFR Paris, Senior Policy FellowCélia Belin – European Council on Foreign RelationsThis discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic challenges faced by Europe and actionable ideas for enhancing its security sovereignty amidst a complex geopolitical environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Why Europeans Are More Ready Than You Think to Defend Themselves? 01.07.2026 18мин

  Europe stands at a pivotal moment in its security future — public support is higher than ever for investing in defence, yet deep challenges threaten to undermine that momentum. Are European leaders ready to capitalise on this rare window of opportunity before elections, economic crises, and geopolitical tensions redirect attention elsewhere?In this four episode series, Making Defence European Again, four of our ECFR fellows discuss analysis and advice on the future of European security.In this eye-opening episode, we explore the paradox of European defence: while polls show Europeans desire greater security and support increased military spending, lingering doubts, economic worries, and electoral fears complicate the path forward. Pawel, a polling expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, reveals how recent shifts in public opinion—from wariness of the US to a cautious optimism about Europe—offer a strategic moment for leaders to push bold defence reforms.You'll discover:▶︎The surprising data showing Europeans simultaneously distrust the US and believe in their own collective security.▶︎Why Europe's perception of threats varies dramatically across countries—and how this influences their willingness to invest more in defense.▶︎How recent geopolitical turmoil — from Trump's threats to Russia's hybrid threats — has shifted public sentiment.Why this summer is critical: a rare alignment of public support, political will, and geopolitical urgency.▶︎The massive reforms needed for Europe to genuinely "make defence European again," including conscription and institutional changes.But missing this opportunity could have lasting consequences. Without decisive action, European nations risk squandering their mandate for stronger security in the face of rising threats and increasing electoral uncertainty. The stakes are high: innovate now, or fall behind in a world where only powerful, cohesive European defence can ensure stability.Perfect for policymakers, security enthusiasts, and anyone invested in Europe's future — this episode offers a strategic roadmap for turning public support into concrete, lasting change before the window closes.Join us to uncover how Europe’s moment for defence reform could be game-changing — if leaders step up.2026 © A production from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) This work was supported in part by a grant from the Open Society Foundations.☛ Resources & Links:Home alone: Europeans are ready to defend themselves – European Council on Foreign RelationsMaking defence European again – European Council on Foreign Relations☛ Speakers:★ Paweł Zerka, Senior Policy Fellow Paweł Zerka – European Council on Foreign Relations ★ Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, Deputy Head, Warsaw Office, Policy FellowMarta Prochwicz Jazowska – European Council on Foreign Relations★ Jana Kobzová, Co-director, European Security Programme, Senior Policy FellowJana Kobzová – European Council on Foreign Relations★ Célia Belin, Head, ECFR Paris, Senior Policy FellowCélia Belin – European Council on Foreign RelationsThis discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic challenges faced by Europe and actionable ideas for enhancing its security sovereignty amidst a complex geopolitical environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The Crucial Role of Article 5: Can NATO Hold Without US Leadership? 01.07.2026 21мин

  Exploring the current state of European security, NATO's future, and the evolving role of the United States in protecting Europe. Experts from the European Council on Foreign Relations share their perspectives on threats, alliances, and strategic autonomy.In this four episode series, Making Defence European Again, four of our ECFR fellows discuss analysis and advice on the future of European security.Key topics discussed:▶︎The shifting US military presence in Europe and implications for NATO▶︎ The significance of Article 5 and European dependence on American capabilities▶︎ How Poland and other Eastern European countries are strengthening their military posture▶︎ The risks and opportunities of transforming European security architecture▶︎ The impact of American political unpredictability, especially under Donald Trump▶︎ The role of European Union and bilateral treaties in defense cooperation▶︎ Assessing whether Europeans can rely on NATO and how to enhance sovereignty▶︎ Recommendations for Europe to develop its own strategic defense capabilities2026 © A production from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) This work was supported in part by a grant from the Open Society Foundations.☛ Resources & Links:https://ecfr.eu/publication/making-de...https://ecfr.eu/article/hold-the-line...☛ Speakers:★ Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, Deputy Head, Warsaw Office, Policy Fellow https://ecfr.eu/profile/marta-prochwi...★ Jana Kobzová, Co-director, European Security Programme, Senior Policy Fellow https://ecfr.eu/profile/jana_kobzova/★ Célia Belin, Head, ECFR Paris, Senior Policy Fellowhttps://ecfr.eu/profile/celia-belin/★ Paweł Zerka, Senior Policy Fellow https://ecfr.eu/profile/pawel_zerka/ This discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic challenges faced by Europe and actionable ideas for enhancing its security sovereignty amidst a complex geopolitical environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• How a Marine Le Pen or Bardella Presidency Could Divide Europe Further 01.07.2026 18мин

  The future of Europe may be shaping up to look very different—and far more unpredictable. As France stands on the brink of a potentially historic election, experts reveal the high stakes and hidden risks that could reshape European unity, security, and global influence. If a far-right candidate like Jordan Bardella or Marine Le Pen takes power, what does that mean for NATO, European integration, and the continent’s strategic autonomy?In this four episode series, Making Defence European Again, four of our ECFR fellows discuss analysis and advice on the future of European security.In this episode, we dive deep into France's evolving political landscape amid rising nationalism, dissect the long-term implications for EU cohesion, and explore what Europe's neighbors should be preparing for. You'll learn how internal struggles within France could fragment alliances, weaken shared defenses, and upend the delicate balance of trust and cooperation—raising urgent questions for every European nation.We break down:▶︎The shifting sands of France’s presidential race and how elections historically alter European stability▶︎Why a far-right government might pursue a more unilateral foreign policy and “renegotiate” its role in NATO and EU defense▶︎How French electoral mechanics and public sentiment set the stage for a potential radical left-right showdown▶︎The implications of France’s domestic economic strains on its foreign policy priorities▶︎What European allies can do—early engagement, diplomacy, or containment—to mitigate unpredictable outcomesThis episode is essential watching if you’re concerned about the future of European security, the stability of NATO, or whether nationalism will tip the continent into new uncertainties. Whether you're a policy enthusiast, a security analyst, or simply curious about how France’s political shifts could echo across borders—you’ll find critical insights and a sobering look at what’s at stake.With expert insights from fellows tracking European politics, and strategic analysis from insiders who understand France’s complex journey—this conversation illuminates the risks, opportunities, and critical decisions that could shape Europe’s next chapter.Are we heading toward a more divided and isolated Europe? Or can early diplomacy and strategic foresight turn the tide? Tune in to find out—because what happens in France could determine Europe's future for decades to come.2026 © A production from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) This work was supported in part by a grant from the Open Society Foundations.☛ Resources & Links:https://ecfr.eu/publication/if-bardel...https://ecfr.eu/publication/making-de...☛ Speakers:★ Célia Belin, Head, ECFR Paris, Senior Policy Fellowhttps://ecfr.eu/profile/celia-belin/★ Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, Deputy Head, Warsaw Office, Policy Fellow https://ecfr.eu/profile/marta-prochwi...★ Jana Kobzová, Co-director, European Security Programme, Senior Policy Fellow https://ecfr.eu/profile/jana_kobzova/★ Paweł Zerka, Senior Policy Fellow https://ecfr.eu/profile/pawel_zerka/ This discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic challenges faced by Europe and actionable ideas for enhancing its security sovereignty amidst a complex geopolitical environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Moldova: The EU frontrunner outrunning Russia 13.05.2026 27мин

  Moldova is often held up as an EU enlargement success story. Beneath the reform headlines lies a country shaped by decades of economic pressure, Russian interference—and politics driven as much by survival as ideology.Jessica Hendrick speaks with Dumitru Alaiba, Moldova’s former deputy prime minister and minister of economic development and digitalisation, and Maia Machavariani, director of programmes at the Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy working on the RE-ENGAGE project. Alaiba argues that Moldova is proof that “Russia can lose” after its repeated failed attempts to derail the country’s European trajectory. At the same time, RE-ENGAGE research reveals a gap: Moldovans still trust informal networks more than the state itself.Drawing on this, and Alaiba’s experience governing through war, energy blackmail, inflation and political destabilisation, Jessica, Maia and Dumitru discuss Moldova’s “final divorce from Moscow”, the stakes behind this weekend’s local election and what Moldova’s chairing of the Council of Europe reveals about Europe’s wider battle against disinformation and democratic backsliding.Why did Russia fail to derail Moldova’s recent election? What happens when citizens trust personal networks more than state institutions? And can EU-backed reforms build long-term democratic resilience in the country? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Eastern Europe’s breaking point: When crises collide and the EU hesitates 02.04.2026 42мин

  Jessica Hendrick welcomes Sophie Gueudet, research fellow at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies working on the RE-ENGAGE project, and Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Ukrainian member of parliament and chair of the Parliamentary Committee on EU Integration to explore how external crises and internal fractures—from oil price surges triggered by the Iran conflict to Hungary’s veto politics inside the EU—are testing paths to accession.Drawing on RE-ENGAGE’s four-scenario framework, the conversation examines whether Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are moving toward deeper integration, or drifting into fragmentation and uncertainty.Jessica, Sophie and Ms. Klympush-Tsintsadze explore how energy shocks, political divisions and stalled EU decision-making are reshaping regional trust, resilience and strategic direction. As pressures mount, the credibility of the enlargement process—and the EU’s role as a geopolitical anchor—is being called into question.What signals should Europe be watching for to understand where the region is heading? At what point do repeated crises stop being temporary disruptions and start reshaping the system itself? And if trust in the EU’s enlargement process erodes, who—or what—steps in to fill that gap?Further reading:RE-ENGAGE Eastern Europe Strategic ForecastRE-ENGAGE country case study on GeorgiaRE-ENGAGE country case study on MoldovaThis podcast was recorded on March 30th 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Yemen: Between Gulf tensions and Iran war clouds 26.02.2026 36мин

  Yemen is once again in a shifting geopolitical landscape: amid the increasing risk of military conflict between the US and Iran, rising tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and mounting instability across the Red Sea. In this episode of the WOMENP podcast, ECFR visiting fellow Cinzia Bianco welcomes Yasmeen Al-Eryani, co-executive director, knowledge production at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies and Maysaa Shuja al-Deen, senior researcher at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies. Together, they unpack what these developments mean for Yemen’s fragile political trajectory and wider regional security, and their key implications for Europe. The discussion explores how mounting instability can be contained and what the international community can do to strengthen legitimate governance structures in Yemen—thereby reviving a credible political process. Listen to all past episodes of the WOMENP series.  This podcast was recorded on February 25th 2026.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Trump's Iran choice: Regional takes 10.02.2026 47мин

  In this episode of ECFR’s WOMENP podcast, Ellie Geranmayeh welcomes Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, associate senior policy follow at ECFR, Dina Esfandiary, Middle East geoeconomics lead at Bloomberg Economics and Yasmine Farouk, Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project director at International Crisis Group, to discuss regional perspectives around the current turmoil in Iran, following deadly protests and growing calls for US military intervention. What can be expected from the US military build up in the Middle East and the revival of Iran-US talks in Oman? What is Turkey’s position? And how likely is it that Arab Gulf powers can prevent a new war in the region? Listen to all past episodes of the WOMENP series.This podcast was recorded on February 9th 2026.  Must-read and must-see items suggested by experts: “What Iran’s Dead Loved and Fought For” by Arash AziziIran protests coverage (Washington Post) by Nilo Tabrizy, Yeganeh Torbati, Meg Kelly, Imogen Piper, Asal Abasian“The Fall of the House of Assad” by Robert F. WorthThe Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran DesaiTaraneh: A Documentary by Directed by Pegah Ahangarani Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Trust, anger and the limits of EU democracy promotion 19.12.2025 35мин

  In the EU’s enlargement debate, attention usually centres on Brussels—legal benchmarks, progress reports and diplomatic bargaining. But in countries hoping to join the bloc, politics is often decided via informal power networks, fragile institutions and the everyday effort of navigating uncertainty. This week, The Neighbourhood shifts from the top-down to the ground level as Jessica Hendrick speaks with Morten Bøås, research professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), who is leading RE-ENGAGE’s comparative fieldwork across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine. Together, they take listeners behind the scenes of how the project gathers original data in places shaped by war, protest and political pressure. Methods range from training local university students to conduct trust surveys to vignette experiments that test how citizens respond to crises and competing external “relief packages” from China, the EU, Russia and Turkey. What do early findings reveal? What does “trust” really look like in a hybrid regime? How can the EU design programmes that people actually feel, rather than reforms they never see? And what should Brussels learn about democracy promotion to avoid repeating past mistakes?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• One year after Assad: Syria’s struggle for security, recovery and reform 04.12.2025 15мин

  Ellie Geranmayeh speaks with Syrian minister Hind Kabawat about the country’s turbulent first year after Assad, the challenges ahead, and her push to bring more women into leadership during Syria’s reconstruction.In the latest episode of the WOMENP podcast series, Ellie Geranmayeh welcomes Hind Kabawat, Syria’s minister of social affairs and labour. Almost a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the new government faces both transformational opportunities and serious challenges. Syria’s once-notorious political prisons have been shut down, a preliminary national dialogue has begun, elections have been held, and the country has secured unprecedented sanctions relief. Yet major setbacks remain: the economy is under severe strain, and violent clashes have erupted between armed groups and government forces, as well as with Israel.In this episode, we discuss where Syria stands after the turbulent events of the past year. What are the country’s most urgent priorities for achieving meaningful stability? How are regional and global powers shaping Syria’s immediate future, and what does the new government expect from Europe? As the only female minister in the current cabinet, Kabawat also reflects on her drive to bring more women into positions of power as Syria rebuilds.Listen to all past episodes of the WOMENP series here: WOMENP special websiteBookshelf:The Enemy Syrians by Fawaz HaddadMa' Yarweeha (No Water to quench their Thirst), by Najat Abdul Samad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The diplomatic minefield: What now for Ukraine? 27.11.2025 43мин

  Donald Trump’s controversial 28-point plan to end the war in Ukraine has rattled Western capitals and could jeopardise Ukraine’s sovereignty. In this episode of Ukraine inside out, Leo Litra and Lesia Ogryzko are joined by Eric Ciaramella, senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Jana Kobzova, co-director of ECFR’s European Security programme, to discuss the development and its implications.What are the potential consequences of the proposed plan, and do Ukraine and Europe still hold any leverage? What are the risks of considering European security as a mere transactional deal? And how might credible security guarantees for Ukraine look like if NATO membership is off the table?Tune in for an insightful conversation that uncovers the intricate balance of power, explores potential avenues to prevent a bad deal, and explains what it all means for the future of Ukraine and Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The EU’s enlargement reality check 14.11.2025 36мин

  This week, The Neighbourhood shifts from the “why” of enlargement to the “how”—specifically, how reforms are unfolding on the ground and what drives progress or stagnation. The 2025 Enlargement Package presents a mixed picture: Ukraine and Moldova are racing ahead, while Serbia and Georgia are lagging. The EU itself is struggling with internal divisions and reform fatigue.Jessica is joined by Tiago Antunes, senior policy fellow with ECFR’s European Power programme, Leo Litra, visiting fellow at ECFR and senior fellow at Kyiv’s New Europe Center and Engjellushe Morina, senior policy fellow with ECFR’s European Security programme. Together, they discuss what this year’s enlargement report says about political will, institutional resilience and the everyday impact of enlargement.How can the EU make conditionality more credible? Are EU reforms changing behaviour in governments, institutions and people’s lives? And how can Brussels keep the reform energy alive?This episode was recorded on November 12th 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Lessons for Europe: Inside Ukraine’s drone war 01.10.2025 37мин

  Ukraine’s battlefield has transformed since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022: from hobby quadcopters to drone and robot units in almost every brigade. In this episode, Lesia Ogryzko and Leo Litra speak with Lyuba Shupovich, CEO and co-founder of Dignitas Fund, and Gustav Gressel, a former ECFR senior policy fellow. Together, they discuss how technology, like drone and electronic warfare, is redefining military tactics—and what Europe can learn, having faced several Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace.What would a multi-layered, cost-effective air defence against drones look like? How quickly can Ukraine train NATO countries? And how can both Europe and Ukraine fix their financing gaps to reduce their dependency on Chinese components?This episode was recorded on September 24th 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The European pillar of security 17.07.2025 46мин

  This week, Leo Litra and Lesia Ogryzko welcome Élie Tenenbaum, director of the Security Studies Center at the French Institute for International Relations, and Oleksandr Sushko, executive director of the International Renaissance Foundation in Kyiv and long-time observer of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration, to explore if—and what—the recent NATO summit delivered for Ukraine. The gathering in The Hague reignited debates about the alliance’s future—and whether its European pillar is finally stepping into a leadership role. And, with Ukraine’s full NATO membership still out of reach, the country continues to seek strong security guarantees and deeper integration with Western defence structures.Can a “coalition of the willing” can fill the gap? How can Kyiv position itself in a rapidly evolving transatlantic landscape? And what does Europe assuming more responsibility for its own security mean for Ukraine?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Ukrainian society in wartime 23.06.2025 45мин

  Amid much speculation surrounding Ukraine’s future—including ceasefires, peace talks and broader geopolitical shifts—ECFR has launched a new podcast mini-series that brings Ukrainian perspectives to the forefront.  In this opening episode, hosts  and Lesia Ogryzkowelcome Fredrik Wesslau, distinguished policy fellow at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies, and Volodymyr Yermolenko, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld and president of PEN Ukraine, to explore the roots and evolution of Ukraine’s remarkable societal resilience. Together, they unpack how Ukrainian society has adapted, how global developments—from the return of Dondald Trump to attempts at peace talks—are perceived on the ground, and what the rest of Europe can learn from Ukraine’s experience. How did Ukraine remain so strong in the face of a full-scale invasion? What enabled Ukraine’s whole-of-society resistance? And what sustains Ukraine, over three years on? This episode was recorded on June 20th 2025  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Regional response: How Gulf monarchies leveraged Trump’s visit 21.05.2025 36мин

  In the latest episode of the WOMENP podcast series, Ellie Geranmayeh welcomes Dina Esfandiary, Middle East geoeconomics lead at Bloomberg; Yasmine Farouk, Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project director at International Crisis Group; and Dania Thafer, executive director at the Gulf International Forum. Together, they discuss how Arab Gulf monarchies used Trump’s latest visit to demonstrate their regional leverage—for example, Saudi Arabia leader Mohammad bin Salman emerged as a clear mover and shaker in brokering a historic meeting on Syria.But did Saudi Arabia also make gains on the Palestine-Israel conflict? What are Qatar’s expectations as regional mediator on both the Gaza conflict and the Iran file? And how are Arab Gulf monarchies seeking to influence Trump on his deal-making attempts with Iran? Listen to all past episodes of the WOMENP series here: WOMENP special website BookshelfDesert Kingdoms to Global Powers New Order in the Gulf: The Rise of the UAEAtlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial IntelligenceOur Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab WorldLove Stories on Al-Asha Street Pieces in motion: Rebalancing power in a new Levantine order Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Saudi Arabia and Trump: What's next for the Middle East 19.11.2024 36мин

  In this episode of the WOMENP podcast series, ECFR’s Ellie Geranmayeh speaks with Dr. Manal Radwan, advisor to the Saudi foreign minister and long serving diplomat. Together they unpack the impact of Donald Trump’s election for the wars in the Middle East and considers how Riyadh will position itself. Will the kingdom be able to push for a ceasefire in Gaza? What's the end game in Lebanon? Can the normalisation track between Saudi Arabia and Iran continue under Trump? And what are Riyadh's priorities for its bilateral security partnership with the US? Radwan also shares her reflections on her decades of engagement with peace negotiations in the region. Bookshelf Radwa Ashour Grenada TrilogyMornings in Jenin The book smuggler Ibn Arabi Small Death  WOMENP special website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• In:Sight China with Yan Xuetong  15.10.2024 35мин

  China is becoming ever more important to global affairs. But political and geopolitical challenges, as well as the covid-19 pandemic, have diminished Europeans’ ability to engage with Chinese thinkers and understand their views and ideas about the world. In this mini-series, Mark Leonard, Janka Oertel, and Alicja Bachulska try to change that by engaging in conversations with some of the best Chinese academics, researchers, writers, and journalists on the topics in Chinese internal debates that matter most to Europeans.  --   In this episode we are joined by Yan Xuetong, director of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University and one of the world’s most renowned scholars on realism in international relations, to discuss the trajectory of the international order and China’s response to it. What do Chinese leaders mean when they talk about “great changes unseen in a century”? How might China respond to the US strategy of “small yard, high fence”? And what is the role of populism in the emerging global order?  The Essence of Interstate Leadership: Debating Moral Realism edited by Yan Xuetong and Fang Yuanyuan Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers by Yan Xuetong   This podcast was recorded on 16 April 2024.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Africa: Not just about migration 11.06.2024 37мин

  Europe’s Africa policy was greatly affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, especially as energy and food supply became weaponised as a Russian tool of aggression. In response, stronger bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation is needed between African organisations and countries and Western actors. Both parties should continue to accelerate existing objectives, like the 2030 Agenda, debt, sustainable development, health security, energy independence, political instability, and democracy and human rights. All these priorities, if well implemented through the G7 mandate, could also help Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni to finally succeed in tackling migration through a multilateral approach rather than a purely domestic one.  In this episode, Elisabeth Sidiropoulos, chief executive of the South African Institute for International Affairs, and Maddalena Procopio, senior policy fellow at ECFR’s Africa programme, discuss how Meloni could advance her policy ideas on Africa through the G7 presidency.This podcast was recorded on 30 May 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Infrastructures and connectivity: Building bridges 11.06.2024 31мин

  xThe green transition requires massive investments in energy, digital, and transport connectivity to fill the gap in developing countries. At the same time, infrastructure projects are becoming weaponised by rival powers seeking to extend their influence abroad through the construction of railways, undersea cables, or renewable energy plants. China has been the pioneer in this effort, through its massive investment plan, the Belt and Road Initiative. The G7, conscious of the necessity to answer China’s infrastructural offensive and to mend ties with the global south, has launched the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investments. Italy, as G7 president, aims to be a bridge builder – literally and metaphorically – and is developing routes alternative to those sponsored by China. In this episode, Alberto Rizzi, policy fellow at ECFR and author of the recent report on the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, and Mohammed Soliman, director of the strategic technologies and cyber security programme at the Middle East Institute, discuss the importance of infrastructures and connectivity in the current fragmented global order.This podcast was recorded on 16 May 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.