World Review with Ivo Daalder

Ivo Daalder
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Global events move fast—World Review helps you keep up. Each Friday, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder brings together leading journalists and experts to break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next. A Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs podcast from Harvard Kennedy School. ivodaalder.substack.com

  1. 1D AGO

    Justice in Syria, the UAE Saudi Break-up, and Tensions Across the Atlantic

    Key Topics   The emergence of war crimes trials in Syria and their impact on societal reconciliation The break between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over oil production and regional influence The decline of US-European relations amid troop withdrawals, trade disputes, and strategic disagreements The instability in Lebanon and the implications for Israeli and Lebanese relations The evolving nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics, including Iran's regional posture and Israel's security The influence of U.S. policy decisions, including Syria’s oil pipelines and the Iran nuclear negotiations Links Deborah Amos - journalism.princeton.edu/people/deborah-amos-2018 Steven Erlanger - nytimes.com/by/steven-erlanger Felicia Schwartz - politico.com/staff/felicia-schwartz Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs —  belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder —  belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder

    54 min

  2. MAY 1

    Iran War Stalemate. The King Takes Washington. Germany Rearms.

    The Iran War stalemate and dual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the mounting pressure on both sides to reach a deal Iran's hardliners consolidating power and the growing likelihood the regime pursues nuclear weapons as a deterrent King Charles III's address to a joint session of Congress and its surprising ability to unite a deeply divided chamber The diplomatic lesson of royalty and why pomp and circumstance may be more effective than elected leaders in dealing with Trump Germany's unprecedented defense spending surge and what it means for NATO, European autonomy, and the transatlantic relationship Trump's threats to withdraw US troops from Germany, Italy, and Spain, and whether they signal policy or political posturing The economic toll of the Iran War on European publics, with inflation rising and governments increasingly vulnerable to far-right challengers Europe's fundamental challenge of broad agreement on what needs to be done, paired with near-total failure to agree on how to do it The AFD surpassing Merz's CDU in German polls for the first time, signaling deepening public discontent The limits of strategic autonomy and why Germany's reliance on American nuclear guarantees and weapons systems keeps it tethered to NATO and Washington

    53 min

  3. APR 24

    Iran War Ceasefire, Lebanon & Israel Talks, Ukraine’s New Vibe

    The evolving ceasefire and military dynamics in Ukraine, including the Western response and Ukraine's increasing technological resilience Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire extension, Hezbollah's role, and opportunities for strengthening Lebanese sovereignty Iran’s nuclear ambitions, domestic fractures, and the prospects for a diplomatic resolution amid US-Iran tensions The impact of US foreign policy, regional alliances, and the importance of strategic patience and expertise Ukraine’s military remains strong, with signs of a shift in the battlefield, including increasing drone attacks deep inside Russia Europe is rethinking its security posture, increasingly looking towards Ukraine’s resilience and local defense capabilities Lebanon’s internal political landscape offers a window for US and European allies to support state-building and disarmament efforts Iran faces multiple asymmetries—geographical, military, and trust-related—that complicate negotiations and potential agreements US influence in the Middle East is waning, highlighting the need for regional actors to diversify alliances and strengthen capabilitiesThe Iran ceasefire and US naval blockade: what's holding and what isn't

    54 min

  4. APR 17

    Iran: Blockade or Negotiate, Hungary Earthquake, President vs. Pope

    Key Topics The Iran ceasefire and US naval blockade: what's holding and what isn't US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan: prospects for a deal and the limits of unilateral diplomacy Europe's divided response: the Paris talks between Macron and Starmer and the question of inserting Europeans into the negotiations The Strait of Hormuz as Iran's ultimate leverage — and what "open" really means for trapped mariners Viktor Orbán's stunning defeat in Hungary: the economy, corruption, and the cohesion funds that sealed his fate Peter Magyar and TISA: how new is Hungary's new direction, and what does it mean for the EU and Ukraine? Orbán's fall as a setback for Putin, Trump, and the global far-right populist network Trump's feud with Pope Leo XIV: the politics of attacking the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics Hispanic and Catholic voters: the political costs of the President vs. Pope standoff The limits of populism: from Budapest to Washington, is the far right losing its popular touch? Links Christina Ruffini — https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AX7AZxLijDQ/christina-ruffini Karin Axelsson — https://politiken.dk/person/7961_Karin_Axelsson Jamie Dettmer — politico.eu/author/jamie-dettmer Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder

    53 min

  5. APR 9

    Iran War Fragile Ceasefire, Strategic Mistakes, NATO Lives Another Day

    Key Topics The fragile Iran ceasefire: achievements and uncertainties US presidential objectives and their evolution during the Iran conflict NATO's membership challenges amid US skepticism and strategic disagreements The influence of domestic politics on international alliances The strategic implications of the Strait of Hormuz closure The future of transatlantic relations and alliance cohesion Pakistan’s mediating role and regional power shifts The impact of US military actions on Middle Eastern geopolitics Broader implications for global stability post-Ukraine and Afghanistan   Links David Luhnow - wsj.com/news/author/david-luhnow Michael Birnbaum - washingtonpost.com/people/michael-birnbaum Catherine Philp - thetimes.com/profile/catherine-philp Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - belfercenter.org/ World Review with Ivo Daalder - belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder

    52 min

  6. APR 3

    Trump's Speech Leaves Many Questions, Impact of the Strait's Closure, Israel's Security Strategy

    Key Topics The real implications of the Strait of Hormuz closing—how it’s causing energy shocks, economic disruptions, and geopolitical shifts. Why Israel’s military campaign, despite overwhelming strength, might be eroding its long-term security stability. The calculus shaping Gulf leaders’ fears and hopes amid rising regional tensions. Inside the secret strategies and political dilemmas that threaten to turn localized conflicts into larger regional or even global crises. Hosted by Harvard’s Belfer Center, this episode offers powerful insights into international security, regional politics, and the broader implications for global stability.   Links Bobby Ghosh - bobbyghosh.substack.com Gideon Rachman - ft.com/gideon-rachman Isabel Coles - observer.co.uk/contributor/isabel-coles Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - belfercenter.org/ World Review with Ivo Daalder - belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder

    49 min

  7. MAR 27

    Iran: Diplomacy or escalation? The big rift in NATO. Europe's fragmented politics.

    Key Topics President Trump's claims of Iran begging for a deal and the US military's posture in the Gulf The rift between the US and Europe, NATO's limited involvement, and European responses The impact of recent European elections on future political directions The emerging global payment systems bypassing traditional US sanctions The broader implications of US and European foreign policy strategies Links Edward Luce - ft.com/edward-luce Peter Speigel - https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/peter-spiegel/ Stefanie Bolzen - welt.de/autor/stefanie-bolzen/ Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - belfercenter.org/ World Review with Ivo Daalder - belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder

    54 min

  8. MAR 20

    Iran War Escalation?, Trump's China Summit Off, Is Cuba Next?

    Key Topics The escalation of the Iran war entering its fourth week, with detailed analysis of Iran’s military capabilities, sanctions, and the potential for reopening the Strait of Hormuz The impact of the Iran conflict on US-China relations, including the fate of the planned US summit with Xi Jinping and China's strategic positioning amid military pressures The US approach to Cuba, including the potential for regime change, economic sanctions, and the long-term implications of current US policies The role of Middle Eastern Gulf states in the conflict, their vulnerabilities, and their shifting alliances with the US and Israel The broader geopolitical landscape, including the exhaustion of military resources and the strategic calculations of adversaries like Russia and China Links Karen DeYoung - washingtonpost.com/people/karen-deyoung Robbie Gramer - wsj.com/news/author/robbie-gramer Yaroslav Trofimov - wsj.com/news/author/yaroslav-trofimov Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - belfercenter.org/ World Review with Ivo Daalder - belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Global events move fast—World Review helps you keep up. Each Friday, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder brings together leading journalists and experts to break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next. A Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs podcast from Harvard Kennedy School. ivodaalder.substack.com

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