488 episodes

Weekly podcast on the events, policies and ideas that will shape the world.World in 30 minutes is curated by Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and features top-level speakers from across the EU and beyond to debate and discuss Europe’s role in the world. It was awarded “Best podcasts on EU politics” by PolicyLab in 2019.Member of the EuroPod network.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes ECFR

    • News
    • 4.6 • 87 Ratings

Weekly podcast on the events, policies and ideas that will shape the world.World in 30 minutes is curated by Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and features top-level speakers from across the EU and beyond to debate and discuss Europe’s role in the world. It was awarded “Best podcasts on EU politics” by PolicyLab in 2019.Member of the EuroPod network.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    De-risking and its impact on the global economy

    De-risking and its impact on the global economy

    A few years ago decoupling was all the rage, but Western economies are now moving towards de-risking as they strive to reduce their economic reliance on China. A United States keen to preserve its technological superiority leads the way – and aims to bring its allies along for the ride.
     
    In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR senior policy fellow, Agathe Demarais, and senior director at risk advisory firm Global Counsel, Stephen Adams, to discuss de-risking and its impact on European countries and the global economy. Where did the phrase originate? What does de-risking mean in practice? And what does an economic landscape conditioned by de-risking look like?
     
    Bookshelf:
    Underground Empire, by Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman
    State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974, by Dominic Sandbrook


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

    • 36 min
    The future of the war in Gaza

    The future of the war in Gaza

    The death toll in Gaza now exceeds 30,000. Five months into the war, much of the sympathy the international community had for Israel following the 7 October attacks has evaporated amid such violence and destruction.
    In this week’s episode, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Hugh Lovatt, director of ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme Julien Barnes-Dacey, and research director and director of ECFR’s new US programme Jeremy Shapiro. Together, they discuss the current situation in Gaza and how the war could create the opportunity for a “grand bargain” which could unblock the previously stuck status quo and solve the decades-long Arab-Israeli conflict. How likely is it that there will be a ceasefire in time for Ramadan? How are US and European governments responding to the war? And what are the odds that we could end up with a grand bargain that results in a two-state solution?
    This episode was recorded on 7 March 2024.
    Bookshelf:
    The Gaza Crisis: Mapping the Middle East's Shifting Battle Lines by Hugh Lovatt, Julien Barnes-Dacey and Cinzia Bianco
    The Secret World: A History of Intelligence by Christopher Andrew
    Crash Landing on You – a tvN television series
    The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
    Gaza: A History by Jean-Pierre Filiu

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

    • 37 min
    Ukraine’s future in NATO

    Ukraine’s future in NATO

    The conflict in Ukraine has crystallised into a war of attrition. As military losses pile up on both sides, Russia could take advantage of this year’s electoral uncertainty in the West to strike a settlement deal on its terms. To ensure a durable peace, Europeans must make clear what red lines Moscow is not allowed to cross. And the history of the cold war may provide Europeans with some valuable lessons on how to do that.
    In this episode, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR’s board member Ivan Krastev, who is the chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and a permanent fellow at Vienna’s Institute for Human Sciences. Together they discuss how NATO accession could strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position vis-à-vis Russia and if it could enforce the West’s red lines in Ukraine in the same way as it did in West Germany almost 70 years ago. How should the West approach negotiations with Moscow? What is the de-escalation potential of Ukraine’s NATO membership? How can Europeans ensure a durable peace on the continent?
    This podcast was recorded on 23 February 2024.
    Bookshelf:
    How Civil Wars Start by Barbara F. Walter

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

    • 24 min
    Two long years of war in Ukraine

    Two long years of war in Ukraine

    Tomorrow the war in Ukraine will enter its third year. Kyiv’s counteroffensive has proved much less successful than the Ukrainian government had hoped. And as Western support threatens to dry up, Ukraine’s setbacks are mounting. Last weekend, while speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was forced to admit that the town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region had fallen to the Russians, which he blamed on a lack of ammunition and, by implication, on a lack of Western support.
    In this episode, Mark Leonard welcomes senior policy fellow Gustav Gressel and ECFR’s research director Jeremy Shapiro, who also heads our new US programme, to understand which factors will determine the course of the war in the coming year. Who does the current status quo most benefit? Could Ukraine’s recent setbacks and Navalny’s death encourage more Western support for Kyiv? And what impact will elections in Europe and the US have?
    This podcast was recorded on 21 February 2024.
    Bookshelf:
    The Secret World: A History of Intelligence by Christopher Andrew
    Wars and elections: How European leaders can maintain public support for Ukraine by Mark Leonard and Ivan Krastev

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

    • 36 min
    How Europe can prepare for America’s withdrawal

    How Europe can prepare for America’s withdrawal

    In the past weeks, Donald Trump caused alarm bells to go off in the European capitals, stating that he would “encourage” Russia to punish his European NATO allies that do not reach the spending requirements, were he elected US president for the second time. Shortly after, Estonian intelligence revealed Russia has plans to beef up its military presence near Finland and the Baltic states.
    In this episode, recorded live from the Munich Security Conference, Mark Leonard welcomes ECFR board member Arancha González Laya, former Spanish foreign minister and current dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, along with distinguished policy fellow Camille Grand, who leads ECFR’s brand new defence initiative. Together, they discuss how Europeans can prepare for a second Trump presidency. What dangers does a second Trump term hold for Europe? How should it respond if Trump abandons Ukraine on his first day in office? What consequences will America’s gradual disengagement have for Europe’s role in the world?
    This podcast was recorded during the Munich Security Conference (16-18 February 2024)
    Bookshelf:
    The Divider, Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
    Les Aveuglés, comment Berlin et Paris ont laissé la voie libre à la Russie by Sylvie Kauffmann
    Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity by Sander van der Linden


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

    • 37 min
    A life in the American century

    A life in the American century

    With the United States’ presidential election just a few months away, the stakes go far beyond domestic politics. The results will decide the future of American foreign policy, at least for the next four years. In the corridors of power in Washington, US policymakers will need to adapt to a new leadership and navigate the complexities of today’s international system accordingly.
    In this episode, Mark Leonard welcomes political scientist Joseph Nye, who served as the former assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs and chair of the national intelligence council during Bill Clinton’s first presidency. He is also the former Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and co-founder to the international relations theory of neoliberalism. Together, they discuss Nye’s new book “A Life in the American Century”. Are there similarities between today’s great power competition and the days of the cold war? Should we be optimistic about America’s (and by extension, the West’s) long-term prospects? Where is China headed?
    This podcast was recorded on 7 February 2024.
    Bookshelf:
    A Life in the American Century | Joseph Nye
    Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology | Chris Miller
    Overreach: How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise | Susan L. Shirk

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

    • 37 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
87 Ratings

87 Ratings

enelsonpa ,

What Europe can expect from the next US president

This episode introduces the new ECFR US country team, which is focused on US foreign affairs developments relative to Europe and NATO interests. The commentary is excellent since the ECFR team stays pragmatic; for instance, reviewing if a Trump presidency were to occur, what would this mean for Europe and NATO? Trans-Atlantic supporters want to be prepared for this Plan B contingency.

AllspfdheSgeheQqww ,

Great content, needs better audio

This podcast has tons of thoughtful conversations and has helped broaden my perspective on global issues.

5 stars for content quality, but 4 stars for audio quality. Conversations can be hard to hear at times.

1000wayne ,

Climate & Geo

Interviewee’s knowledge & approach were refreshing & direct

Top Podcasts In News

The Daily
The New York Times
Up First
NPR
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Daily Wire
Morning Wire
The Daily Wire
Pod Save America
Crooked Media
The Dan Bongino Show
Cumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino

You Might Also Like

EU Confidential
POLITICO Europe
The Rachman Review
Financial Times
Brussels Sprouts
Center for a New American Security | CNAS
The Foreign Affairs Interview
Foreign Affairs Magazine
Foreign Policy Live
Foreign Policy
Power Play
POLITICO