Short interviews and comments by our experts and others on breaking news and key topics from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) - the first pan-European think-tank. Launched in October 2007, our objective is to conduct research and promote informed debate across Europe on the development of coherent and effective European values-based foreign policy.Listen also to Mark Leonard's The World in 30 Minutes, our weekly series in which we explore the big issues in foreign policy:…
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Serbia is in the middle of its largest protest movement in decades. What began in 2024 with the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy has grown into a much deeper crisis of trust—one in which citizens are mobilising in huge numbers while confidence in political parties and state institutions continues to collapse. In this episode, Jessica Hendrick welcomes Igor Bandović , director…
In the latest episode of ECFR’s WOMENP podcast, Ellie Geranmayeh is joined by three leading Lebanese voices— Alia Moubayed , senior economist; Randa Slim , Middle East Programme director at the Stimson Center; and Maha Yahya , director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut—to unpack the consequences of a trilateral framework deal signed by Israel, the US and Lebanon. Lebanon is among the…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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. In this episode, Jessica Hendrick speaks with Dumitru Alaiba , Moldova’s former deputy prime minister and minister of economic development and digitalisation; and Maia Machavariani…
Eastern Europe’s future is up for grabs. Ukraine is fighting for survival—and for a place in the EU. Georgia’s protest movement faces intensifying government crackdowns, and Moldova continues to fend off relentless Russian interference. Meanwhile, energy shocks linked to the Iran conflict and Hungary’s repeated blockades inside the EU are making the region’s future even harder to predict. In this…
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…
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…
