Brussels Playbook Podcast
POLITICO’s daily audio briefing on what’s moving Brussels — and why it matters. The Brussels Playbook Podcast is the audio extension of the Brussels Playbook newsletter. Hosted by POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Zoya Sheftalovich, the podcast runs Monday through Thursday, offering a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. Each episode takes listeners inside the decisions, power shifts and debates shaping the day in Brussels — and explains how they connect to national capitals across Europe. On Fridays, the same feed features a longer episode that goes deeper into the week’s biggest themes.
Afleveringen
Merz’s election nightmare continues
Two state elections pile more pressure on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — raising fresh questions about his leadership and what a weaker Germany could mean for the rest of Europe.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur also look at the growing fear over Russian hybrid attacks, as EU foreign ministers meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss how Europe sh
Week Ender: Can Europe patch up the world in disorder?
The old global order is breaking down. Ursula von der Leyen thinks Europe may have to start building something new around it.
In her State of the European Union speech, she floated closer ties with Canada — even “associate membership” — and a new European Security Council, as Europe looks for new ways to work with like-minded powers in an increasingly chaotic world. But both ideas immediately rai
Von der Leyen makes it awkward with Canada
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney takes the stage in Strasbourg after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised EU capitals by floating “associate membership” for Canada — a status that doesn’t actually exist, and that Ottawa itself seems reluctant to define.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton ask whether von der Leyen got ahead of both member countries and the Canadians, and what Ca
Special episode: State of the EU 2026 — promises vs reality
In this special episode from Strasbourg, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart give their first take on the State of the European Union speech delivered by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They look at the push for a more independent Europe — from competitiveness to AI, climate, defense and Ukraine — as well as the ideas that could shape what comes next, including a European Security Council
AI fears grow as von der Leyen takes the stage
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is giving her State of the European Union address this morning ... her biggest set-piece speech of the year.
Host Zoya Sheftalovich is at the European Parliament in Strasbourg with her ears to the ground, trying to figure out which hot-button issues we can expect to hear about.
Two of the biggest topics we’re almost sure she is going to talk about
Can less paperwork get EU workers moving?
Why is it easier for a jar of peanut butter to cross EU borders than it is for a European worker?
According to the Commission, varying social security systems and professional qualifications make it hard for Europeans to work outside their home country in the bloc. The EU executive’s Fair Labour Mobility Package — unveiled today — aims to fix that. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vino
The EU’s plan for ‘weaponized’ migration
When Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives her big State of the European Union speech on Wednesday, the topic of migration is likely to feature heavily.
On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur discuss the EU executive’s proposed new tool to counter “weaponized” migration — like we saw in Ceuta this summer. Plus, what do the results of the Swedish general election mean for th
Is Europe winning the ‘fight’? Von der Leyen’s SOTEU, one year on
When Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the European Union speech last year, the backdrop was chaotic.
Russian drones had just crossed into Polish airspace, Donald Trump was casting doubt on America’s commitment to NATO, and the Commission president herself was facing votes of no confidence. Her answer to this disarray? Europe, she said, was in a fight — and this was
Behind Trump's push to break the International Criminal Court
The U.S. is on a public campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court. Now, it wants help from its NATO allies.
During a closed-door meeting back in July, U.S. envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker asked allied countries for help in disassembling the international court that addresses genocide and crimes against humanity. On the show, Sarah Wheaton and Kathryn Carlson
The EU’s Israel dilemma
Relations between the EU and Israel have been deeply strained over the war in Gaza. But the bloc is struggling to withstand the allure of Israel’s tech and missile defense prowess.
On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss how EU capitals are looking again to Israel for cooperation on things like air defense, space and artificial intelligence. Our hosts explain why
Kaja Kallas takes another hit
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, wanted a group of heavyweight former leaders to come up with fresh ideas to address Europe’s defense gaps. Instead, the initiative was killed before it even launched. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at why some capitals pushed back — and what the episode says about Kallas’ authority and the battle over who drives European defense policy.
Then, European C
Germany's far-right bombshell
After a sweeping victory in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund's Alternative for Germany (AfD) could be in a position to govern the state — putting a far-right party in power in part of Germany for the first time since World War II.
As Europe wakes up to the AfD win, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur talk to Head of Playbook Germany Hans von der Burchard about what it
What do Spain's migrant crisis and Germany's knife-edge election mean for Europe?
The Spanish exclave of Ceuta on the North African coast is struggling to deal with a surge of unauthorized migrants. Over 70,000 arrived in a mass crossing from Morocco at the end of July, and although the numbers have fallen since then, police and the authorities are struggling with outbreaks of violence and criminality. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has faced protests in cities across the
Dublin tests Europe's budget red lines
At the informal General Affairs Council in Dublin today, the EU’s next 7-year budget is set to dominate the agenda.
The talks are still in deadlock over the size of the money pot ... but the red lines of various capitals are starting to take shape. On today’s episode, host Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart explain why — counterintuitively — that’s actually a step forward for the negotiations.
Ne
The plan to shut out Europe's far right
The political center in the European Parliament is looking increasingly fragile. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at a proposal from two senior German MEPs for the center-right EPP and the Social Democrats to strike a much more formal deal — as relations between the two groups deteriorate and the far right gains influence.
Then: Europe says it needs giant data centers if it wants to compete
Europe gears up for its China counterpunch
Brussels is getting increasingly worried about its economic relationship with Beijing ... but the bloc doesn’t want to bring out the big guns just yet.
While the EU already has the infamous 'trade bazooka' at its disposal, the Commission is considering a new tool to address Chinese overcapacity and dangerous dependencies. Our colleague Camille Gijs has spoken with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefč
What Iceland's 'no' means for the EU
Iceland has voted no to restarting membership talks with the EU in a referendum held over the weekend.
While the yes camp had hoped rising global geopolitical tensions might sway voters, the fear of losing control over Icelandic fishing quotas proved decisive. So what does this result mean for the EU’s enlargement ambitions? Nick and Zoya discuss.
Next, defense and foreign m
Could Orbán lead Hungary again?
For 16 years, Viktor Orbán exerted an iron grip on Hungarian politics and society. Now it’s being dismantled. Has Hungary finally turned a page on the Orbán era, or could he make one final return?
It’s only a few days before Péter Magyar’s government, which succeeded Orbán, learns whether his anti-corruption reforms have done enough to persuade the European Commission to release €10.4
Can Canada teach Europe how to stand up to Trump?
Canada is taking a much harder line against Donald Trump — and Brussels is watching closely. As the U.S.-Canada trade war escalates, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson look at Mark Carney’s gamble, his call for the world’s “middle powers” to band together, and whether Europe is ready to follow his lead or would rather keep Washington onside.
Then, France’s 2027 presidential race gets its first
France and Germany collide over Europe’s industrial future
France and Germany are clashing over how far the EU should go to protect European industry — with Paris pushing stronger “Made in Europe” rules and Berlin warning against provoking new trade fights.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at what that battle says about Europe’s struggle to go green, stay competitive and keep its markets open at the same time.
Then, Brussels is rattled by another
Costa tours the capitals — while Merz rallies the penny-pinchers
António Costa is kicking off a tour of EU capitals to find out what leaders want from the bloc’s next seven-year budget — and what they might accept in return for a deal. His first stop is Bratislava, with Slovakia among the countries pushing to protect cohesion and agricultural funding. Later this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will gather like-minded northern countries in Berlin to argue
What Ukraine needs to survive another winter
We’re back! And so are Ukraine’s key backers. On the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, leaders meet in Kyiv this Monday to discuss new pledges of support for the country.
On the podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Nick Vinocur discuss what support Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is looking to secure from the Coalition of t
Week Ender archives: Is China the ‘abusive’ partner the EU just can’t quit?
The Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast is still away on holiday — but don’t worry, we will be back next week.
In the meantime, here’s an episode from earlier this year about Europe’s attempts to protect its industry from Chinese products flooding the continent.
In this conversation, which was first released in May, host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Sander Tordoir from the
Week Ender archives: Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
This week and next, the Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast is away for the summer holiday.
So, we thought we’d re-up this popular installment on Europe’s quest to become independent from U.S. tech.
In this episode first released in June, Sarah Wheaton is joined by "The Tech Coup" author and former Member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake and POLITICO’s Laurens C
Week Ender: Verhofstadt on "Trumpism", plus summer must-reads
It’s August in Brussels, which means it’s vacation time.
Whether you’re heading off to the beach or holding down the fort in town, this episode is brimming with book recommendations from our newsroom and from you, our listeners. Whatever your genre preference, from true crime thrillers to deep political dives, we've got your summer holiday covered.
But this installment is not just a book chat
Why are Commission staffers so miserable?
Working at the European Commission is one of the most coveted civil service jobs in Brussels. Yet, officials employed there describe high pressure, bureaucracy and burnout.
Our colleague Seb Starcevic has interviewed dozen officials from different commissioners’ cabinets and directorates-general, varying in age, nationality and seniority. On the podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton parse
Europe's Palantir problem
Europe wants to kick its U.S. tech habit, but it’s struggling to detangle itself from American data analytics firm Palantir.
The problem is, the company's tools are already deeply embedded in critical sectors across the bloc like policing, national defense and health systems. A report released today also shows that the tech firm has found ways to pay minimal taxes in Eur
Can Europe contain the Ceuta fallout?
Home affairs ministers are meeting this morning as the fallout of the Ceuta crisis continues to roil Europe.
Last week’s sudden influx of migrants into the Spanish exclave — most of whom have since returned — sparked heated exchanges between European leaders. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart preview whether today’s emergency meeting can cool tensions, and what measures th
Ceuta triggers two days of EU emergency talks
The crisis in the Spanish territory of Ceuta is adding fuel to Europe’s bitter debate over migration.
Following the arrival of more than 50,000 migrants in Ceuta in northern Africa last week, EU leaders ganged up on Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez over his migration policies. Although 48,300 migrants had returned to Morocco by late Friday, the backlash is ongoing. On Tuesday the EU is set
Week Ender — Searing Contradiction: Wildfires and climate politics
Wildfires may sound remote — something that happens deep in a forest or on an empty mountainside. But in Europe, there’s often very little distance between nature and major population centers. That’s why the fires near Bordeaux and Madrid have been so frightening: they’re not burning somewhere far away, but threatening homes, businesses and entire urban regions.
European countries are responding
The race to save von der Leyen’s big speech
Brussels may have entered summer mode, but one of the first big political moments everyone will be watching when they return to work is Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address in September. And officials still at their desks are scrambling to make sure the she has something to say.
Hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss some of the policy areas von d
The spectacular split in Poland’s right
Poland’s once-dominant Law and Justice party has split, with former PM Mateusz Morawiecki breaking with longtime leader Jarosław Kaczyński and preparing to build a rival force on the right. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart examine whether the rupture offers current PM Donald Tusk a lifeline ahead of the 2027 election — and what it means in Brussels, where Morawiecki leads the European Conservativ
Can Europe fight fires this big?
Wildfires raging across France and Spain have forced more than 300,000 people from their homes and stretched national firefighting services to their limits. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at how the EU is helping through its Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU emergency reserve — and why Brussels says that even dozens more firefighting planes would not be enough without much greater inve
Trump reopens the tariff fight
Icelanders begin voting on whether to restart accession talks with the European Union, reopening a debate shaped by security fears, economic uncertainty and the question of who controls the country’s fishing waters.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson also examine Donald Trump’s threat of new tariffs after the EU fined Google €890 million, and what that could mean for the fragile Turnberry trad
Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?
He’s the seventh British prime minister to walk through the famous black door of Number 10 Downing Street since the Brexit vote 10 years ago. Can Andy Burnham refresh relations with Europe and rescue a reset with Brussels that feels like it has been kicked into the long grass?
Host Anne McElvoy talks to two guests who know the knotty relationship
Brussels is coming for Google — and the bill could be huge
Google could be hit with the largest fine yet under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson explain why Brussels believes the tech giant is unfairly pushing its own services in Google Search and limiting what app developers can tell customers — and why the case is becoming another source of tension with Washington.
Then, the EU’s startups commissioner, Ekaterina Zahari
The EU’s Russia sanctions crunch
Today is a make-or-break moment for the EU’s 21st sanctions package targeting Russia.
After EU countries failed to agree on the ins and outs of the deal last week, ambassadors are meeting again today in Brussels to finally clinch the deal. But can they hash out the remaining thorny issues?
Next: European Parliament is trying to reengage with China after a seven-year diplomatic freeze. But d
Zoya and the crew answer your questions
July 21 is a national holiday in Belgium, so we decided to do things a bit differently on this long weekend.
We recently celebrated our 100th episode with a live recording in front of an audience. Those in the room were lucky enough also to see an exclusive Q&A with Zoya and all the hosts. We’re now bringing that segment to our wider audience.
In this episode we answer your questions on everyth
Week Ender: Did Europe dodge a summer travel crisis?
Europeans are traveling in huge numbers this summer — but the conflict in the Middle East, volatile fuel prices linked to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and a troubled new border system are making journeys more complicated.
Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO reporters Ben Munster, Tommaso Lecca and Jordyn Dahl to unpack how Europe avoided the jet fuel crisis that many had feared; whether fl
Parliament takes a break. The plotting begins.
The European Parliament’s 719 lawmakers are about to head off on their six-week summer break. But that doesn’t mean an end to the political headaches.
That’s because as soon as they return on Aug. 31, lawmakers will dive straight back into backroom negotiations ahead of Parliament’s big midterm reshuffle. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss the scheming already happeni
The border that vanished overnight
European allies are moving to help strengthen Ukraine as Kyiv ups the pressure in its war against Russia.
As a part of that push, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a group of EU leaders are making a surprise trip to Kyiv to push through a string of new defense initiatives. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss these packages set to be announced today.
Next: A
A 'Super Tuesday' for a bigger EU
Enlargement is high on the list of priorities for the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU ... and Dublin is not wasting any time.
On the sidelines of the EU’s General Affairs Council happening today, there will be four separate accession conferences: for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro — to formally mark progress in their membership bids. Ireland’s Europe Minister Thomas Byrne said
Why Europe still can’t agree on Israel
EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels as a growing group of countries push the European Commission to propose restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur explain why although the economic impact would be small, the legal and political stakes are far larger — and why critics accuse Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of dragging her feet.
Then,
Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
This week, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara — giving President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a powerful stage at a moment when Turkey’s strategic value to Europe is rising.
Sarah Wheaton speaks to Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, about Erdoğan’s moment at this week’s NATO summit, Turkey’s complicated relationship with Europe and the United States, and whether the EU ca
Brussels gives cows a promotion
Far-right National Rally’s Marine Le Pen has announced she’ll run in the 2027 French presidential election, following Tuesday's shock court ruling which cleared the way for her to do so. But what does that mean for Europe?
On Tuesday, a Paris appeals court upheld Le Pen’s guilty verdict but reduced the amount of time she’s banned from holding public office. That means she can run — but under hous
NATO’s boss says Trump was right
The European Union is in disagreement over whether the Commission should allow Serbia to progress in its membership process.
The issue will come to a head at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels today. While the Commission argues that dangling accession in front of prospective members is a useful geopolitical tool that can prevent countries from turning towards rival powers, some countries in
The verdict that could shake up French politics
Europe is on the edge of its seat as it awaits a crucial verdict in the case of France’s National Rally leader, Marine Le Pen, today.
If the Paris appeals court upholds her five-year ban on holding public office, Le Pen’s dream of running in 2027 will be dashed, and the campaign of her 30-year-old protégé, Jordan Bardella, will officially kick off.
Also on the show, NATO allies are meeting in An
The man behind the EU's Kremlin outreach
On today’s episode, we take a closer look at the busy life of António Costa’s right-hand man, Pedro Lourtie.
The European Council President’s head of cabinet was recently thrust into the limelight for opening backchannels with Moscow on his boss’s behalf. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur dig deeper into who this man is and how he does his job.
Also on the show: European Parliament President R
Bonus episode: Ernstfall — What if Russia attacks NATO?
Today, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode from our colleagues at WELT.
Originally released in German, Ernstfall is now available in English.
What if Russia attacked NATO? How would Germany respond? And where are our weaknesses?We wanted answers. In a wargame, we simulate an attack on NATO’s eastern flank. Politicians, former military officials, and experts take on the roles of the Ger
Can NATO allies avoid a clash with Trump in Ankara?
Despite all the backslapping and glad-handing, transatlantic tensions are never far from the surface at the annual gathering of NATO leaders. It’s unlikely to be any different when they gather in Ankara next week.
Sharp differences over burden-sharing and defense spending, and U.S. complaints about its allies’ lack of involvement in re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, are likely to come to the for
Has Ukraine found Russia’s weak spot?
Ukraine has a rare advantage over Russia … but only if its allies move fast enough to sustain it.
After months of attacks on refineries, fuel depots and supply routes, Kyiv has finally hit Russia where it hurts. Hour-long queues, empty pumps and rationing are affecting large parts of the country. The question now is whether it’s enough to actually threaten President Vladimir Putin.
Also on the s
Nobody touch the farm budget — our 100th episode, live from Brussels
We’re celebrating 100 episodes this summer! To mark this milestone, today’s show was recorded in front of a live audience with the full lineup of our rotating podcasts hosts.
Kicking us off, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart talk about the Irish presidency that starts today. They discuss how Dublin might tackle one of Europe’s most politically dangerous budget fights: the money allocated for farm
Europe’s awkward embrace of Turkey
Three very senior EU heavyweights are on the ground in Turkey today — just days before the NATO summit in Ankara.
When EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner meet Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, security, migration, and connectivity between Europe and Central Asia will be top priorities.
Next, the EU institutions’
Europe’s foreign policy turf war
The EU’s diplomatic service is losing power, people and influence to Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur look at how the EEAS is fighting for its future — and whether the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, can turn it around.
Plus, Europe tries to reset trade ties with China without backing away from tougher defenses, and Greece puts a bounty on poisonous pufferfi
Can Europe help repair the invisible scars of war?
After four and a half years of war, Ukraine’s physical destruction is easy to see. But the psychological damage caused by occupation, displacement and loss is much harder to measure — although just as urgent to repair.
David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and a former British foreign secretary, joins Sarah Wheaton after returning from southern Ukraine. He explai
Rebuilding Ukraine under the shadow of a presidential row
Ukraine’s allies are gathering in Gdańsk to talk about rebuilding the country — even as Russia continues to destroy homes, power stations and critical infrastructure.
Zoya Sheftalovich reports from the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where governments, banks and businesses are trying to turn political promises into real investment. She and Sarah Wheaton look at the money on the table, Poland’s hopes
Can Europe’s big five get their act together in Berlin?
Europe’s biggest military powers are meeting today.
The group of countries is called the E5 (not to be confused with the E3) and consists of France, Germany, the U.K., Italy and Poland. They’ll be preparing for the NATO summit next month and discussing support for Ukraine. Hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss what smaller meeting formats like this mean for the EU as a whole.
Also on t
The Visegrád Four is back from the dead
The leaders of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary are gathering for the first proper Visegrád Group summit in more than two years.
Meetings of these four countries have essentially been frozen since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine — in large part because of former PM Viktor Orbán. With the Hungarian leader’s ouster, the format is back, but can the group actually work together?
Pl
Why tensions are high between Poland and Ukraine
When Ireland takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, they will have a lot of hot-button issues to deal with.
Host Zoya Sheftalovich sat down last week with Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne at a POLITICO event to dig deeper into what he believes Dublin’s top priorities will be. We’ll hear from him on the show.
Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Z
Who should negotiate with Putin?
Brussels Playbook Week Ender host Sarah Wheaton is on the ground at the European Council summit, where divisions over European Council President António Costa's outreach to the Kremlin divided leaders and dominated an evening that was supposed to be devoted to confronting the trade deficit with China. Chief EU Correspondent Zoya Sheftalovich, trade reporter Carlo Martuscelli, Berlin correspondent
Europe’s budget war starts now
EU leaders arrive in Brussels for a summit dominated by two major debates: How far Europe should go in confronting China and how the bloc should shape its next long-term budget. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton break down the tougher mood toward Beijing, the divisions among capitals and the battle over what Europe should spend its money on.
Then, they meet the four new heads of government taki
Von der Leyen won't run for a third term. Or will she?
Ursula von der Leyen is only a year and a half into her second term, but Brussels is already whispering about a third. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart examine what is fueling the speculation — from her sweeping overhaul of the European Commission to concerns that more power is being concentrated at the top.
Then, they explain why the U.S.-Iran peace deal has brought down oil and gas prices, but
The end of Brussels’ most important dinner party
The fight over the EU’s next seven-year budget is heating up.
European affairs ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss the cash pot. Last week, the Cypriot presidency came up with concrete figures … but the backlash was almost immediate. Zoya and Ian discuss the main sticking points.
Next, one of the most useful diplomatic gatherings in Brussels for years has been the exclusive dinn
Bardella warns Brussels he won’t moderate
French presidential hopeful Jordan Bardella wants Brussels to know that if he reaches the Élysée, he won’t follow Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s path from insurgent outsider to pragmatic EU power broker. POLITICO’s Marion Solletty joins Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur to discuss her wide-ranging interview with the far-right leader — including his plans to confront the EU, his pitch to French voter
Are voters hopelessly divided or universally angry?
Across Europe, political instability, fragmentation and polarization are increasingly becoming the norm. But how are governments tackling these tensions?
On this episode of the Brussels Playbook Week Ender, host Sarah Wheaton and her guests hone in on three countries: France, Greece and Denmark. Dialing in from Paris and Athens are our colleagues Clea Caulcutt and Nektaria Stamouli, and Jakob Mor
The US embassy's divisive birthday bash
The U.S. embassy’s mega 250th birthday bash in Brussels is one of the most sought-after events for the city’s top brass ... but it’s also drawing ire.
Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss why MEPs and environmental activists are growing increasingly frustrated with this American July 4th celebration. The event is set to be attended by 5,000 people and will shut down the pu
When K-pop diplomacy hits Brussels
South Korea’s president is in Brussels for the first EU-South Korea summit in three years — a visit that starts with K-pop diplomacy but quickly moves to chips, trade, defense and China.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at why Seoul has become such an important partner for Europe and why South Korea’s role in Europe’s rearmament push is also politically awkward.
The due also discuss Commis
Can Ireland defend its trade with Russia?
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, heads to Dublin today with awkward questions for Ireland.
The country is facing increased scrutiny over the fact that a Russian-owned refinery on Irish soil continues exporting alumina to Russia — a raw material that can feed Moscow’s industrial and military supply chains. The timing is especially awkward since Dublin is preparing to take over the EU’s rotating
Albania's 'flamingo revolution' comes to Brussels
The EU is struggling to land a new deal on consumer protections for airline passengers.
After a week of intense negotiations that ultimately failed, transport ministers are meeting today to discuss the current state of play. The main sticking points: rules on compensation for delayed flights and the ease of filing these compensation claims.
Also on the show, the far-right National Rally is lead
Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
The European Commission has finally unveiled its long-awaited tech sovereignty package — a push to make Europe less dependent on foreign technology after years of relying on U.S. cloud services, chips, AI infrastructure and digital tools.
Sarah Wheaton is joined by former MEP Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup and POLITICO’s Laurens Cerulus to ask what happens when the systems running Euro
Is Italy's Giorgia Meloni in trouble?
With a slowing economy, soaring energy costs and mounting pressure on defense spending, PM Giorgia Meloni faces an uphill battle in next year’s Italian election.
Amid all this, Zoya and Ian discuss how a recent European Commission decision to exempt certain green investments from its public-spending rules is a small win for the Italian leader. They dig deeper into the thought process behind this
The jobs squeeze facing Europe
Today the Commission will publish its European Semester Spring Package, a checkup on EU countries’ economies. But the news isn’t too good.
The report warns that over a million jobs across Europe could be lost in the coming years as a result of high energy costs, competition from abroad and the green transition. On the pod, Zoya and Ian discuss these major labor market challenges.
Also happening
Who keeps the Russian shadow fleet afloat?
As the EU prepares to target Russia’s shadow fleet in the 21st sanctions package, we’re looking at the system that keeps these ships in business.
Every one of these Russian vessels carrying sanctioned goods requires port access, crews, financial services and more to stay operational. On today’s episode, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton pinpoint insurance in particular. They explain how, even t
Europe’s toughest migration plan yet
The EU is edging closer to one of its most controversial migration policies yet: sending failed asylum seekers to return hubs outside the bloc.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur discuss the latest negotiations over tougher deportation rules, why countries are already exploring potential deals from Albania to Central Asia, and why critics warn the plans could create offshore detention centers.
T
China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t quit?
Is the EU finally ready to get serious about China?
That’s the question increasingly dominating conversations in Brussels as fears grow that Europe is being squeezed by Beijing’s industrial machine.
Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Sander Tordoir from the Centre for European Reform, Grzegorz Stec from MERICS and POLITICO’s Jordyn Dahl to discuss the European Commission's attempts to forge a comm
The ban threat facing Europe's far right
Europe’s far right is yet again under the microscope as a European Parliament watchdog moves to ban the Alternative for Germany’s EU party.
On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss how the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations party — home to Germany’s AfD — risks losing EU funding and even its status as a political party. In a 300-page letter, the Authority for European Political
Kallas, von der Leyen and the rivalry over EU intelligence
Brussels is beefing up its intelligence machinery.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson talk about the growing role of INTCEN — the EU’s little-known intelligence-analysis hub inside the European External Action Service — and the quiet power struggle brewing between Kaja Kallas’ diplomatic service and Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission over who gets to handle sensitive security information in Bru
Should Europe talk to Putin?
Europe is still reeling from the recent drone incursions into Baltic airspace.
In a show of solidarity, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius are in Lithuania today following last week’s drone scare. Today on the Brussels Playbook Podcast, we unpack the latest developments, including discussions about Baltic companies teaming up with Ukrainian firms t
From the Baltic to the Balkans: Putin is testing European leaders
There’s an ominous backdrop to this year’s GLOBSEC forum in Prague as the war in Ukraine strays into the skies over NATO’s Eastern flank. The last few weeks have seen an increasing number of drone incursions in the Baltics — Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — across EU airspace.
And there are questions over America’s commitment to European security ahead of an important NATO summit in Ankara in July
Why are drones suddenly terrifying Europe?
With drone alerts, emergency shelters and fighter jets over the Baltics, Europe’s security fears suddenly feel much less theoretical at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague.
On the ground in Czechia for the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the growing wave of drone incursions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. They also discuss why Baltic leaders are sounding the alarm
