Europe Inside Out
Europe Inside Out is a podcast from Carnegie Europe that examines the foreign policy challenges and opportunities facing the European continent. Each monthly episode brings together experts to look beyond the headlines and unpack the forces shaping European diplomacy and security. The show explores where Europe currently stands, how it arrived at this point, and where it may be heading. It is aimed at listeners who want informed, analytical discussion rather than day-to-day news coverage.
Afleveringen
Is Russia Already at War with Europe?
From severed undersea cables to explosive-laden drones over a German airport runway and a Romanian gas field, Russia’s attacks on European NATO countries have escalated in recent months. Rym Momtaz, Kadri Liik, and Nathalie Tocci discuss whether Europe is deterring Russia enough and if it should—or can—start striking back.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:09] Russia’s Attacks: Hybrid or More?, [00:09:
Why Is the U.S. Restricting Access to Frontier AI?
The U.S. decision to restrict access to some of Anthropic's latest AI models over national security concerns directly affects EU-U.S. cooperation in cyberspace.
Rym Momtaz, Raluca Csernatoni, and Louise Marie Hurel discuss what this means for Europe's strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty.
[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:01] The Securitization of Frontier AI, [00:18:12] Different Access Level
Can Europe Rival the United States and China?
Europe is stuck between the United States’ market-driven dynamism and China’s state-led industrial strategy.
Rosa Balfour, Noah Barkin, and Anu Bradford debate whether Europe can leverage its rulemaking power and emerging industrial agenda into genuine competitiveness.
Anu Bradford, Noah Barkin, May 27, 2026, “Can Europe Compete with the United States and China?,” Carnegie Europe.
Noah Barkin, Jan
Will Europe Ever Stand Up to Trump?
Since U.S. President Donald Trump has returned to the White House, several crises have affected the transatlantic relationship.
Rym Momtaz, Rosa Balfour, and Stefan Lehne reflect on whether Europeans should stop considering the United States as the partner it once was.
[00:00:00] Intro, [00:00:57] Was it Worth it for Europe to Appease Trump?, [00:13:22] EU Dependence on the U.S. in Different Domai
Can France Be Europe’s Nuclear Deterrent?
Emmanuel Macron's updated French nuclear doctrine represents an unprecedented effort by Paris to coordinate with European partners as U.S. security commitments decline.
Rym Momtaz, Sophia Besch, and Ulrich Kühn discuss France's evolving role in European nuclear deterrence and the political and material credibility gaps that persist.
[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:26] Macron’s Update to France’s Nuclear
Is the Radical Right a Threat to Europe?
With key elections approaching across Europe, radical-right parties are poised to maintain and even expand their political influence.
Rosa Balfour, Catherine Fieschi, and Cas Mudde explore whether a more right-leaning EU constitutes an existential threat, or if such concerns are overstated.
Catherine Fieschi, Cas Mudde, March 19, 2026, "Is the Radical-Right Threat Existential or Overstated?," Carn
What Is Europe Sacrificing in the Iran War?
The Iranian nuclear deal was the last issue where Europe could realistically claim to have diplomatic influence.
Rym Momtaz, Pierre Vimont, and Maha Yahya debate whether the war in Iran has left Europe irrelevant on the global stage.
[00:00:00] Intro, [00:00:51] The Current Situation in Lebanon and the Region, [00:09:16] Is Europe Now Irrelevant in the Region?, [00:25:54] The Role of the Gulf and
Will Enlargement Make Europe Stronger?
The EU and its member states are weighing the costs and benefits of offering Ukraine a fast-track accession process, while also considering how to manage relations with other candidate countries.
Rosa Balfour, Sylvie Goulard, and Gerald Knaus examine how further enlargement could shape the EU’s cohesion, decisionmaking capacity, and ability to act effectively on the global stage.
[00:00:00] Intro,
Is 2026 a Turning Point for Armenia and Azerbaijan?
The peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, initialed in August 2025, represents a major turning point for the South Caucasus.Thomas de Waal, Zaur Shiriyev, and Areg Kochinyan discuss the role Europe can play in supporting normalization and advancing infrastructure development across the region.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:37] The Armenia-Azerbaijan Normalization, [00:11:23] New Connectivity Projec
Can Europe Ever Trust the United States Again?
The Trump administration has repeatedly signaled its rejection of the values that have long underpinned EU-U.S. relations.Rosa Balfour, Jan Techau, and Nathalie Tocci ask whether Brussels must now chart its own course.Carnegie Europe will be addressing the toughest questions facing the EU in its new project “Europe Head-to-Head.” Follow our work for insights and discussions shaping the continent's
Is Europe Ready for AI-Driven War?
AI-powered technologies are transforming the nature of warfare, with profound implications for European security and the EU’s regulatory framework.Thomas de Waal, Raluca Csernatoni, and Jessica Dorsey examine how these dual-use systems blur civilian and military lines, and their implications for strategic, legal, and ethical accountability.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:40] The Evolution of AI on the Ba
Is Britain Becoming More Like Europe?
Despite Labour’s landslide victory in last year’s general election, support for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is now sharply eroding.Thomas de Waal, Peter Kellner, and Anne McElvoy unpack the rise of Reform UK and whether a pragmatic reengagement with the EU could revive growth in Britain.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:28] Europe’s Challenges, [00:06:40] The EU’s Need to Reform, [00:17:55] The Fut
Is Europe Ready to Be Geopolitical?
Between high-level reports, bold statements, and internal negotiation, Europe struggles to outline a cohesive geostrategic vision for its place in the world. Sophia Besch, Dan Baer, and Rosa Balfour explore why the EU often fails to establish long-term solutions to the challenges it faces, and explain how Europe can overcome its political and institutional paralysis. [00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:28] E
The Elusive Road to Peace in Gaza
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems to be holding, but much work will need to be done before it can transform into a lasting peace.Rym Momtaz, Pierre Vimont, and Maha Yahya break down reactions from European and Arab leaders to Trump’s Gaza peace plan and discuss if Europe has a role to play.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:02:24] The Ceasefire in Gaza, [00:17:53] Does Europe Have a Role to Play? [0
Europe’s Place on the Global Chessboard
The EU-U.S. trade deal concluded in July and the EU-China summit held the same month highlighted Europe’s weakening position on the global chessboard. Rym Momtaz, Rosa Balfour, and Erik Jones unpack why European leaders struggle to play power politics and explore what it will take for the EU to regain strategic agency. [00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:54] Europe's Summer of Delusion, [00:14:18] Prospects
Can Europe Cooperate with Trump on Climate Action?
U.S. President Donald Trump perceives climate change not as an environmental crisis but as a geostrategic opportunity. Rym Momtaz sat down with Olivia Lazard and Milo McBride to explore whether Europe can still cooperate with the United States on the clean energy transition.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:48] The Trump Administration’s Approach to Climate Change, [00:10:32] EU-U.S. Cooperation on Climate
Can Turkey and Armenia Normalize Relations?
Relations between Turkey and Armenia remain frozen, largely because of Azerbaijan’s influence over Ankara and a lack of sustained Western diplomatic engagement. Rym Momtaz sat down with Thomas de Waal and Garo Paylan to discuss the main obstacles to a rapprochement and why reopening the Turkey-Armenia border matters for both regional and Western interests.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:35] The State of
How AI Is Reshaping the Global Order
As transatlantic tensions over technology and AI regulation intensify, emerging powers like China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are seeking to assert their dominance in the tech domain. Rym Momtaz sat down with Sinan Ülgen and Sam Winter-Levy to discuss the dual-use nature of generative AI and large language models and how they might be misused by malign actors. [00:00:00] Intro, [00
Can Europe Keep Democracy Alive?
One of the Trump administration’s first moves has been the dismantling of USAID, an agency that has been critical for international development and democracy promotion.Rym Momtaz sat down with Thomas Carothers and Richard Youngs to discuss the implications of U.S. cuts to foreign aid and Europe’s role in keeping the global democracy agenda alive.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:11] Trump’s Cuts to USAID,
Can Europe Step Up for Ukraine?
After three years of war on its soil, Ukraine is grappling with manpower shortages and increasingly uncertain Western military support in the face of Russia’s continued aggression.Rym Momtaz sat down with Yuliya Bidenko and Eric Ciaramella to unpack the situation on the ground and the war’s broader implications for European security and the transatlantic alliance.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:02:01] The M
Can the EU Outmaneuver Russia Around the Black Sea?
Russia’s belligerence and political interference in some of the Black Sea littoral states threaten the EU’s influence in the region. Rym Momtaz sat down with Dimitar Bechev and Thomas de Waal to discuss how the union can respond to Moscow’s destabilizing actions and keep the enlargement process on track. [00:00:00] Intro, [00:02:13] The Political Situation in Georgia and Moldova, [00:10:04] The EU
Europe’s New Economic Statecraft
Trade wars, the contestation of neoliberalism, and the weaponization of interdependence have prompted the EU to adjust its political economic model. Rym Momtaz sat down with Rosa Balfour and Erik Jones to discuss how the EU is changing its economic strategies and what challenges lie ahead for the new European Commission. [00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:29] The EU’s Political Economic Model, [00:15:37] Eu
Is Europe Ready for Trump 2.0?
With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the future of the transatlantic alliance hangs in the balance. Europe Inside Out's new host Rym Momtaz is joined by Sophia Besch and Christopher Shell to unpack the reasons behind his victory and its implications for EU-U.S. relations.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:52] Interviews with Voters in the United States [00:10:52] The Reasons Behind Trump’s Victor
Can Georgia Stay on Its European Path?
As Georgia approaches a critical election after the introduction of a controversial foreign agents law, the country’s future remains uncertain.Thomas de Waal, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Natalie Sabanadze, senior research fellow at Chatham House, discuss how the election outcome could influence Georgia’s political landscape and international standing.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:43] Georgia'
Can EU-UK Relations Be Reset?
Following his party’s election victory, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hoping for a fundamental reset of Britain’s relations with the rest of Europe.Peter Kellner, nonresident scholar at Carnegie Europe, and Kim Darroch, member of the British House of Lords, assess the prospects of revitalizing EU-UK ties on trade, security, and international cooperation.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:24] EU-UK Relat
Has Europe Become More Strategic?
After twelve years at the helm of the “Strategic Europe” blog, Judy Dempsey is stepping down as its editor in chief.Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, sat down with Judy and Jan Techau, a former Carnegie Europe director, to analyze how Europe’s global role has evolved since 2012.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:30] How Did the Blog Begin?, [00:08:50] Has Europe Become More Strategic?
Is the Planet on the Ballot?
This year’s elections in Europe and the United States will significantly impact global climate action amid increasing global insecurity and contested green policies.Olivia Lazard, fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Rod Schoonover, cofounder of the Ecosecurity Council, emphasize the need for more effective leadership and institutions to address climate change.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:23] The Climate Ch
Can the West Help Revive Global Democracy?
The upcoming elections in the European Union and the United States are crucial tests for democracy on both sides of the Atlantic.Richard Youngs, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Thomas Carothers, director of Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, discuss what is in store for the global democratic agenda and the current state of EU-U.S. cooperation on democracy support.[00:00:
What Next for Russia’s Neighbors?
Putin’s war against Ukraine has prompted states in Russia’s neighborhood to reconsider their affinity to Moscow.Thomas de Waal, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Fiona Hill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, reflect on the future political direction of these countries.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:44] Russia’s Changing Relations With Its Neighbors, [00:12:08] Putin’s Goals in Russia’s Nei
Can Europe Resist the Radical Right?
Ahead of June’s European Parliament elections, radical right parties are gaining ground across the continent.Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, and Stefan Lehne, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, unpack the causes of this trend and reflect on how it could shape the EU’s political future.Carnegie Europe is grateful to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland for their support of this wor
Will 2024 Be Turkey's Turning Point?
Turkey’s 2023 was marked by the reelection of President Erdoğan and by a reorientation of the country’s economic policy—while old disagreements with the West over Ankara’s close relationship with Moscow and poor rule-of-law record persisted.Marc Pierini and Sinan Ülgen, senior fellows at Carnegie Europe, discuss Turkey’s political and economic landscape ahead of the 2024 municipal elections and wh
The Western Balkans’ Bumpy Road to the EU
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has given EU enlargement new impetus, but obstacles to the Western Balkan countries’ integration persist.Dimitar Bechev, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Oana Popescu-Zamfir, director of the Bucharest-based think tank GlobalFocus Center, discuss the domestic dynamics in the region and how Brussels can encourage democratic reform.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01
Europe in the New Middle East
The Israel-Hamas war has exposed Europe’s declining diplomatic clout in the Middle East, where Arab countries and the United States are taking the lead to find durable solutions for the region’s peace and security.Pierre Vimont, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Amr Hamzawy, senior fellow and director of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, take stock of E
Is Russia Changing the Rules of Cyberspace?
Russia’s war against Ukraine reveals much about the use of cyber in warfare and the evolving role of states, international organizations, and the private sector in securing the digital realm.Raluca Csernatoni, fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Tim Maurer, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, discuss the blurring of lines between war and peace in cyberspace and what it mean
What Place for Europe in the Indo-Pacific?
Relations with Southeast Asia are critical to Europe’s clout in the Indo-Pacific. Investment, supply chains, visa regulations, and data protection are among the factors influencing EU-ASEAN ties.Lizza Bomassi, deputy Director of Carnegie Europe, and Elina Noor, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, assess Europe’s relations with Southeast Asia and discuss where this part
What Peace for Ukraine?
As Ukraine continues its counter-offensive and advances democratic reforms in pursuit of EU and NATO membership, Western support for the country has never been more crucial.Judy Dempsey, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, sits down with Marie Yovanovitch, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss how Europe and the United States can bring Ukraine closer to victory
How Europe Can Navigate Global Disorder
Marked by regional struggles for hegemony and intense U.S.-China rivalry, the world order is headed toward a messy multipolarity where Europe has yet to find its place.Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, and Stefan Lehne, senior fellow Carnegie Europe, sit down to unpack the trends in the emerging international system and assess the EU’s role within it.[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:31] The Chang
Why the Black Sea Is a Geopolitical Gray Zone
The Black Sea is geopolitically significant as both a theater of trade and a theater of war. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shifted the traditional balance between Moscow and Ankara in the region and has led to an increased NATO presence there. Can the EU leverage its economic and foreign policy tools to expand its influence in the Black Sea?Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe, and
Why Europe’s Iran Policy Warrants a Rethink
Iranians are revolting against a regime built on the systematic oppression of women, marginalized groups, and civil society. Against this background, as well as Tehran’s ties with authoritarian powers and the risk of escalating the nuclear file, the EU must reorient its approach by placing human rights and security at the center of its policy. Only then can it play a greater role in ensuring a bri
Why Germany Broke Defense Taboos
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Zeitenwende speech in February 2022 laid the groundwork for a transformation of Germany’s foreign and security policy. One year in, how much has Berlin’s positioning on Russia, energy, and defense changed? Judy Dempsey, a nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Sophia Besch, a fellow in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, sit do
How Ukraine Forged a Culture of Resilience
Nearly a decade has passed since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine. This tumultuous period has left a profound mark on Ukrainian society and cultivated a culture of resilience.Gwendolyn Sasse, a nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Yuliya Bidenko, an associate professor of political science at Karazin Kharkiv National University, discuss Ukraine’s recent history, the perseveran
How 2023 Could Transform Turkey
Turkey will hold presidential and parliamentary elections later this year, the results of which will have significant repercussions for the country’s economic and foreign policies. Sinan Ülgen and Marc Pierini, senior fellows at Carnegie Europe, analyze the current state of affairs in Turkey and lay out the implications of new leadership in Ankara for Europe and the world.Marc Pierini (November 1
How Transatlantic Tensions Jeopardize EU-U.S. Unity
The transatlantic relationship showcased remarkable unity in 2022, but fissures between the United States and the European Union are appearing with regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, economic policy, and China.Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, is joined by Dan Baer, senior vice president for policy research and director at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss
Can Europe and the United States Reimagine Democracy?
Extreme polarization, populism, and political violence are plaguing American democracy, while fragmentation and governance issues are challenging Europe’s. Such political turbulence not only raises questions about the health of democracy at home but also about how democracy support is coordinated abroad. Richard Youngs and Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellows in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Gov
Where the Transatlantic Response to Climate Change Falls Short
Russia’s war on Ukraine has spotlighted the interconnectedness of foreign and security policy, energy, and the environment. A deeper appreciation of the geopolitics of climate will shape not only EU-U.S. relations–as reflected in the recently unveiled Inflation Reduction Act in the United States and the Critical Materials Act in the EU–but also global affairs and events, including COP27.Olivia Laz
How Russia Shattered Europe's Post-Cold War Illusions
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has transformed Europe’s relations with Moscow and with Eastern Europe, as exemplified by the EU’s energy diversification and transformation of its foreign and security policies. The war has also laid bare Europe’s flaws, including its assumptions about the transition to liberal democracy following the Cold War and delusions about Putin’s worldviews. Rosa Balfour, dire
