Brussels Sprouts

The relationship between the United States and Europe is facing unprecedented challenges. While the Russian threat to Europe continues to spark fears of a broader conflict, NATO is simultaneously grappling with the implications of a United States that is less committed to European security. To discuss how Europe is reacting to the Trump administration and more, Andrea Kendall-Taylor hosted leading diplomats for a special session at the CNAS 2025 National Security Conference Bogdan Klich, Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Poland The Rt Hon Lord Peter Mandelson, UK Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupsiene, Ambassador, European Union to the United States Watch the session and more at conference.cnas.org

Please join the Transatlantic Security Program at CNAS’s Annual Conference: America’s Edge, on June 3rd!  Analysis from the Economist in February this year shows that far-  right parties are now Europe’s most popular family of political parties by   vote share – overtaking conservative and social-democratic parties for the   first time in modern European history.   To help us understand the roots and repercussions of this movement, we’re pleased to welcome Sheri Berman and Richard Youngs.  Sheri Berman is a professor of political science at Barnard College.  Richard Youngs is a senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program at Carnegie Europe 

Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul this week – the first since March 2022 – have got off to a shaky start. Putin’s no-show meant President Zelenskyy remained in Ankara on Thursday, but he plans to send a delegation to Istanbul led by his Defense Minister. Russia’s unwillingness to send a more senior delegation suggests they are not taking the talks seriously, and there are few signs they have dropped their maximalist war demands and would be ready to make a settlement with Ukraine that ensures a sustainable peace. With their efforts so far having failed to yield significant results, President Trump has expressed his frustration with both Kyiv and Moscow and personally urged Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy to meet directly.   To discuss this round of talks and the prospects for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, we’re very pleased to have Sam Charap and Sergey Radchenko with us on the podcast.     Sam Charap is distinguished chair in Russia and Eurasia Policy and a senior political scientist at RAND.   Sergey Radchenko is the Wilson E. Schmidt distinguished professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. 

In highly anticipated federal elections on April 28th, Canada’s Liberal Party emerged victorious after staging a major comeback in the polls over the past several months. This comeback victory took place against the backdrop of rising tensions between Canada and the United States, with the Trump administration’s combative stance toward its northern neighbor having played a role in boosting the popularity of the Liberals. Prime Minister Mark Carney, in his first week, has taken a firm stand against Trump, asserting earlier this week at the White House that Canada was “not for sale.”   To discuss Canada's new political era, Kim Richard Nossal and Elizabeth Anderson analyze the election results and implications for Canadian foreign policy.  Kim Richard Nossal is a professor emeritus in the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and the author of Canada Alone.  Elizabeth Anderson is a Fulbright Scholar and Visiting Associate Fellow in CNAS’s Transatlantic Security Program, as well as a former senior advisor in the office of Canada’s Foreign Minister. 

There’s been a flurry of activity on the Ukraine front this week. Over the weekend, Donald Trump briefly met with Zelensky in Rome during ceremonies for Pope Francis’ funeral. A deal over mineral rights seems imminent, and President Trump rebuked Vladimir Putin, accusing him of leading him along as Russian strikes on Ukraine continue. However, uncertainty over the future of the U.S. and Ukraine continues, especially over whether the U.S. will push Ukraine to accept maximalist Russian demands. This week, Charles Kupchan and Eric Ciaramella join Brussels Sprouts to discuss the status of negotiations over Ukraine and the future of the U.S.–Russia relationship. Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University.  Eric Ciaramella is a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.  

On April 9th, Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union, secured a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats following his party’s victory in the federal elections. In early May, the Bundestag is expected to convene and elect him as the next Chancellor. One of the most significant initiatives of this new government is likely to be a historic overhaul of Germany’s defense posture.   To discuss this and more, we’re pleased to welcome Claudia Major and Christian Mölling to discuss Germany's new government and defense strategy.  Claudia Major is the Senior Vice President of Transatlantic Security at the German Marshall Fund Christian Mölling is a Senior Advisor at the European Policy Centre  

Celeste Wallander, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, delves into the critical dynamics of U.S. support for Ukraine. She discusses how fluctuating American aid during the Trump administration reshaped perceptions in Europe. The conversation touches on the complexities of military planning, interagency collaboration, and the evolution of nuclear deterrence amid rising tensions. Wallander emphasizes the importance of adaptable strategies and European involvement in bolstering Ukraine's defense against ongoing threats.

Dan Mullaney, former U.S. trade representative for Europe, and Tobias Gehrke, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, dive into the impact of President Trump's tariffs on transatlantic trade. They explore Europe's potential retaliatory strategies and its significant economic leverage in tech legislation. The discussion highlights the complexities of trade wars, the need for constructive dialogue, and how current policies may reshape global economic dynamics. Listeners gain insights into navigating trade tensions amidst geopolitical challenges.

Join Soner Çağaptay, a Turkish politics expert at the Washington Institute, and Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a Brookings fellow on Turkish affairs, as they dive into Turkey's turbulent political landscape. They discuss the recent arrests of opposition leaders and the implications for democracy. The guests highlight Turkey's strategic ambitions amidst economic challenges and its crucial role in European geopolitics, especially regarding the Ukraine conflict. Expect gripping insights on the evolving political dynamics and the potential for grassroots movements in Turkey.

Eddie Fishman, an expert in economic warfare and senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, discusses his new book, Chokepoints. He explains how the U.S. has transformed the global economy into a battlefield using sanctions and export controls against adversaries like Iran, Russia, and China. The conversation dives into the evolution of economic strategies from cooperation to competition, examining the effectiveness of sanctions and their historical context. Fishman also explores using seized Russian assets to bolster support for Ukraine.