Brussels Sprouts

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.

Kori Schake, a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and Erica Frantz, a Political Science expert from Michigan State University, dive into the recent shake-ups in military leadership under the Trump administration. They discuss the unprecedented mass firings and the potential risks of politicizing military advice, which could undermine democracy and national security. The conversation also explores the implications for U.S. foreign policy and the integrity of civil-military relations, raising alarms about the future of democracy in the U.S.

Shashank Joshi, Defense Editor at The Economist, and Camille Grand, a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, discuss the mounting tensions in transatlantic relations and its effect on European security. They highlight Europe's unprecedented defense spending surge in response to U.S. military aid suspensions to Ukraine. The guests delve into NATO's evolving role amid geopolitical challenges, underscoring the necessity for a cohesive European strategy to counter Russian aggression and secure stability in the region.

James Angelos, Germany news editor at POLITICO, and Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, dive into the seismic shifts from Germany's recent parliamentary elections. They discuss the far-right Alternative for Germany's rise and the impact of the previous U.S. administration on transatlantic ties. The conversation explores Germany's evolving foreign policy, increased military support for Ukraine, and the challenge of balancing relations with Russia and China amid changing geopolitics. Insightful perspectives on the future of centrist coalitions are also shared.

Gustav Gressel, an expert on Russia and defense policy, and Franz-Stefan Gady, a senior fellow and defense consultant, dive into the complexities of the Ukraine conflict. They discuss the implications of U.S. negotiations with Russia excluding Kyiv, raising concerns about Ukraine’s future. The duo highlights the urgent need for Europe to enhance its military readiness amidst fears of potential U.S. withdrawal. The talk also touches on Europe’s evolving defense strategies and the prospects of peacekeeping missions in Ukraine, navigating the intricacies of international diplomacy.

Emma Ashford, a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center specializing in U.S. foreign policy, and Stephen Wertheim, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment focusing on foreign policy history, dive deep into the changing landscape of U.S.-European relations. They discuss the seismic shifts in U.S. security commitments post-Trump's comments, the complex dynamics of U.S.-Ukraine relations, and the implications of a possible Trump presidency on foreign aid. Their insights remind us of the intricacies of navigating these tense geopolitical waters.

In recent years, the previous bipolar nuclear order led by the United States and Russia has given way to a more volatile, tripolar one, as China has quantitatively and qualitatively built up its nuclear arsenal. At the same time, there have been significant breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, including for military applications. As a result of these two trends, it is now important to understand and think through the challenges at the AI nuclear nexus, including understanding what our adversaries, China and Russia, are doing in this space. To discuss this and more, Jacob Stokes and Colin Kahl join Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend for a special episode of Brussels Sprouts celebrating the launch of a new CNAS report, Averting AI Armageddon: US-China-Russia Rivalry at the Nexus of Nuclear Weapons and Artificial Intelligence. Colin Kahl is the Stephen C. Házy senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. During the Biden administration, he served as undersecretary of defense for policy.   Jacob Stokes is a senior fellow and deputy director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS.