Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

Mark Leonard welcomes Hugh Lovatt to unpack Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza and what it means for Israel, Hamas, and Europe. This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Hugh Lovatt, Senior Policy Fellow at ECFR and expert on Israel–Palestine, to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of Trump’s proposed Gaza peace deal. What does the plan actually contain, and how did it come about? Can it deliver a real ceasefire and political pathway, or is it another exercise in ambiguity? Hugh explains why the deal may be more complicated for Hamas than for Israel, what leverage Europeans still hold, and how an international stabilisation force could (or couldn’t) work on the ground. This podcast was recorded on September 6th 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass and author of The Once and Future Worker, delves into America's shifting political right. He discusses the move from Reagan-era free trade to a pro-worker economic agenda, emphasizing the importance of manufacturing for job quality and national security. Cass critiques the consumption-focused economic model and advocates for policies like balanced trade and industrial investment. He further connects family stability with economic success, proposing a reimagined approach to education and social policy that supports family flourishing.

James Crabtree, a former Financial Times bureau chief and author on India's foreign policy, joins Suhasini Haidar, a diplomatic editor renowned for her insights into India’s strategy. They explore how Trump’s tariffs have nudged India towards multi-alignment, reshaping its relationships with the US, China, and Europe. The duo discusses the implications of India balancing ties amidst border clashes with China and the allure of European partnerships for technology and defense. Expect a revealing look at India's shifting diplomatic landscape in a tumultuous global context.

Mark Leonard is joined by Ulrike Franke, ECFR senior policy fellow, for an Emergency Room podcast. Together, they unpack the recent wave of drone incursions across European airspace in Poland, Romania and Denmark, and discuss what these hybrid threats reveal about Russian tactics and NATO’s readiness. How serious are these drone sightings and what are their origins? What kind of counter-drone defences should Europe be investing in? Why did Poland only shoot down some drones, and what does this signal to Moscow? And if Putin is probing NATO’s red lines, what might his next move be?This episode was recorded on September 25th, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jana Kobzova, co-director of ECFR's European Security Programme and former advisor to Slovakia’s president, breaks down the complex dynamics of Ukraine's ongoing conflict. She discusses crucial developments, including the Anchorage meeting between Trump and Putin and its implications for U.S.-European relations. The podcast explores Zelensky's fluctuating influence amid domestic unrest, public protests against anti-corruption measures, and the shifting landscape of security guarantees as European leaders strategize on deterrence and support for Ukraine.

This week, ECFR director Mark Leonard concludes his deep-dive podcast series into the political universe of the “post-liberal revolution”. Throughout the series, Mark has interviewed prominent individuals across national conservative movements and “new right” politics, aiming to unpack the values behind its roots and ideas.The last episode, which Mark recorded at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, features remarks from various MAGA figures such as Thomas Homan and Steve Bannon. How do the “new right” MAGA politicians perceive traditional Republicans? Why are tariffs and re-industrialisation at the heart of national conservative strategy? And which disagreements arose when discussing foreign policy?This podcast was recorded on September 10th 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Balázs Orbán, political director for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and chairman of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, dives deep into Hungary's national conservatism. He shares insights on the evolution of political ideologies in Hungary, the nation’s demographic challenges, and how community representation shapes policies. The discussion also touches on Hungary's realist foreign policy amidst global tensions and the response of Central and Eastern European countries to the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the rise of national conservative movements across Europe.

Hélène De Lauzun, a Paris correspondent for the European Conservative and author specializing in France's pre-Revolutionary legacy, sheds light on the rich tapestry of conservatism in France. She explores the fragmentation of conservative ideologies, from Bonapartist to counter-revolutionary traditions. The conversation dives into how figures like Macron and Le Pen reflect these themes. They also question whether the National Rally signifies a genuine conservative revival or merely a populist twist amid a secular and globalized France.

Gladden Pappin, president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs and a key figure in transnational conservative thought, dives deep into shifting political paradigms. He discusses the rise of a post-liberal order as a reaction to liberalism's shortcomings. The conversation highlights how American and European conservatism interconnect amidst evolving EU-US relations. Pappin also emphasizes the need for inclusive political discourse, the emergence of new alliances, and the transformative ideas presented in Patrick Deneen's work on governance.

Rod Dreher, an influential writer and journalist based in Budapest, joins to discuss the evolving political landscape marked by a backlash against liberalism. He delves into the rise of right-wing movements and the economic discontent trickling through working-class communities. Dreher also examines the tensions between free speech and social control, drawing uncanny parallels with totalitarian regimes. With insights from his experiences and recent literature, he raises critical questions about the fate of liberal democratic values in this shifting world.