Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Mujtaba Rahman, managing director, Europe, at Eurasia Group, to explore the evolving dynamic between the EU and the UK. With a new British government under Keir Starmer and shifting global currents, what are the real opportunities—and constraints—for a meaningful reset in EU-UK relations?Mark and Mujtaba discuss the urgency of deeper cooperation on security and defence, the complexity of trade relations, and the need for joint solutions on migration and climate. With a crucial EU-UK summit taking place on May 19th, they argue for an ambitious strategy that includes dynamic alignment, a serious look at the customs union debate, and bolder thinking on how to rebuild trust and deliver tangible results on both sides of the Channel. Can the UK and EU find common ground, or will political caution get in the way? Will ambition triumph over pragmatism? And, in this new chapter, what does success really look like for EU-UK relations?Bookshelf:Age of Vice by Deepti KapoorHouse of Huawei: The Secret History of China's Most Powerful Company by Eva DouThis podcast was recorded on April 8th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janka Oertel, head of ECFR’s Asia programme, and Camille Grand, a distinguished policy fellow, share fresh insights after their visits to Taipei. They discuss Taiwan's 'porcupine strategy' to deter Chinese aggression and explore parallels with Ukraine's resilience. Their conversation highlights Taiwan's strategic investments, like TSMC’s project in Arizona, as it navigates a complex relationship with the U.S. and China, while emphasizing Europe's role in supporting democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific.

In a gripping conversation, Agathe Demarais, an ECFR senior policy fellow specializing in geoeconomics, discusses the fallout from Donald Trump’s startling tariff announcements. They dive into the potential economic turmoil facing the U.S., including inflation and a looming recession. The duo considers Europe's strategic responses and the fractures in global trade, questioning whether this marks a temporary disruption or the rise of a chaotic economic landscape. They also touch on the shifting dynamics of globalization and the influence of tariffs on consumer behavior.

Célia Belin, head of ECFR’s Paris office and an expert on French politics, joins the conversation to dissect the recent conviction of Marine Le Pen for misusing EU funds. They unpack the significant implications of Le Pen's five-year ban from public office and its disruption of her 2027 presidential ambitions. Célia also sheds light on the broader impact of this judicial decision on Europe's far-right, discussing how it could energize populist movements or signal a turning point for judicial accountability across the continent.

Janka Oertel, head of ECFR’s Asia programme, James Crabtree, a distinguished fellow with expertise in Asia, and Rudra Chowdhury, director at Carnegie India, discuss Europe's strategic shift towards Asia amidst the unpredictable Trump administration. They explore Europe's evolving ties with India, Japan, and South Korea, highlighting the need for strategic autonomy. The panel also examines India's warm view of Trump and its potential role as a bridge in global diplomacy, while considering the complex dynamics with China and the implications for European capitals.

In this conversation, Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR's Director of Research and US Programme Director, shares his insights on startling geopolitical shifts. He discusses a scandal involving U.S. officials discussing military strategies in a Signal group chat, revealing their disregard for European allies. The dialogue then shifts to potential U.S.-Russia agreements, hinting at troubling implications for Ukraine and European defense. Shapiro’s analysis raises questions about America’s changing role on the global stage—and whether it might be leaving its traditional allies behind.

Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, an associate senior policy fellow for ECFR and visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, joins the discussion on Turkey's political turmoil following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, sparking nationwide protests. They delve into how President Erdogan's actions might herald a shift towards authoritarianism, exploring the polarized political landscape and the role of the Kurdish minority. Aydıntaşbaş also highlights Turkey’s strategic maneuvers within a changing global geopolitical context and the waning influence of Europe on Turkish politics.

Mark Leonard chats with Tobias Gehrke, a senior policy fellow at ECFR, specializing in geoeconomics, and José Ignacio Torreblanca, head of ECFR’s Madrid office focusing on tech geopolitics. They dive into how Europe can respond to a potentially confrontational Trump administration. Topics include leveraging trade tariffs, targeting tech giants like Elon Musk, and implementing nuanced regulations to manage American influence in Europe. The discussion highlights the risks of escalating tensions and the importance of a self-reliant tech landscape to safeguard democracy.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Kirill Shamiev, a policy fellow with ECFR’s Wider Europe programme, to dissect the outcomes and implications of the historic phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin—which, at two-and-a-half-hours, was the longest between American and Russian leaders in history. Mark and Kirill explore the three key outcomes: a prisoner exchange of 175 individuals from each side; an agreement to cease attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days; and a shift from informal diplomacy to official expert discussions on conflict settlement.  The conversation also delves into the contrasting post-call read-outs from the White House and the Kremlin; where Russia is projecting assertiveness, the US has adopted a more diplomatic tone. What does the phone call mean for the Ukraine conflict? And why is Europe conspicuously absent from the discussion?  This podcast was recorded on 19 March 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mark Leonard is joined by Adam Tooze—ECFR trustee, the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis professor of history at Columbia University, director of the university’s European Institute and author—to discuss Donald Trump’s rise through a class lens. They examine how job losses and cultural divides, as well as frustration with media, tech and government elites, are driving workers’ support for Trump. These societal shifts are disrupting US politics, promoting figures like Trump and Elon Musk who some see as defying the establishment. Tooze calls for Europe to develop a united, stronger response to these changes. With the US distracted and China ahead in manufacturing areas such as tech and automotive, Europe needs major investments in finance, industry and technology. Tooze sees less risk in US trade disputes but warns Europe must act to stay relevant. But can Europe meet this challenge?This podcast was recorded on 17th March.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.