Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

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.

Donald Trump's presidency has cast a significant shadow over Europe, reshaping its varied political landscapes and policy decisions. As the continent navigates this transformative era, it also faces tests to its unity and cohesion.  This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, ECFR senior policy fellow and head of the Paris office, Piotr Buras, ECFR senior policy fellow and head of the Warsaw office, Teresa Coratella, ECFR policy fellow and deputy head of the Rome office, Rafael Loss, ECFR policy fellow, José Ignacio Torreblanca, ECFR senior policy fellow and head of the Madrid office and Maria Simeonova, head of ECFR Sofia, for a special episode recorded in Prague where ECFR gathered for its annual staff retreat. Together with Mark, this week’s guests explore how Trump 2.0 is forcing Europe to confront its vulnerabilities and rethink many assumptions which it had long taken for granted. This podcast was recorded on March 13th  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Marie Dumoulin, head of ECFR’s Wider Europe programme, to explore the implications of and strategic motives behind a newly announced Ukraine-US agreement amid the Russia conflict. The deal includes a 30-day ceasefire, and resumed US intelligence sharing and military aid for Ukraine. Will Russia reciprocate or escalate? Is the US fully backing Ukraine or seeking a reset with Russia? Does Russia see a chance to cement influence over Ukraine and European security? This podcast was recorded on 12 March.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Mark Leonard welcomes Piotr Buras senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Warsaw office to discuss the recent shifts in Europe’s defence strategy. On the weekend, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz’s has said he would pursue discussions with France and Britain on sharing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk is looking into the possibility of nuclear deterrence and has proposed compulsory military training for men. Are we witnessing a fundamental shift in Europe’s security posture? How do Tusk’s remarks tie into Merz’s comments? Are we seeing the end of America’s nuclear umbrella in Europe, or at least the end of its credibility?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fourteen years after the outbreak of civil war, Syria is at a critical juncture. Beyond its borders, regional tensions continue to shape its fate. Meanwhile, traditional global powers, particularly the US, remain largely disengaged—raising questions about the risk of inaction. This week Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of ECFR’s MENA programme, Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of ECFR’s MENA programme, and Hugh Lovatt, ECFR senior policy fellow. The team has just returned from a research trip to Damascus, where they met with Syria’s new government officials and civil society members. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa, what is the mood in the country? How has governance evolved under the new leadership, and what challenges persist? What role can—and should—Europe play in shaping Syria’s post-war reality? And do Syria’s new politics offer an opportunity for Europe to counter Russian influence?   Bookshelf: Kleptopia: How Dirty Money is Conquering the World by Tom BurgisMovies: The Swimmers, No Other Land, The Seed of the Sacred FigKingdoms of Faith A New History of Islamic Spain by Brian A. Catlos   This podcast was recorded on March 4th 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Niku Popescu, a Distinguished Policy Fellow at ECFR and former Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, discusses the urgent implications of the U.S. pausing aid to Ukraine. He highlights the pressure European nations face to boost their support amid uncertainty. The conversation delves into the complexities of transatlantic relations, the dynamics of military aid under Trump's fluctuating policies, and the pressing need for a robust European defense strategy. Popescu also addresses the risks of a hastily negotiated peace deal and its potential impact on regional stability.

Jana Puglierin, head of ECFR's Berlin office, and Piotr Buras, head of ECFR's Warsaw office, offer deep insights into the aftermath of Germany's federal elections. They discuss the potential formation of a coalition government and the implications for European unity. With shifting alliances, how might Franco-German and Polish-German relations evolve? The podcast also critiques Germany's migration policy and explores how a new government could redefine its role in European defense and political dynamics, all while reflecting on the literary themes shaping these discussions.