Podcast Selection

Episode 16: COP26, the state of play

September 2021 saw a series of significant diplomatic events which could be key to successful climate negotiations at COP26. Now with mere weeks to go before the main event, attention is increasing on the major…

EU–Western Balkans Summit, U.S. Budget Talks, and More

European Union and Balkan leaders hold a summit amid rising Kosovo-Serbia tensions, the U.S. Congress reaches a critical budget deadline, and the postponed Expo 2020 kicks off in Dubai.

The subtext of France and Australia’s submarine deal

It was supposed to be an announcement of a pact, not the start of a foreign relations crisis between allies. But as Australia announced a new security partnership with the UK and the US, dubbed…

Sunday September 26: A Democratic showdown on Capitol Hill

Democrats are split as they head into a critical week on Capitol Hill: moderates and progressives can't agree on the scope or price tag of the reconciliation bill that addresses everything from climate change to…

Unboxing the State of the Union 2021

"In this Sound of Economics Live episode, Bruegel experts look at the State of the Union address delivered by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. On 15 September Ursula von der Leyen,…

Does the Global Economic Recovery Depend on Southeast Asia?

Economist Trinh Nguyen joins Doug this week to discuss Southeast Asia and the future of the global economic recovery.

The Exchange: American-EU relations return to warm

After four frosty years, Washington and Brussels are back to cooperation on foreign and economic policy, with some big trade wins already on the scoreboard, Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis tells Rob Cox in an interview hosted…

Kyiv’s relations with Europe in the age of Nord Stream 2

Ukraine and the EU recently opened a new chapter in their strategic relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding for closer cooperation in raw materials, green and digital technologies. Making Ukraine part of the European…

Episode 15: Can the G20 act on climate change?

The G20 - an international gathering of leaders from 19 major states and the European Union - has a significant role to play in coordinating global action on climate change. Accounting for around two-thirds of…

A social democratic vision of German foreign policy

With Angela Merkel stepping down as Chancellor, the next German federal elections scheduled for this September promise to mark a turning point for Germany. Foreign policy issues promise to be a crucial part of the…

The politics of classifying nuclear power in the EU; and 10 years of UK Bribery Act

The green credentials of nuclear power have come under recent scrutiny in the European Union, as the bloc ponders whether to label as environmentally friendly investment in the industry. The argument of what’s referred to…

Are NATO Allies on the Same Page?

Underneath the public face of unity at this week’s NATO meetings, potential disagreements and fissures between the United States and its European allies could significantly complicate the US’ return to the global stage. Council President…