Best Mark Leonards World In 30 Minutes Podcasts (2024)

1
Russia’s playbook in Georgia and Moldova 40:40

40m ago40:40

40:40

The recent elections in Georgia and Moldova were marred by significant Russian interference, including disinformation campaigns and vote-buying. As the Kremlin seeks to undermine the candidate countries’ EU futures, Brussels needs to take action. This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Tefta Kelmendi, deputy director of the ECFR Wider Europe Programme, an…

1
China’s trade challenges for the European economy 35:45

7d ago35:45

35:45

EU member states have voted to implement proposed tariffs of up to 45 per cent on Chinese electric vehicles. Germany was among five member states to vote against this, isolating itself among its counterparts. In response to the vote, China imposed anti-dumping measures on European brandy imports. But if geopolitical tensions escalate, the EU’s most…

1
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis 32:36

13d ago32:36

32:36

Since the Sudanese civil war began in 2023, millions of people have been displaced, and thousands killed or injured: as European governments focus on crises in the Middle East and Ukraine, the brutal conflict has led to a humanitarian catastrophe. Now, while various actors such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United States variously mediate in Suda…

1
Regional war in the Middle East: Anatomy of conflict one year after 7 October 34:48

24d ago34:48

34:48

One year on from the murderous attacks of 7 October 2023, the Middle East is in the middle of an escalating regional war. This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of ECFR’s MENA programme; Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of ECFR’s MENA programme and Iran expert; and Hugh Lovatt, senior policy fellow in ECFR’s MENA programme …

1
Kamala Harris and the future of US foreign policy 39:01

27d ago39:01

39:01

With only a month to go before the US election, much ink has been spilled writing about how US foreign policy might change if Trump returned to the White House. This is made easier because there is a wealth of information out there for analysts to go on. Harris, on the other hand, is a bit of a foreign policy enigma. With little to no foreign polic…

1
Giorgia Meloni: Redefining Italy’s place in Europe and the world 33:06

1M ago33:06

33:06

Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni is playing a central role in the country’s recent significant political developments. Her right-wing coalition government, which is inter alia focused on tightening immigration policies and promoting an Italian nationalist agenda, continues to draw national and international attention – as well as derision. But…

1
Russia, Ukraine, and Europe’s war economy 34:22

2M ago34:22

34:22

After a period of stalemate between Russia and Ukraine, direct military action has recommenced. Heightened tensions have led to discussions on Europe’s readiness for a ‘war economy’ and the United States is also reportedly considering lifting its ban on Ukraine’s use of American weapons to strike Russian territory; the Kremlin has responded with it…

1
Germany, France, and the rise of Euroscepticism 38:41

2M ago38:41

38:41

It has been a momentous few weeks in German and French politics. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) won its first state election – and achieved the German far-right’s best result since the second world war – in Thuringia with 33% of the vote; in Saxony, it came a close second to the Christian Democratic Union. In France, after weeks of uncertainty c…

1
The world after the West: Sasha Gabuev and Mikhail Komin on Russia’s role in international organisations 37:13

2M ago37:13

37:13

Russia is influential in international organisations: a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it also participates in geoeconomic groups such as the G20, and BRICS+. Regionally, Russia leads the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. But relations with Western organisations such as NATO and the EU are strai…

1
Fatal attraction: Republicans and the future of Trump 30:47

2M ago30:47

30:47

In the run-up to America’s presidential election, ECFR’s US programme has launched a new podcast, “Swamp Chronicles”. The mini-series delves into the crucial discussions and deeper issues shaping the election, and moves beyond the usual campaign headlines to explores its potential impact on US foreign policy – and on Europe. Swamp Chronicles is hos…

1
The world after the West: Lynn Kuok on south-east Asia 38:32

2M ago38:32

38:32

South-east Asia is a culturally and geographically diverse region, notable for its proximity and economic ties to China. Though the political structure of the region’s 11 countries varies from democracy to autocracy, many cooperate through organisations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Comprehensive and Progressive Ag…

1
The World after the West: Alex Velez-Green on the United States 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

In American foreign policy debates, prioritisers argue that the US should focus on deterring Chinese expansion, consequently shifting its resources away from Europe and towards the Indo-Pacific. But questions are also emerging about the US presence in the Middle East, as well as the country’s commitment to NATO – which the looming election has thro…

1
The world after the West: Rana Mitter on China 34:22

3M ago34:22

34:22

In recent years, China has overtaken the United States as the largest trading partner of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Not only has Beijing played a bigger role in the region’s economic order, it is also taking the lead in creating new institutions in Asia. China is known for BRICS or its eponymous Shanghai Cooperation Organi…

1
East meets West in Ankara: Inside the prisoner swap with Russia 30:34

3M ago30:34

30:34

The prisoner exchange between the West and Russia last week was the largest swap since the end of the cold war. At Turkey’s Ankara airport, Russia and Belarus released 16 detainees, while the United States, Poland, Germany, Slovenia, and Norway released 8. In this week’s Europe in 30 Minutes special episode, deputy director of ECFR Vessela Tchernev…

1
The world after the West: Matias Spektor on Brazil 36:00

3M ago36:00

36:00

Brazil is a middle-power powerhouse. The largest and most populous country in Latin America, this founding member of BRICS+ wields strong cultural, economic, and diplomatic influence among other middle powers and beyond. No assessment of non-Western powers would be complete without a trip to Brazil. In this episode of our special Re:Order series, M…

1
China’s new ideas: People, power, progress 44:33

3M ago44:33

44:33

Following two years of research, ECFR has released its new book, “The Idea of China: Chinese Thinkers on Power, Progress, and People”. Whether demography, AI, feminism, or green transition philosophies, “The Idea of China” seeks to enhance Western understanding of the current discourses and debates within China. After all, a Chinese perspective on …

1
The world after the West: Pramit Pal Chaudhuri on India 42:43

3M ago42:43

42:43

As a founding member of BRICS and a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, India is a leading middle power. With its strategic geographic and economic position, and historical associations with the nonaligned movement, India cannot be ignored when discussing the world’s rapidly shifting global order. In this episode of ‘The world after th…

1
NATO at 75: The future of European defence 32:36

4M ago32:36

32:36

The 75th NATO summit has begun. Taking place in Washington, this year the conference welcomes new member country, Sweden, with talks focusing on how NATO allies can continue to defend Ukraine from Russian attacks. But, with a presidential election looming in November, it is unclear what the United States’ future position on NATO will be – and, if t…

1
The far-right falters: Outcomes of the French snap election 33:44

4M ago33:44

33:44

Against all the odds and polls, the French far-right party National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, landed in third place in the second round of the French snap election. And in a runner-up upset for President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance, the left-wing alliance New Popular Front took the lead with 182 seats. In thi…

1
Victory and visions: Labour’s approach to the EU 31:37

4M ago31:37

31:37

After 14 years of Conservative government in the United Kingdom, the Labour Party is back. Dissatisfaction with economic and tax policies, various political scandals, and a growing distrust in the Conservative leadership have all contributed to a Labour majority in the UK parliament. And, while the new Labour-led cabinet has already distanced itsel…

1
The World after the West: Nasser Hadian on Iran 36:40

4M ago36:40

36:40

Iran plays a key role in the global order. The leadership in Tehran asserts Iran’s role in the Middle East through the backing of allied groups, most notably Hizbullah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, on the global stage, its nuclear program has positioned Iran as an adversary of the West, and as a result the country faces heavy economic sanctions. In the se…

1
The World After the West: Ayşe Zarakol on Turkey 26:40

5M ago26:40

26:40

A growth in membership to organisations such as BRICS+, the New Development Bank, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation demonstrates the continued rise of ‘middle powers’ – countries which belong to neither the West nor the global south but play a significant role in the developing world order. This week, the World in 30 Minutes kicks off its n…

1
Europe is shifting: EU election results could divide Europe 37:49

5M ago37:49

37:49

The results of the European Parliament elections show varying trends across the EU. As predicted by experts in the build-up, Europe’s far-right parties made substantial gains– most notably in France, Germany, and Italy – while election fatigue plagued Bulgaria; the EU election saw its population head to the polls for the sixth time in three years, …

1
NATO and beyond: America’s domestic politics and Ukraine 32:05

5M ago32:05

32:05

How is America’s domestic politics impacting the war in Ukraine? Last week, the Biden administration authorised Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike within Russia’s borders – but, beyond July’s NATO Summit, the United States’ long-term strategy is unclear. As well as how the Biden administration’s response to Ukraine might develop, this unc…

1
The Great Firewall: How China regulates big tech 29:03

5M ago29:03

29:03

In the past couple of decades, China has produced a multitude of big tech giants. Companies like Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance and others are well on their way to becoming household names, unique in their ability to rival their American counterparts, such as Amazon, Google, or Microsoft. Still, their relationship with the Chinese state is far from fr…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Mark Leonards World In 30 Minutes Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

ECFR

1
The world, Europe and covid-19

ECFR

1
Russia’s playbook in Georgia and Moldova 40:40

1
China’s trade challenges for the European economy 35:45

1
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis 32:36

1
Regional war in the Middle East: Anatomy of conflict one year after 7 October 34:48

1
Kamala Harris and the future of US foreign policy 39:01

1
Giorgia Meloni: Redefining Italy’s place in Europe and the world 33:06

1
Russia, Ukraine, and Europe’s war economy 34:22

1
Germany, France, and the rise of Euroscepticism 38:41

1
The world after the West: Sasha Gabuev and Mikhail Komin on Russia’s role in international organisations 37:13

1
Fatal attraction: Republicans and the future of Trump 30:47

1
The world after the West: Lynn Kuok on south-east Asia 38:32

1
The World after the West: Alex Velez-Green on the United States 32:41

1
The world after the West: Rana Mitter on China 34:22

1
East meets West in Ankara: Inside the prisoner swap with Russia 30:34

1
The world after the West: Matias Spektor on Brazil 36:00

1
China’s new ideas: People, power, progress 44:33

1
The world after the West: Pramit Pal Chaudhuri on India 42:43

1
NATO at 75: The future of European defence 32:36

1
The far-right falters: Outcomes of the French snap election 33:44

1
Victory and visions: Labour’s approach to the EU 31:37

1
The World after the West: Nasser Hadian on Iran 36:40

1
The World After the West: Ayşe Zarakol on Turkey 26:40

1
Europe is shifting: EU election results could divide Europe 37:49

1
NATO and beyond: America’s domestic politics and Ukraine 32:05

1
The Great Firewall: How China regulates big tech 29:03

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