The ban threat facing Europe's far right
Europe’s far right is yet again under the microscope as a European Parliament watchdog moves to ban the Alternative for Germany’s EU party. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss ho...
28 Touko 15min
Kallas, von der Leyen and the rivalry over EU intelligence
Brussels is beefing up its intelligence machinery. Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson talk about the growing role of INTCEN — the EU’s little-known intelligence-analysis hub inside the European Ex...
27 Touko 15min
Should Europe talk to Putin?
Europe is still reeling from the recent drone incursions into Baltic airspace. In a show of solidarity, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius are in Lith...
26 Touko 15min
From the Baltic to the Balkans: Putin is testing European leaders
There’s an ominous backdrop to this year’s GLOBSEC forum in Prague as the war in Ukraine strays into the skies over NATO’s Eastern flank. The last few weeks have seen an increasing number of drone inc...
22 Touko 34min
Why are drones suddenly terrifying Europe?
With drone alerts, emergency shelters and fighter jets over the Baltics, Europe’s security fears suddenly feel much less theoretical at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague. On the ground in Czechia for the B...
21 Touko 16min
Brussels wanted less red tape. It hasn't proved as easy as that.
Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room. As the EU races ahead with its deregulation drive, concerns are growing over rushed lawmaking, weaker sa...
20 Touko 14min
Budapest and Kyiv break the ice
After years of Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocking Ukraine’s path to join the EU, Budapest and Kyiv are talking again. That has Brussels wondering if Hungary might finally be softeni...
19 Touko 14min
Why Brussels is getting tougher on China
The European Commission is preparing to take a much tougher line on China, we hear on this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, with Zoya Sheftalovich joined by Nick Vinocur. Brussels is growing ...
18 Touko 15min
