Brussels Playbook Podcast

Afleveringen

1. Inside America's midterm election battle

   30 oktober 2026 · 47 min

   Afspelen
   America is heading to the polls for the midterm elections — and Europe is watching closely. With the outcome set to have consequences far beyond Washington, from trade to defense, we're bringing you a special episode of The Conversation, hosted by POLITICO's Dasha Burns. Lees meer

   Dasha sits down with two political strategists working behind the scenes in some of America's most consequential races: Republican T.W. Arrighi and Democrat Lis Smith. They take stock of the race, reveal what goes into running a high-stakes campaign and explore what's shaping the battle for American voters.

   If you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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2. The great EU-Canada lovefest

   29 oktober 2026 · 18 min

   Afspelen
   European leaders are descending on Montreal in a bid to forge closer ties with Canada. Lees meer

   On today's show, host Zoya Sheftalovich catches up with Sarah Wheaton, who's on the ground at the EU-Canada summit. They unpack what the talks could actually deliver — from defense and critical raw materials to space and AI — and the Trump-shaped shadow hanging over it all.

   Next, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen may be here in Montreal, but back in Brussels, questions remain about her role in the EU's Covid vaccine deal with Pfizer.

   Finally: Eurovision has revealed its 2027 lineup — but the row over Israel's participation is far from over.

   Questions, comments? Please write in! Find us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

   Articles mentioned in this episode:

   Our EU-Canada summit live blog.

   ⁠EU and Canada eye golden window to Trump-proof their ties.

   Eurovision confirms candidates for 2027 — but 2 EU countries are still on the fence.

   EU Public Prosecutor’s Office will be ‘killed softly for doing its job,’ says outgoing chief.

   This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
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3. The Putin call dividing EU leaders

   28 oktober 2026 · 19 min

   Afspelen
   Europe's united front on Ukraine is showing cracks. Lees meer

   Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have opened a direct line to Vladimir Putin, drawing criticism from some fellow European leaders — even as Ukraine backs their efforts. Nicholas Vinocur and Paul Dallison examine the fallout and the growing scramble over who gets to speak for Europe in peace talks.

   Also on the pod: Brussels unveils a sweeping overhaul of Frontex, giving the EU border agency a much bigger role in deportations, new powers to monitor social media and plans for a major expansion.

   And after a summer of devastating heatwaves and wildfires, the European Commission wants governments to prepare for a world that's three degrees hotter than preindustrial levels.

   Finally, you can see the ghostly turnip that freaked Nick out here. And if you have someone spooky in mind for Paul's story on the figures haunting the EU bubble, please write in! Find us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

   Articles mentioned in this episode:

   Leaders of Finland and Norway hold direct talks with Putin.

   EU prepares for a grim future with new climate-proofing law.

   Frontex gets power to track migration talk on social media.

   Frontex set for new powers to deport beyond EU borders in latest overhaul.

   This summer’s heat was Europe’s deadliest on record, scientists say.

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4. Inside von der Leyen's Commission shake-up

   27 oktober 2026 · 17 min

   Afspelen
   Ursula von der Leyen’s plan to slim down and reorganize the European Commission moves a step closer, with outside advisers calling for a stronger center, fewer bureaucratic silos and potentially far-reaching changes to some of Brussels’ most powerful departments. Then, after Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur ask whether a new government can revive the country’s stalled EU path — and whether Brussels has some lessons to learn. Plus, tobacco lobbying in the European Parliament has surged just as the EU rewrites its smoking and nicotine rules. Lees meer

   Finally, are you on team pumpkin decoration or team pumpkin carving? Nick has strong feelings; let us know yours! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

   Articles mentioned in this episode:

   "Von der Leyen’s big Commission shake-up moves a step closer."

   "How Big Tobacco lobbies EU lawmakers."

   "Belgium postpones terrace smoking ban."

   This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
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5. It’s complicated: The status of EU-Canada relations

   26 oktober 2026 · 17 min

   Afspelen
   Canada and the EU want a much closer relationship — but they still disagree over what that relationship actually is. Lees meer

   Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur look ahead to this week’s EU-Canada summit in Montreal, where leaders are still negotiating the language, the label and the practical deliverables.

   Then, Ukraine’s growing financing needs are colliding with the fight over the EU’s next seven-year budget, as some countries resist taking part in another common loan.

   And finally, Brussels’ battle over meat-related names takes an unexpected turn — with bacon-flavoured crisps caught in the crossfire.

   If you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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6. Can Europe save the world's war crimes court from Trump?

   23 oktober 2026 · 30 min

   Afspelen
   U.S. President Donald Trump has the world’s war crimes court in his crosshairs. Lees meer

   By sanctioning the entire International Criminal Court, his administration is threatening its ability to function. Europe has rushed to the court’s defense — but can it actually protect it from American financial power? And how far is the European Union willing to go to confront Washington when it still relies so heavily on the U.S. for its own security?

   Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by European Parliament lawmaker Dirk Gotink and Atlantic Council sanctions expert Lize de Kruijf to discuss Europe’s options, its dependence on the U.S. dollar and American technology and whether the EU can stand up for international justice.

   If you have any questions or comments, send us a message on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

   This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar
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7. Who speaks for Europe in the Ukraine peace talks?

   22 oktober 2026 · 16 min

   Afspelen
   As the U.S. pushes to revive peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, a question is causing tensions in Brussels: Who actually speaks for the EU? Lees meer

   Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton examine the growing influence of Ursula von der Leyen’s powerful chief of staff, Björn Seibert, and why Finnish President Alexander Stubb may be eyeing a bigger role.

   Then, have you ever received a suspicious message from Booking.com? The European Commission has launched an investigation into whether the travel platform is doing enough to protect customers from scams and fraudulent listings.

   Finally, Brussels rolls out the diplomatic red carpet for 19 new ambassadors. From Britain and Canada to Ukraine and India, we meet some of the fresh faces arriving on the EU diplomatic scene.

   If you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

   Articles mentioned in this episode:

   “EU probes Booking.com over scamming concerns”

   “Witkoff to Putin: ‘You are a humanitarian … I salute that’”

   “Russia ready for 3-way talks on Ukraine war, Kremlin says”

   This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
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8. Brussels goes looking for billions to fund Ukraine

   21 oktober 2026 · 17 min

   Afspelen
   With Washington's support for Kyiv increasingly uncertain, Brussels is looking to its allies to help keep Ukraine afloat. The price tag: €70 billion. Lees meer

   On today's show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson discuss how the EU hopes to persuade Canada, Britain and Japan to help foot the bill — and whether closer trade and defense ties could be part of the bargain.

   Then, Germany's far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel is in Strasbourg to present her vision for a radically different European Union.

   And who owns your face and voice in the age of AI? As deepfakes become increasingly convincing, MEPs are pushing for new protections.

   If you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

   Articles mentioned in this episode:

   “AfD’s Alice Weidel to unveil plan to downsize the EU.”

   “Socialists push for EU law on deepfakes.”

   “EU to press Canada and UK for more Ukraine funding.”

   This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
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9. Macron and Merz edge closer to a budget deal

   20 oktober 2026 · 18 min

   Afspelen
   The Arctic is becoming a geopolitical battleground — and the EU wants a bigger role. Lees meer

   The European Commission is unveiling a new strategy focused on security, as Russia builds up its military presence, China explores new shipping routes, and Donald Trump's Greenland ambitions raise tensions.

   Also on the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur discuss signs of progress in the EU's long-term budget negotiations: Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz appear to be finding common ground, while Kaja Kallas warns that proposed cuts could undermine Europe's global influence.

   And finally, could that designer handbag on Vinted be stolen? France investigates suspicious listings following a weekend of riots and looting.

   If you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

   This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
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10. Trump's Russia rethink — and Europe's response

    19 oktober 2026 · 17 min

    Afspelen
    Donald Trump’s latest moves on Russia and Ukraine have alarmed Kyiv and European capitals alike. But rather than scrambling to contain the fallout, EU leaders are keeping their cool. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur explore Europe’s strategy for weathering Trump’s midterm storm — and what it means for Ukraine. Lees meer

    Then, France reels from a weekend of violent protests, with more than 1,800 arrests and widespread destruction. As political leaders trade accusations, we look at how the unrest is shaping the battle ahead of the 2027 presidential election from Paris.

    Plus, hackers turn supermarket fridges into heaters, exposing some surprisingly basic cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

    If you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

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