Brussels Playbook Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The EU's energy dilemma Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Energy markets are on edge as Iran tensions disrupt shipping and threaten supply shocks. EU foreign ministers and energy ministers meet in Brussels to discuss what the bloc can actually do to protect global energy flows — and whether it has the tools to act.

Meanwhile, Norway is positioning itself as a reliable energy lifeline as the geopolitical turmoil puts security of supply back in focus.

And the U.K.'s Brexit minister is in town as the EU asks Britain to lower the tuition fees it charges students from the bloc before Brussels and London can move forward with a "Brexit reset."

Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson break it all down.

If you have questions for us, or want to share your thoughts on the show, you can reach us on our WhatsApp at +32 491 05 06 29.

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Europe should back American strikes on Iran, says key Merz ally Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

The mixed messages by President Trump and his administration about how long the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran will last have unnerved allies and shaken European markets. Two weeks into the conflict, EU capitals are asking when it will end and how they can influence what comes next — none more so than Berlin.

In this week's episode, host Anne McElvoy talks to a key ally of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Norbert Röttgen. A longstanding member of the Bundestag, a former chair of its Foreign Affairs Committee and a minister in Angela Merkel’s government, Röttgen is a strong believer in the Atlantic alliance.

He urges European leaders to speak with one voice on the war in Iran — and give qualified backing to the American-led strikes. We Europeans have to put our act together in order to be a relevant actor,” he tells Anne. “We are past the old post-war order. We have not seen the establishment of a new order … and if we are to give up on the United States, we are to give up on the West.”

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Zelenskyy vs. Orbán Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging Europe to find a way around Hungary.

In an interview with POLITICO’s Gordon Repinski, Zelenskyy called on EU leaders to come up with a “Plan B” to secure Ukraine’s long-term funding — and to work around what he described as the “blackmail” of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is holding up a promised €90 billion EU loan (listen to full interview here).

Host Zoya Sheftalovich and policy editor Sarah Wheaton break down the tensions inside the EU and what options Europe may have if Hungary continues to block support for Kyiv, as Orbán has repeatedly complicated EU decisions on Ukraine.

Also on the podcast: The EU is moving toward banning AI “nudification” tools after a scandal involving Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot showed how easily AI can generate sexualized deepfakes of real people.

Plus: Eurovision politics. Belgian artists and activists are planning an alternative music event during Eurovision week to protest Israel’s participation in the contest.

If you have questions for us, or want to share what you think about the show, you can reach us on our WhatsApp at +32 491 05 06 29.

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Europe’s plan to keep Ukraine afloat Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Ukraine is running out of money to fight Russia — but Hungary still isn’t budging on its opposition to the EU’s €90 billion loan to Kyiv.

On today’s episode, host Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson, senior finance reporter, outline some of the contingency plans European countries have up their sleeves to get Ukraine the funding it needs before it’s too late.

Also on the podcast, POLITICO’s Karl Mathiesen has interviewed Frank Furedi, who runs MCC Brussels, a think tank linked to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. The Hungarian-born sociologist argues Europe’s rising populist right may not be ready for power — Zoya and Kathryn try to understand why.

Finally, a 350-page report published today by the EU’s climate advisers lays out recommendations to tackle the carbon footprint of the agriculture sector … but don’t expect a warm response from farmers.

Do you have questions or comments for our hosts? Send a message or a voice note to our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29.

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Europe braces for an energy crisis Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

European leaders haunted by memories of the 2022 energy crisis are bracing for impact as the war in the Middle East begins to drive up oil and gas prices.

Today on the podcast, host Zoya Sheftalovich and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Nicholas Vinocur discuss what tools the EU has at its disposal to soften the blow for consumers — is the bloc better prepared than it was four years ago?

Later on: A rocky relationship is on the mend. The European Parliament’s two largest political groups — the European People’s Party and the Socialists and Democrats — are hoping dinner dates can resolve the bad blood between them.

Plus, what part of Belgium is the happiest? Stick around until the end to find out.

Thoughts? Comments? Send us a message or a voice note to our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29.

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Von der Leyen accused of overreach Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Some European governments are arguing Commission President Ursula von der Leyen overstepped her mandate in her response to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

On today’s episode, host Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur, POLITICO's chief foreign affairs correspondent, unpack the frustration they’re hearing from national diplomats who argue the latest Middle East crisis has seen von der Leyen wading onto their turf — and not for the first time.

Meanwhile, ministers will meet in Brussels today for an informal debate on the continent’s housing crisis. We break down how dire the situation is and why tackling this issue is a priority for governments looking to stave off the far right.

Finally, a slew of public transport hiccups in Brussels could make life harder for commuters ... what else is new?

Send us an idiom from your country or any other comments/questions to our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29.

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How Europe survives when there are no rules Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

For decades, Europeans shared a simple belief: that the world — however messy — ultimately runs on rules.

But what if the escalating war in Iran shows that these rules no longer apply?

In this episode of EU Confidential, host Sarah Wheaton speaks to two foreign affairs experts who help unpack how the ongoing crisis in the Middle East impacts Europe.

Mark Leonard, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations and author of the forthcoming book “Surviving Chaos: Geopolitics When the Rules Fail,” argues the Iranian conflict is a good example of a world increasingly defined by “un-order.”

Meanwhile, Rym Momtaz, editor-in-chief of Strategic Europe at Carnegie Europe and a longtime observe of European and Middle East politics, helps us understand Europe's response to the U.S.-Israeli strikes in a wider geopolitical context.

If you have thoughts or questions about the podcast, you can reach us on our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29.

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Iran war: Europe weighs migration risk Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

A controversial new idea on EU enlargement is stirring debate in Brussels. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton unpack a proposal known as“reverse enlargement,” as the European Commission tests how far EU capitals are willing to go to speed up Ukraine’s path toward the bloc.

Meanwhile, the war in Iran looms over two meetings in Brussels: EU foreign ministers hold talks with their Gulf counterparts about the escalating conflict, while home affairs ministers discuss deportations policy and how Europe should prepare if instability in the region leads to more people seeking safety in the EU.

And finally: The European Commission is experimenting with AI to test whether EU policies are fair to future generations.

Plus a surprise dispatch from Berlin from Ian Wishart on Germany’s upcoming elections.
If you have thoughts or questions about the podcast, you can reach us on our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29.

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The making of 'Made in Europe' Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

“Made in Europe” is finally here.

After four delays and fierce internal battles, the European Commission unveils its Industrial Accelerator Act — a plan aimed at challenging China’s dominance in clean tech and tilting public procurement toward EU-made products.

Ian Wishart and senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson break down what the push really means: Who stands to benefit, who fears creeping protectionism, and whether Brussels is turning inward at a fragile moment for global trade.

Meanwhile, the Iran war is already pushing up gas prices and shipping insurance costs — and splitting Europe’s far right.

Plus: The EU manages to mess up its translator exam … again.
We’d love to hear from you. Tell us what you think about the podcast, suggest a topic we should cover, or let us know where — and when — you like to listen. You can reach us at our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29.

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Caught between wars Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Europe is no longer watching the conflict in the Middle East from a distance — it’s directly entangled.

Iranian missiles flying over Cyprus. EU leaders divided over messaging. Von der Leyen and Kallas on parallel tracks. And Germany’s chancellor in Washington trying to shape the transatlantic line.

Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart break down the EU’s crisis response, the battle over who speaks for Europe, and the ripple effects for Ukraine — from enlargement to defense.

And finally — is Brussels a haven or a punchline?

On that last one — we’d love to hear from you. Are you a Brussels enthusiast, a skeptic, or somewhere in between? Send us a voice note or a message on WhatsApp at: +32 491 05 06 29.

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