Brussels Playbook Podcast

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.

**A message from Amazon: Across Europe, businesses are growing with the AWS Cloud to build innovative, scalable products. From Europe’s largest enterprises and government agencies to the continent’s fastest growing startups, learn more about how AWS Cloud is helping businesses across Europe grow at ⁠⁠AWS.eu⁠⁠.**
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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. 

**A message from Amazon: Across Europe, businesses are growing with the AWS Cloud to build innovative, scalable products. From Europe’s largest enterprises and government agencies to the continent’s fastest growing startups, learn more about how AWS Cloud is helping businesses across Europe grow at ⁠⁠⁠⁠AWS.eu⁠⁠⁠⁠.**
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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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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.

**A message from Amazon: Across Europe, businesses are growing with the AWS Cloud to build innovative, scalable products. From Europe’s largest enterprises and government agencies to the continent’s fastest growing startups, learn more about how AWS Cloud is helping businesses across Europe grow at ⁠AWS.eu⁠.**
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“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.

**A message from Amazon: Across Europe, businesses are growing with the AWS Cloud to build innovative, scalable products. From Europe’s largest enterprises and government agencies to the continent’s fastest growing startups, learn more about how AWS Cloud is helping businesses across Europe grow at ⁠AWS.eu⁠.**

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