EU Untangled

Rare earths power the technologies we rely on every day, from smartphones and electric vehicles to wind turbines, advanced weapons systems, and AI infrastructure. Yet despite their growing importance, Europe remains heavily dependent on supplies and processing capacity controlled by a handful of countries, especially China. What happens when access to these critical materials becomes a geopolitical bargaining chip?

The episode traces the extraordinary life of Robert Schuman: Europe's architect.

As the sound of jingle bells draws ever nearer, Victor and Alex take you on a rollercoaster ride of the EU’s highs and lows of the past 12 months. Untangle with us a year of consequential elections, trade headaches, an increased focus on security and deregulation, a major new multi-annual budget for the EU and two failed attempts to oust the European Commission’s president. Tune in for the year untangled – the quick and dirty recap you didn’t know you needed to cheer goodbye to 2025.

What does it actually take to join the European Union, and why does the path to membership often resemble entry into one of the world’s most demanding clubs? In this episode of EU Untangled, Victor and Alex explore the EU’s enlargement history, why countries seek membership, the political and economic conditions they must meet, and how the accession process unfolds. The episode also examines what membership requires in practice, why expulsion is not foreseen in the treaties, and how withdrawal works when a member chooses to leave. Finally, it looks ahead at the rationale for further enlargement, the EU’s potential limits, and the scenarios that could shape its future.

What is money in the digital age? Cash, cards, crypto - and now central bank digital currencies. The European Central Bank is working on a digital euro, a new form of central bank-backed money meant to boost Europe’s autonomy, competitiveness, and innovation. In this episode, we explore how a digital euro might work in practice, what benefits it could bring, and why its current design risks falling short. Is this a bold step into the future of payments or a missed chance to rethink Europe's financial system? Whether you’re curious about the future of cash, the rise of digital payments, or Europe’s place in the global financial system, this episode breaks down what’s at stake as the euro goes digital.