Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

This week, ECFR director Mark Leonard concludes his deep-dive podcast series into the political universe of the “post-liberal revolution”. Throughout the series, Mark has interviewed prominent individuals across national conservative movements and “new right” politics, aiming to unpack the values behind its roots and ideas.The last episode, which Mark recorded at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, features remarks from various MAGA figures such as Thomas Homan and Steve Bannon. How do the “new right” MAGA politicians perceive traditional Republicans? Why are tariffs and re-industrialisation at the heart of national conservative strategy? And which disagreements arose when discussing foreign policy?This podcast was recorded on September 10th 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Mark Leonard is joined by Balázs Orbán, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s (no relation) political director since 2021. He is also chairman of the board at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium. Previously, Balázs was minister of state in the prime minister’s office and director general of the Migration Research Institute in Budapest. Together, Mark and Balázs explore the latter’s intellectual journey that resulted in his inclusion in Orbán's cabinet. They also discuss how the national conservative movement developed in Europe and Hungary, where Orbán’s party Fidesz was at the forefront of the “new right”. What are the key concepts underpinning Hungary’s national conservatism? Has the right-wing movement in Europe developed in Hungary’s image? Will the European Parliament’s Patriots for Europe group become mainstream in EU politics? And how is this “new politics” restructuring power in Europe?  This podcast was recorded on September 2nd 2025. Bookshelf: Regime Change: Towards a Postliberal Future by Patrick Deneen  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Mark Leonard is joined by Hélène De Lauzun, Paris correspondent for the European Conservative and author of L'histoire de l'Autriche (The History of Austria), to discuss the historical roots and modern expressions of conservatism in France. Together, Mark and Hélène explore her intellectual journey as a historian emphasising France’s pre-Revolutionary legacy, the fragmentation of conservatism into Bonapartist, liberal, Catholic and counter-revolutionary traditions, and how figures like Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen reflect or challenge these ideals. Amid France's polarised landscape, what unites or divides conservative thought today? Can conservatism reclaim its historical depth in a nation increasingly defined by secularism and globalism? And is the rise of the National Rally a true conservative revival—or a populist deviation? This podcast was recorded on Ausgust 28, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode of ECFR’s summer mini-series on the “New Right”, Mark Leonard is joined by Gladden Pappin, president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, co-founder and deputy editor of American Affairs Journal and co-founder of the online magazine Post-Liberal Order. Gladden's intellectual journey illustrates the transnational nature of contemporary political thought. Together, Mark and Gladdon explore the current state of the liberal international order and the recent shift in EU-US relations; and how post-liberalism as a direct response to the failures of liberalism highlights the need for greater understanding of new conservative perspectives—particularly in Europe.  What exactly is emerging to replace the old liberal international order? How do these emerging alliances create a space for different people to exchange ideas? And to what extent is this new political sensibility, which is spreading around the continent, challenging European politics as we know it?  This episode was recorded on July 17th 2025 Bookshelf: Regime Change: Towards a Postliberal Future by Patrick Deneen  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Mark Leonard is joined by Rod Dreher, a visiting fellow and Network Project director at the Danube Institute in Budapest, and former senior editor at The American Conservative. Draher is also a writer—his latest book, “Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents” is based on the experiences of Christians persecuted in Soviet Russia. Together, Mark and Rod discuss the shifting political landscape as characterised by a backlash against liberalism, the rise of right-wing movements, economic discontent among the working class, the implications of “forever wars”, and the challenges of supporting the idea of free speech in contemporary society.But which main factors are driving this shift? What impact do culture and religion have on political discourse? And could liberal democratic values survive a global move towards right-wing movements? This episode was recorded on 13th August 2025Bookshelf:Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America by Christian Smith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode of ECFR’s summer mini-series on the “New Right”, Mark Leonard is joined by Yoram Hazony, Israeli political scientist, president of the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem and chairman of the Edmund Burke Foundation, to explore the emergence of national conservatism as a response to the perceived crisis of liberalism. In their conversation, Mark and Yoram discuss the historical context of nationalism and its implications for modern politics, as well as the generational shifts that are influencing political ideologies today.Which new political frameworks are emerging from the “crisis” of liberalism? How can political theory adapt to the changing landscape of global politics? And is there the potential for nationalism to reshape democratic discourse?This episode was recorded on 30th July 2025Bookshelf:  The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies by Richard LegutkoWhy Liberalism Failed by Patrick J. DeneenReturn of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West by Rusty Reno Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The re-election of President Donald Trump and the recent successes of right-wing parties across the world are posing a challenge to the established political order. With overwhelming evidence that we are living through a political Zeitenwende, this summer ECFR is taking a deep dive into the “post-liberal revolution”—starting with a new podcast series on the so-called “New Right”. In the first episode, Mark Leonard is joined by Ivan Krastev, founding board member of ECFR, chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences at IWM Vienna. Mark and Ivan discuss the emergence of the New Right and its implications for liberalism and European politics. After all, only by understanding how the New Right develops and frames its ideas can mainstream parties and institutions survive the transition to a potential new era of global politics. Does liberalism have a future? What is the nature of the main political challenges to the old order? And will the political parties of old adapt at this crucial juncture?This episode was recorded on July 21st 2025Bookshelf: The Life, Old Age, and Death of a Working-Class Woman by Didier Eribon   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Vessela Tcherneva, deputy director of ECFR, and Maria Simeonova, head of ECFR’s Sofia office, to discuss the deteriorating political situation in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is set to join the euro zone in 2026—but the country faces severe internal challenges. In a sign of mounting political instability, Bulgarians have gone to the polls seven times in five years. Powerful oligarchs wield increasing influence over state institutions, and are particularly using the judiciary to silence and target opposition figures. In June, former prime minister Kiril Petkov—an opposition leader and co-founder of the centrist We Continue the Change party—was forced to resign as an MP after being accused of corruption. Then, earlier this month, the opposition mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, was arrested on embezzlement charges following a questionable claim made by a businesswoman with close ties to the ruling centre-right GERB party.How can the EU confront the entanglement between oligarchs and state institutions in Bulgaria? How can the bloc prevent the kind of democratic backsliding witnessed in Hungary and, increasingly, Slovakia? And if more EU member states experience democratic decline, what impact could that have on the EU’s global image and credibility?This episode was recorded on July 24th, 2025.Bookshelf:Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek ThompsonLa Route antique des hommes pervers by René GirardSerbia’s Balancing Act: Between Russia and the West by Vuk Vuksanovic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR’s research director and head of its US programme, and Tom Wright, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Strobe Talbott Centre and former Biden administration official, for an episode recorded live at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. Mark, Jeremy and Tom discuss the forum’s tense atmosphere, marked by the Trump administration’s last-minute ban on Department of Defence participation. Amid debates on AI, supply chain resilience and geopolitical competition, the episode explores America’s inward turn and its wavering Ukraine commitment. What are the implications for Europe’s security? Is the US retreating from global leadership? And can Europe adapt to a fragmented technological and economic order?This episode was recorded on July 18th, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Hugh Lovatt, ECFR policy fellow, and Tahani Mustafa, visiting fellow in ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme, to discuss Israel’s military action in Gaza and the West Bank, the ensuing humanitarian crisis, and the political dynamics of Hamas, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Mark, Hugh and Tahani provide insights into the complexities of the conflict, the role of international actors, and the implications for Palestinian politics and public sentiment.In Gaza, over 57,000 people have been killed, the aid distribution system is chaotic and dangerous, and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas seem to go nowhere. All the while, Israel is expanding its presence in the West Bank by building settlements and expelling or detaining Palestinians. What’s next for Gaza and the West Bank? And how can Europe and the US step up to ensure the death toll does not grow even higher?This podcast was recorded on July 17th 2025.Out of Place by Edward W. SaidAssyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire by Eckart Frahm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Tobias Gehrke, ECFR senior policy fellow, for a 15-minute Emergency Room episode dissecting the collapse of an EU-US trade deal. President Donald Trump’s last-minute letter, threatening to impose tariffs of 30% on the EU by August 1st, shattered expectations of a negotiated settlement—and prompted EU member states to prepare a €93bn retaliation package which targets American goods. Mark and Tobias explore why Trump upended talks, the EU’s hesitation to deploy its anti-coercion instrument and the urgent need for political (not technocratic) engagement. As trade tensions collide with security priorities like Ukraine, can Europe wield its economic leverage to avert a full-blown trade war?The podcast was recorded on July 14th, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Jana Kobzova, ECFR senior policy fellow, and Camille Grand, ECFR distinguished policy fellow, to discuss ECFR’s new European Security Programme and the war in Ukraine. They take a “beyond the horizon” view of the war, considering what Europe’s medium- and long-term strategy towards Ukraine should look like. This links directly to the new programme’s mission, which was created as a response to the short-term thinking which characterises perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine war—and European security more broadly.  How might the conflict between Russia and Ukraine evolve over the coming months? What role is the US playing in this trajectory? And what kind of security environment can Europeans expect in the future?This episode was recorded on July 10th 2025. Bookshelf: Travels In Arabia Deserta by Charles M. Doughty.The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy and the Life of John Maynard Keynes by Zachary D. Carter.Preventing the next war: A European plan for Ukraine­ by Camille Grand, Jana Kobzova and Nicu Popescu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Henry Farrell, ECFR council member and professor at John Hopkins University, to discuss Henry’s new book “Underground Economy”, co-authored by Abraham Newman. In their take, globalisation has brought interdependence—which is being weaponised as a tool for strategic advantage. As the main facilitator of global interdependence, America exploits countries’ embeddedness in the US-led global order and uses its financial position to its own strategic advantage.  But what are the implications of America weaponising this interdependence? How can key actors exercise power in this hyperconnected system? And what challenges and opportunities does Europe face in this competitive and interconnected environment?  Bookshelf: Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy- Henry Farrell and Abe Newman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live from ECFR’s Annual Council Meeting 2025, this week’s podcast features Mark Leonard in conversation with Ivan Krastev, Chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and permanent fellow at the Institute of Human Sciences in Vienna, and Carl Bildt, former prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden as well as co-chair of ECFR’s council.They discuss the new ECFR report “Trump’s European revolution”, which draws on data from a new international opinion poll. The conversation explores how Donald Trump is transforming Europe’s geopolitical landscape and the identities of its political parties, fueling security fears and deepening divisions. They also examine how demographic shifts and immigration are changing societal attitudes and political dynamics across Europe.This podcast episode was recorded on June 27th 2025.Bookshelf:Trump’s European revolution, by Mark Leonard and Ivan Krastev Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Camille Grand, former NATO assistant secretary general and ECFR distinguished policy fellow, for a 15-minute Emergency Room episode dissecting the high-stakes NATO summit in The Hague. Against a turbulent geopolitical backdrop, world leaders navigated President Donald Trump’s push for a 5% GDP defence-spending target, their ongoing support for Ukraine, and Russia’s long-term threat. Mark and Camille explore the summit’s carefully choreographed outcomes, including a reaffirmed Article 5 commitment and no formal withdrawal of US troops—despite looming reviews of America’s presence in Europe. Can NATO balance Trump’s demands with European autonomy? Or is this merely a fragile truce among a shifting alliance?This episode was recorded on June 25th, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by the deputy director of ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme, Ellie Geranmayeh, and Eran Etzion, policy planning director for the Israeli foreign ministry and former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council.Mark and his guests break down how the conflict has developed since last Friday’s emergency podcast and explore possible future scenarios. The discussion looks at the conflict from the Israeli and the Iranian perspectives, taking into account also the reactions of G7 states and the likely US response. What are Israel’s and Iran’s options in the coming weeks and months? What might a diplomatic way out of the conflict look like? Is this even still a possibility? And what could the repercussions be if America decided to join the war in support of Israel?Bookshelf:“Autocracy, Inc.” by Anne ApplebaumEurope must act now to prevent a major war between Israel and Iran by Ellie Geranmayeh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Leonard is joined by Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa programme, for a 15-minute Emergency Room episode diving into Israel’s massive overnight attack on Iran. Using 200 fighter jets, Israel targeted over 100 military and nuclear sites, assassinating senior Iranian commanders and scientists. The result is a situation which is escalating far beyond October 2024’s tit-for-tat strikes. As Iran responds by launching drone attacks on Israel and debating broader retaliation, Mark and Ellie discuss the damage to Iran’s nuclear programme, the potential for a multi-layered Israeli campaign, and how the delicate US-Iran nuclear talks are now teetering on the brink of collapse. With Arab states condemning Israel and the US distancing itself from its ally’s actions, what can Europe do to avert a full-scale regional war? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A humanitarian crisis in Gaza; question marks around Iran; unstable governments in eastern Europe; and the growth of China’s economic and military might. All are cause for concern—and all provide the backdrop to the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy, which represents the biggest generational shift since the cold war. This week Mark Leonard is joined by Dan Caldwell, former senior adviser at the Pentagon, and Curt Mills, executive editor of the American Conservative, to talk about what is influencing Donald Trump’s foreign policy. The president, and many key players in defence, agree that constant military build-up and the steady accruing of debt—which has characterised foreign policy since Reagan—has left America with little to show. The prevailing ideology of conservative anti-globalism is characterised by the US paring back military presence outside the Western hemisphere and a “realist” approach to trade.But the administration has dissenting voices, in particular those advocating a more hawkish policy towards Iran. Mark, Dan and Curt take a deep dive into the sentiments and personalities influencing the second Trump era’s foreign policy, and consider what the world—and especially Europeans—can expect for the months ahead.Bookshelf:The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century by Steve Coll The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq by Steve CollCollapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union by Vladislav M. ZubokThe World of the Cold War 1945-1991 by Vladislav M. Zubok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How policymakers respond to Europe’s many challenges—from Russian aggression to sluggish economic growth to the shift to clean energy - will shape the continent for decades to come. In the face of these trials, however, they overlook something slower but equally as important: the global demographic transition.This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Alberto Rizzi, ECFR policy fellow, to discuss what effect a shrinking and ageing global population is having on 21st-century geopolitics. Building on Alberto’s new policy brief, they discusses the changing demography of the EU and European states and broader global trends—from China and Russia’s dwindling birth and death rates, to America’s relatively optimistic demographic outlook.But is a bigger population always an inherent advantage? And how can European policymakers maintain Europe’s global power in the face of demographic change? The podcast was recorded on June 5th 2025Bookshelf:Markets, migrants, microchips: European power in a world of demographic change by Alberto Rizzi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director general at the Royal United Services Institute and former Labour government advisor, for an Emergency Room episode dissecting the UK’s newly unveiled Strategic Defence Review (SDR). Prime minister Keir Starmer has committed to increasing defence spending to 3% GDP by 2030, expanding the UK’s military capabilities with 12 attack submarines, boosting munitions production, and possibly reviving an air-launched nuclear capability. Together Mark and Malcolm discuss how—amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and America’s talk of reducing its European presence—the SDR focuses on leveraging AI and uncrewed systems, as well as a “NATO first, Europe first” approach. They also consider how to balance transatlantic relations with closer EU defence cooperation. Can Britain drive a technological and geopolitical shift? Or will fiscal and industrial constraints limit its ambitions?The podcast was recorded on June 2nd, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.