The Eurofile

Max and Lexi discuss Serbian election results and Aleksandar Vučić’s stunning defeat after 14 years in power, what the throttling of Starlink in Ukraine says about European dependence on U.S. tech, and how poitical turmoil in France have led student protests to balloon into mass unrest. Then, ⁠Célia Belin⁠ – senior fellow and head of the Paris office at the European Council on Foreign Re...

This bonus episode is a recording of a live video episode of The Eurofile recorded on October 22, 2026. More information on the event, including the recorded livestream, is available HERE.After years of trying to balance commercial ties with growing strategic concerns, European capitals are increasingly worried that Chinese exports poses a direct threat to the continent’s industrial future. Signif...

In part two of his conversation with Henry Foy, the Financial Times’ Brussels bureau chief, Max turns to the city’s distinctive media landscape. Henry draws on his experience covering European politics and policy to describe what makes reporting from Brussels unique, how national media and EU coverage converge, and what it reveals about both the city and the European Union itself.  ...

Max and Otto discuss Andy Burnham’s push to improve UK relations with the EU, the new deal signed by the U.S., Denmark and Greenland, and warnings of escalating Russian hybrid attacks in Europe. Then, Max is joined by Jeremy Cliffe, editorial director and senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, to make sense of the current political situation in Germany – AfD victories in regio...

Max is joined by Lexi Linafelter to discuss key takeaways from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address (September 16, 2026). Then he turns to a conversation with Emily Benson for an update on the state of transatlantic technology relations — exploring Europe's AI ambitions, digital sovereignty concerns, regulatory friction with U.S....

Max sits down with Otto Svendsen, associate fellow with the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program, to discuss the week's biggest transatlantic stories: Iceland's vote on reopening EU accession talks, the fallout from Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby's visit to NATO headquarters (including a reported loyalty questionnaire for allies), and European reactions to CIA Director John Ratcliff...

As European summer winds down, The Eurofile is back with a packed agenda. Max sits down with Mujtaba Rahman, Managing Director for Europe at the Eurasia Group, to discuss shifting dynamics in France’s far-right, with Marine Le Pen poised to return to the presidential ballot. They discuss the UK's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who’s kicked o...

Max sits down with Sander Tordoir, Chief Economist at the Centre for European Reform and Senior Associate (Non-resident) with the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program to discuss his latest report: China shock 2.0: The cost of Germany's complacency – which argues that surging Chinese exports are hurting Germany's auto and machinery sectors and threatening Europe's economic model. They dig into...

Max sits down with guest-host Lexi Linafelter, Program Coordinator and Research Assistant with the CSIS Europe, Russia and Eurasia program to discuss Max's recent trip to Budapest and new leadership across the Atlantic. They discuss key takeaways from the NATO Summit in Ankara, old challenges facing new...

Dr. Liana Fix, a senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Max on The Eurofile for a bonus episode focused on key takeaways from this week's NATO summit in Ankara. They discuss the summit's outcomes and what they reveal about the shifting balance of responsibility between the U.S. and Europe, including a loo...

Max sits down with David Marsh, co-founder and chairman of the OMFIF economic research group and former Financial Times Europe editor, to discuss his new book Can Europe Survive? The Story of a Continent in a Fractured World. They discuss how the European project, the Euro, and Brexit have affected transatlantic relations, and what it would mean for Europe to prosper, not just survive, as a global...

Max and Donatienne discuss the World Cup kickoff, the G7 summit, European Council meeting, and the early steps of Hungary's new government under Péter Magyar. This is Donatienne’s final episode as a co-host of The Eurofile, marking her transition away from CSIS to a new position in Washington. We will miss her dearly and thank her for three incredible years with the team! Keep up with Donatienne v...

Max and Donatienne sit down with Tom McTague, Editor in Chief at the New Statesman and author of Between the Waves: The Hidden History of a Very British Revolution 1945–2016, to discuss how the history of EU-UK relations set up this split, the state of British-EU relations today, and what has or has not changed in politics since 2016.Mentioned: Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of...

Max and Donatienne celebrate 100 episodes of The Eurofile by looking back at the key questions that have defined the show — from European defense and transatlantic tensions to trade, migration, and economic competitiveness. How well did they call it? And what did they miss?  Feedback? Suggestions? Ideas to help us improve? Email us at erep@csis.org  If you love The Eurofile, let us know by subscri...

Max and Donatienne discuss returns from Ukraine with fresh observations on the war and reflects on EU treaty reform and Ukraine's accession prospects. We also look at the political crisis engulfing Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the UK. Later, we sit down with European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi on the fight against corruption in the EU.

Max and Donatienne talk about the Trump administration’s announced withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany while simultaneously delaying a planned deployment of long-range Tomahawk missiles. They then turn to a conversation with Dan Kelemen, McCourt Chair at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, on what the Orbán era in Hungary tells us about how the EU handles democratic b...

Max and Donatienne cover two seismic European election results: Hungary's stunning rejection of Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, and Bulgaria's eighth election in five years. Then, they turn to Max’s conversation with Ben McWilliams, affiliate fellow at Bruegel, on the energy fallout from the Iran war. (00:00) Intro (00:53) Hungary election results  (15:31) Bulgaria election results  (18:22) ...

Max and Donatienne discuss the fallout from the Iran war and this week’s Hungarian election. Then, Max is joined by Federico Steinberg, Prince of Asturias distinguished visiting professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and visiting fellow at CSIS, on the war's economic costs for Europe.  (00:00) Intro (00:45) Iran war fallout  (14:43) Hungary election (22:38) Federico Steinbe...

Max and Donatienne are joined by Zselyke Csaky, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, to preview the Hungarian election on April 12.  Learn more: Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts What Is at Stake in Hungary’s Election?

Max and Donatienne are joined by Teresa Ribera—Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition—for a conversation on the EU's economic and climate agenda. Questions about the EU, NATO, or the latest news in Europe through a Washington lens? We want to hear from you!  Email: erep@csis.org   X: @csiserep   Bluesky: @erep.csis.org Learn more: Russian R...

Max and Donatienne discuss recent elections in Slovenia and Denmark, a referendum on judicial reforms in Italy, and Mark Rutte’s recent statements on the war in Iran. Then, they turn to a conversation with Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), for a conversation on Europe’s place in the world. (00:00) Intro (00:50) Slovenia election (04:40) Denmark election (10:20)...

Max is joined by Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Estonia, for a discussion about Estonia’s role in European security. (00:00) Intro (01:40) The war in Iran (04:32) Impact of rising energy prices for Russia (06:49) Impact of Iran war on air defense interceptor stockpiles (10:39) Outlook for Ukraine’s military (14:31) State of the transatlantic alliance (18:39) European support...

Max and Donatienne discuss the internal power struggle between Ursula von der Leyen and EU member states over who should speak for Europe on foreign policy. They then turn to a conversation with Mona Yacoubian, director and senior adviser of the Middle East Program at CSIS, to discuss the Iran war and Europe’s role in it. (00:00) Intro (01:05) Von der Leyen’s foreign policy power struggle  (19:07)...

Max and Donatienne discuss the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a new Dutch government. They then turn to a conversation with Jude Blanchette, Distinguished Tang Chair in China Research and Director of the RAND China Research Center, to discuss the state of play in Europe’s China policy. (00:00) Intro (00:45) Russia-Ukraine war (09:11) New Dutch government (14:39) Jude Blanch...

Max and Donatienne preview this week’s Munich Security Forum before turning to Max's conversation with Marcus Roberts, CEO of Mandate, to discuss European polling trends and what they portend for the year ahead. (00:00) Intro  (01:03) MSC Preview  (14:24) Marcus Roberts    Learn more:   Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts