EPC Podcast

In this episode of The Language of Power podcast, host Paul Taylor is joined by Mihai Chihaia, a policy analyst in the EPC’s Europe in the World programme, and Ionela Ciolan, a research officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, to unpack how Russia’s war on Ukraine has reshaped security in the Black Sea. From Ukraine’s use of naval drones to Turkey’s control of the straits and N...

In this episode, host Paul Taylor explores how cryptocurrency, once seen as fringe “funny money,” is now influencing democracy and financial systems. Paul Taylor is joined by guests Joe Litobarski and Alice Stollmeyer to unpack how crypto works, its regulation or lack thereof, and its political implications, especially under the second Trump administration. Debating whether crypto is empowering ci...

In this episode of The Language of Power, the EPC’s Paul Taylor is joined by Amanda Paul and Demir Murat Seyrek to unpack Turkey’s evolving geopolitical role amid US attempts to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. As Turkey’s strategic relevance grows, so does concern over President Erdoğan’s crackdown on the democratic opposition, notably the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The discussion explo...

In this episode of The Language of Power, EPC Podcast host and Senior Visiting Fellow Paul Taylor is joined by senior policy analyst Philipp Lausberg and policy analyst Svitlana Taran from the European Policy Centre to question how sanctions can become more impactful and effective in the long run. They also examine the political logic, economic consequences, and strategic dilemmas behind EU sancti...

Senior visiting fellow Chris Kremidas-Courtney joins host Paul Taylor on The Language of Power to discuss how Europe must prepare for defense in an era of mass precision warfare—possibly without U.S. support. With Russia’s military buildup and ongoing aggression in Ukraine, how should Europe invest its growing defense budgets? They debate the relevance of tanks, fighter jets, and aircraft carriers...

This week's episode of the Language of Power podcast focuses on Russia’s war in Ukraine, the war crimes committed by Putin’s forces, and efforts to hold those responsible accountable. A very special guest, Andriy Kostin, Ukraine’s former prosecutor-general, shares insights on evidence collection and legal action against Putin and his inner circle. As ceasefire negotiations unfold in Saudi Arabia,...

In this week’s episode of The Language of Power podcast, host Paul Taylor sits down with experts Mihai Chihaia and Katarzyna Sidlo to explore the future of the Middle East. They discuss the region’s impact on Europe and consider how the EU can foster peace and stability. Tune in for insightful analysis and thought-provoking perspectives on one of today’s most pressing geopolitical challenges. With...

Where does Ukraine stand following President Zelenskyy’s disastrous meeting with Trump and Vice-President JD Vance at the White House last week? Having left Washington with no agreement and with US officials calling for his replacement, the Ukrainian leader went on to meet in London with European leaders, who offered him their full support but also encouraged him to mend fences with Trump. EU lead...

Germany is heading to the polls in a high-stakes general election, set against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. With Europe’s security order facing its second major upheaval since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, the outcome of this vote could have far-reaching consequences for Germany, the EU, and beyond. Join us as we break down the key issues, p...

In this episode of the EPC's foreign affairs and policy podcast 'Language of Power', we discuss the aftermath of the informal retreat on defence that occurred on February 3rd, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in attendance. Crucial questions were addressed, such as Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, which is about to enter its fourth year and threatens...

In this episode of the EPC's foreign affairs and policy podcast 'Language of Power', we discuss what's next for Europe in light of Trump's second presidency regarding security and foreign policy. How can the EU best address Trump's numerous threats and strengthen its defence and security capabilities? How will this impact Ukraine? Will the EU finally step-up and deliver? With Paul Taylor, EPC's se...

In the past few weeks, the political landscape in both Europe and the United States has seen unprecedented twists and turns, resulting in tensions all across the Atlantic. With the rise of the far-right in the European Parliament, the surprise french elections which saw the left-wing parties rally successfully, Donald Trump'controversial Vice-President pick, the assassination attempt on Donald Tru...

The snap-elections called by French president Macron, after the rise of Le Pen's Rassemblement National at the EU parliament, took an unprecedented turn on Sunday, July 7th. With the far-left coming as the surprise winner of the elections with 182 seats, Macron's party coalition secured 153 seats while the Rassemblement National predicted to lead with a majority only ended third with 143 seats. Th...

On Wednesday 8 November, the Commission published its 2023 Enlargement Package. The Package recommended opening accession negotiations to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, granting candidate status to Georgia, and opening negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance is achieved. In this episode of the EPC Podcast, we discuss the Package and its implications,...

Von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech calls for member states to advance efforts in emerging technologies and invest in everything, from microelectronics to quantum computing and AI. But is Europe ambitious and prepared enough to bring forward von der Leyen’s agenda? This episode of the EPC Podcast looks at the rapid development of quantum technologies in Europe and beyond, its implications fo...

This episode takes a closer look at the outcomes of the NATO Summit in Vilnius and its implications for Russia's war in Ukraine. It also focuses on Turkiye's agreement on Sweden's membership, the future of the Black Sea Initiative and NATO's relations with the Indo-Pacific. With Jamie Shea, former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO and Senior Adviser at the...

On 5 May 2023, the European Policy Centre hosted an EPC Talks Geopolitics in-person exchange with Md. Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and Shada Islam, EPC Senior Adviser. EPC Talks Geopolitics is a signature initiative, which aims to engage globally renowned speakers in an interactive conversation on relevant geopolitical issues. State Mini...

As protests in Israel continue to rise against Netanyahu's government and his judicial reforms, the last part of this EPC podcast series takes a closer look at Israel’s foreign relations. EPC Analyst Mihai Sebastian Chihaia is joined by Azriel Bermant, Maya Sion, and Aaron David Miller to discuss the US stance towards Netanyahu, the significance and purpose of President Herzog’s visit to Brussels,...

The EPC Podcast is back to delve deeper into EU affairs and connect the dots between politics, policies, and people. This new episode forms the first part of a two-part podcast on the new Israeli government and its domestic and foreign agenda. After Benjamin Netanyahu’s election as the new Israeli Prime Minister, the European Policy Centre hosted a Twitter Space to discuss the implications of the...

One of the EPC's founders, John Palmer, describes the early days of the organisation.

It has been 3 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, 6 million people have fled the country. Most of them women and children. Quickly after the start of the war, the EU triggered the Temporary Protection Directive, an exceptional measure intended to give people displaced from Ukraine an automatic right to travel freely throughout Europe, and gain access to social welfare, healthcare, hou...

Four months after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the spotlights have dimmed. But as winter sets in and the new regime tightens its grip, what is the state of the country, its people, and the Afghans that have fled and are still looking for safety? In the second part of a two-part episode, we discuss the EU’s tense, knee-jerk response to the crisis back in August and September, and what it has...

Four months after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the spotlights have dimmed. But as winter sets in and the new regime tightens its grip, what is the state of the country, its people, and the Afghans that have fled and are still looking for safety? In this two-part episode, we talk about the unfolding humanitarian crisis, how Afghan refugees are faring in neighbouring and other transit countri...

This episode takes a closer look at the outcome of the NATO summit and the implications for EU-NATO cooperation and the transatlantic relationship, and how the Alliance plans to deal with Russia and China. It also reviews NATO’s plans to help the fight against climate change. With Jamie Shea, Professor of Strategy and Security at the University of Exeter, former Deputy Assistant Secretary General...

The upcoming Porto Social Summit hopes to give a much-needed push to the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU’s attempt to add a social dimension to its policies. But without any real power in this area, what concrete results can we expect? The EPC's Social Europe and Well-Being team looks ahead at the summit and explores the tension between the dream of a social Europe and doing the work of b...