Global Politics with Leo

Europe is arming up and in this episode, I break down what that really means. I dive into Croatia's revival of compulsory military service, the broader trend of militarisation sweeping across the continent, and whether history should make us worried or not. I also unpack a major new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute on global weapons transfers, which reveals just how...

President Trump says he’ll soon decide what to do about US weapons sales to Taiwan - and that decision matters far beyond the island itself. In this episode, I break down the full story: how the Chinese Civil War created two rival governments, why the US recognised Beijing in the 1970s while continuing to support Taiwan unofficially, and what the “Six Assurances” mean today. I explain why Taiwan i...

Marco Rubio used his speech at the Munich Security Conference to outline how the US sees global security under Donald Trump. His tone was softer than others in the administration - but the message was clear: Europe will need to take far more responsibility for its own defence. Plus: Russia blocks WhatsApp and pushes a state-backed messaging app China removes tariffs on imports from 53 African coun...

Three major elections over the weekend - in Portugal, Thailand, and Japan. Japan’s result was the most consequential by far. We break down how Sanae Takaichi turned a fragile leadership position into a historic landslide, what her agenda looks like, and why her rise matters for Japan’s economy, China relations, and the US alliance. We then look at Indonesia’s preparations to deploy up to 8,000 tro...

A court in Nigeria has ordered the UK government to pay $572 million to the families of coal miners killed by colonial police during a strike in 1949. We break down what happened at the Enugu mines, how it links to Britain’s colonial rule, and why the ruling matters more than 75 years later. Also: We also cover the World Economic Forum’s investigation into its CEO, Børge Brende, over past interact...

Topics in this episode: (1) Spain is pushing a major package of new digital laws - and while the proposed ban on social media for children under 16 grabbed most of the headlines, it’s only a part of a much bigger shift. In this episode, I break down the four key proposals, why some of them matter far more than the ban itself, and why what happens in Spain is likely to shape digital policy in other...

The United States and India have agreed on a new trade deal. I break down how Donald Trump is using tariffs as geopolitical leverage, why India has reportedly agreed to stop buying Russian oil, and what this could mean for Russia’s economy and the war in Ukraine. We also look at: Costa Rica’s new right-wing president, Laura Fernández. A US–Iran military incident in the Arabian Sea Russia rebuildin...

The United States is quietly expanding its influence in Venezuela, with CNN reporting that the CIA is moving to establish a permanent American presence inside the country. Also: Sweden plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for the most serious crimes, as criminal networks increasingly recruit minors. France is set to ban public officials from using U.S. videoconferencing...

The European Union and India have agreed one of the most significant trade deals in modern history, removing or reducing tariffs on the vast majority of goods traded between them. Together, the EU and India account for around a quarter of global GDP and a combined population of about two billion people. The agreement gives European companies preferential access to India’s fast-growing consumer mar...

After the removal of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, the Trump administration is now turning its attention to Cuba, exploring whether regime insiders could be persuaded to cut a deal and push the Communist government out. U.S. officials believe Havana is more vulnerable than it has been in decades, especially after losing access to cheap Venezuelan oil. Also: we look at the reports suggesting Iran’s...

President Donald Trump is backing away from his original demands for Greenland — no invasion, no outright purchase. But that doesn’t mean the issue is resolved. In this episode, I explain what kind of deal could now be on the table, why reports suggest the US could gain sovereignty over small parts of Greenland, and why Trump is focused on permanent control rather than NATO-based arrangements. I a...

Trump’s renewed push to annex Greenland isn’t just about security, trade, or minerals. In this episode, I look at a deeper driver: Trump’s personal history, worldview, and fixation on American expansion. I break down how the idea first emerged in 2018 through billionaire Ronald Lauder, why Trump viewed Greenland like a real-estate deal, and how this fits into a broader revival of the Monroe Doctri...

Trump’s Greenland threat sparks the biggest transatlantic crisis in decades. After leaked text messages between President Trump and Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, we break down what could happen next. This episode walks through three realistic scenarios for Greenland, from a face-saving U.S. deal, to outright American control, to a possible path toward independence through a Compact of...

Trump escalates the Greenland crisis by slapping tariffs on European allies - but this episode isn’t just about Greenland. It’s about a much bigger shift in US foreign policy. We break down how the Trump administration is reviving the Monroe Doctrine, what that actually means, and why it helps explain everything from Greenland and Canada to Venezuela, Panama, and China’s influence in the Western H...

María Corina Machado makes her boldest Trump move yet - presenting the medal from her Nobel Peace Prize at a private White House meeting. We break down why Machado is doing this, what she’s trying to get from Trump. Also: Japan and the Philippines sign a new defence agreement as tensions with China rise across the Asia-Pacific. Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international n...

The United States announces the start of phase two of its Gaza peace plan, including reconstruction, demilitarisation, and a new technocratic administration. We break down what’s actually in the plan - and what’s likely to be contested. Also: new polling data offers the first real glimpse of how Venezuelans feel about the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the role of the United States. Plus, the US, D...

In today’s global politics update, I’m covering Iran, South Korea, Uganda, Gaza, and Greenland. We start with Iran - why are the death toll estimates range from around 2,000 to 20,000? We also look at what U.S. sanctions or tariffs could mean and who Iran really trades with. Then: South Korea, where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a former president. Uganda, where the government has...

In this episode, I break down what’s happening in Sudan & latest news - starting with the historical context you need to understand how the country ended up in the middle of a devastating civil war. I’ll walk you through how the military went from removing a dictator to turning on itself, and how foreign powers like Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are all playing a role in keeping...

In this episode of Global Politics with Leo , I take you on a journey through Iran’s rich and turbulent history - from the Persian Empire to today’s escalating protests. We unpack the foundations of Iran’s national identity, the rise and fall of democratic movements, the role of oil in shaping foreign policy, and the deep imprint of Western interference. Why are Iranians protesting now? What does...

While the headlines have been dominated by a few major stories, a lot is happening across the world - and in this episode, we dive into it all. From near-total internet blackouts in Iran amid economic crisis and mass protests, to major shifts in US foreign policy under the Trump administration, we cover key developments you might’ve missed. We also touch on worsening US-Somalia relations, humanita...

In today’s global politics update, I dive into one of the most unexpected - and potentially game-changing - news stories in international affairs: Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland. Why does the U.S. want it so badly? Is it really about trade routes, rare minerals, and military positioning - or is there a bigger strategy at play? In this episode, I explore the history of U.S.–Greenland rel...

In today’s episode, we dive into one of the biggest questions in global politics right now: are Europe and the U.S. about to give Ukraine real, legally binding security guarantees? The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is reached, while the U.S. would oversee ceasefire monitoring using drones, satellites, and sensors. We break down what t...

How do Venezuelans really feel about what’s happening right now? In this episode, I cut through viral videos, selective outrage, and political spin to examine how Venezuelan reactions and emotions are being used - and misused - by media and governments. Using hard data on inflation, elections, approval ratings, and polling inside and outside Venezuela, this episode separates emotion from evidence...

Venezuela Explained: Trump Captures Nicolás Maduro, US Strikes, and What Happens Next | Politics News & Analysis In today’s Venezuela episode, I break down the biggest news story in global politics: the US operation that captured Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro (and his wife) and launched strikes tied to that mission. We’ll walk through what happened, why the Trump administration says it...

Start 2026 with a deep dive into the biggest global politics stories shaping the year. In this episode, I break down the latest news and political developments in Myanmar and Guinea, where overwhelming election “victories” raise serious questions about authoritarian control. We also look at Iran’s economic crisis, mass protests, collapsing currency and growing instability. You’ll also get a clear...