World Review with Ivo Daalder

The largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history between the US and Russia took place this week. Why now and what does it mean? Then, Iran is calling for revenge and warns of regional war with Israel, following Israeli airstrikes that assassinated a key Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in the heart of Tehran. Plus, protests have erupted in Venezuela after election results declared President Nicolás M...

Poised to be the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris has kicked off her campaign after Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. How does her nomination change the race, and what impact will she have on foreign policy? Then, as the Israel-Hamas war continues into its ninth month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits DC to discuss a hostage and cease-fire deal. Plus, what to expe...

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump announced he would be selecting Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate. What does Vance’s background look like, and what does the Trump-Vance ticket mean for the world? Then, as war in Gaza continues, Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Biden in Washington DC next week and address a joint session of Congress. Plus, a look...

NATO leaders met this week in Washington, DC to discuss several topics on the 75th anniversary of the summit. Hot topics included Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China, and political challenges many alliance members are facing at home. Then, a look at the French and British election results and what they mean for the future of Europe. Plus, what to expect from Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s n...

As the UK and French snap elections loom, Matt Kaminski, Sylvie Kauffmann, and Giles Whittell join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to discuss the impact and implications of these elections on Europe, the West, and the world at large. Then, looking ahead at NATO’s 75th anniversary and what we can expect at the upcoming NATO Summit. Get full access to America Abroad at ivodaalder.substack.com/subscribe

Last weekend, Ukraine held its first peace summit with an aim of presenting a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia. More than 100 countries and international organizations were present, but despite strong support from the West, Russia and China were absent, and key global powers refused to sign the Ukraine peace document. Then, Putin’s visit to North Korea resulted in a new mutual defense pact be...

Voters in 27 countries of the European Union took to the polls last week to elect the next European Parliament. While the far-right parties made major gains in France, Germany, and Italy, the centrists held on for a clear victory. How will these results impact the EU and its member states? Meanwhile, Italy hosts the G7 Summit this week as leaders come together to discuss issues such as Ukraine, Ga...

Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and the former mayor of Mexico City, is set to become the first female president in the 200-year history of Mexico’s republic. What does her victory mean for Mexico? Then, in another major election across the globe, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third term, though opposition parties gained seats in parliament. Now forced to form a coalition govern...

Far-right parties are on the rise and dominating the polls in Europe. With elections happening in June, can a far-right European Union really happen? Then, dozens of civilians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, further isolating Israel on the international stage and increasing pressure on the Biden administration to pull back support. Plus, European allies are proposing allowing Ukraine...

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a surprise announcement this week calling for a general election on July 4. Why the sudden decision, and what will follow for the United Kingdom? Then, the International Criminal Court is applying for arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and three Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. What does this mean for Israel and Hamas? Meanwh...

China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin met this week in a show of unity, tightening Russia’s strategic alliance with China. What are the geopolitical implications of their “new era” partnership? Then, thousands of Ukrainians have fled border towns in the northeast Kharkiv region as Russian troops advance in new offensive. Plus, the fallout between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanya...

This week, a special edition of World Review – a conversation with ADM Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations, about the U.S. Navy’s role in this increasingly complex and uncertain world. ADM Franchetti is the first woman to ascend to the top leadership of the U.S. Navy and the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A surface warfare officer, ADM Franchetti previously served as...

The United States and Saudi Arabia are nearing a historic deal that could potentially reshape Middle East geopolitics with implications for regional security, diplomatic relations, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, last week French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech issuing a stark warning that Europe faces the possibility of demise. Plus, Myanmar is four years int...

This week on World Review, Bobby Ghosh, Susan Glasser, and Stefan Kornelius join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to discuss what’s next in Ukraine after Congress approved a $60 billion military aid package. Will this aid boost make an immediate impact? Plus, a look at German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to China, followed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s own visit in an effort to stabilize relati...

Yasmeen Abutaleb, Anton La Guardia, and Peter Spiegel join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to analyze the implications of Iran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel earlier this week and discuss what’s next as tensions boil, sparking fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, after months of delay, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced a plan to vote on providing aid to Ukraine. Will i...

This week, President Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Kishida to discuss Ukraine, AI and security in East Asia emphasizing the Japan-US alliance. Then, Biden criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as the Israel-Hamas war enters its sixth month, deepening the Israel-US rift. Plus, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen concluded her trip to China to renew US-China dialogue. Ken Moriyasu, Prash...

The World Central Kitchen has suspended operations in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike killed 7 aid workers. Another Israeli airstrike in Damascus is igniting fears of retaliatory strikes from Iran. Meanwhile, Turkey's nationwide local elections dealt Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AK Party a major electoral defeat, signaling a change in Turkey’s political landscape, as the main opposition grou...

Last week’s attack on Crocus City Hall was Russia’s deadliest terror attack in almost two decades, killing at least 137 people. The Islamic State took responsibility for the attack, yet Putin suggested Ukraine and the West had a role, connecting it to the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council approved a Gaza ceasefire resolution as the United States abstains, upsetting Net...

The number and severity of humanitarian crises are multiplying and intensifying. To talk about why this is happening and what can be done, the Council’s Ivo Daalder spoke with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom for a special edition of World Review Get full access to America Abroad at ivodaalder.substack.com/su...

Voting in Russia's presidential election has already begun and continues through this weekend. What will another six years of Putin in power mean for the world? Then, exacerbated by Israel restricting the flow of aid, the Gaza Strip is on the brink of famine. Will the Netanyahu government shift course following intense international pressure, including the EU Foreign Policy Chief saying starvation...

Results from Super Tuesday set the stage for a Biden-Trump rematch this November. What does that mean for the world? Germany vows to investigate after a leaked recording emerges between top-ranking German officers on the country’s Russia-Ukraine war strategy, exposing divisions among Western Allies. And pressure mounts for a cease-fire in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The Council’s...

In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today, Ukraine is fighting for the country’s survival and is desperate for international military aid. Anton La Guardia, Catherine Philp, and Yaroslav Trofimov join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to discuss Ukraine’s future, and current European and U.S. perspectives on the two-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. Get full acces...

The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has strengthened Putin’s impunity. With the death toll nearing 30,000, the WHO warns that the Gaza Strip is now a “death zone.” Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes expand in the region as a new cease-fire deal is underway. World leaders and defense officials met in Munich last week, exposing concerns over the U.S. commitment to Ukraine and Kyiv’s ability to win the war...

Former President Donald Trump faces backlash following recent comments suggesting Russia invade NATO nations, reigniting fears that his re-election would weaken the defense alliance. Tensions continue to grow between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s invasion of Rafah looms. And following controversial parliamentary elections, Pakistan heads toward a coalition g...

Due to the struggling war effort, President Zelensky is considering replacing Ukraine's military and political leadership. Meanwhile, in Washington, Congress is beginning to search for alternative routes to pass aid to Ukraine. Amid heightened tensions, Blinken heads to the Middle East to discuss a possible cease-fire and hostage deal. Northern Ireland appointed Sinn Fein’s Michelle O'Neill, its f...