Podcast
World Review with Ivo Daalder
Hosted by Ivo Daalder · EN
Global events move fast—World Review helps you keep up. Each Friday, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder brings together leading journalists and experts to break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next.
A Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs podcast from Harvard Kennedy School. ivodaalder.substack.com
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
U.S.–Saudi Nuclear Deal, More Tariffs, New British Government
2w ago00:51:00Tap to summarizeKey Topics The details and potential consequences of the US-Saudi civil nuclear agreement and its departure from previous non-proliferation standards The strategic importance of the Iran war, nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, and regional reactions to new US policies The Trump administration's approach to tariffs aimed at combating forced labor and their impact on international trade UK’s post-election foreign policy outlook under Prime Minister Burnham, focusing on relations with Europe, the US, and support for Ukraine NATO defense commitments, international defense spending, and how UK’s role in security continues to shape global stability The influence of the UK’s domestic political landscape on its foreign policy and international partnerships Links Hugh Tomlinson — https://x.com/hughtomlinson Felicia Schwartz — https://x.com/felschwartz?lang=en Robbie Gramer — https://x.com/robbiegramer Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Looking Back at the World Cup: Politics, Nations and Who Gains Financially
3w ago00:50:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we take a critical look at FIFA, global sports politics, and the way major international events can reveal deeper institutional problems. Key Topics Criticism of FIFA leadership and governance How scandals reveal an organization’s true priorities The political meaning of the World Cup and other major sporting events Large events can temporarily distract from deeper structural failures. Leadership is best judged under crisis, not during calm moments. Institutions often protect reputation before they protect integrity. Links Mehreen Khan – https://x.com/MehreenKhn?lang=en Edward Luce – https://x.com/EdwardGLuce Bobby Ghosh – https://bobbyghosh.substack.com/ Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →The Strait is Closed Again, Gaza Forgotten, Ukraine's Internal Division
Jul 1700:51:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode of World Review, we explore the shifting dynamics shaping global security, from tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S.-Iran brinkmanship to the political and military challenges facing Ukraine. The conversation also examines Gaza’s stalled recovery efforts and the role leadership style plays in both diplomacy and war. Key topics include: Escalation risks in the Middle East Internal debates over U.S. military strategy Ukraine’s drone warfare innovation and leadership disputes Gaza reconstruction obstacles How trust, coalition-building, and execution shape international outcomes The episode offers a sharp look at how geopolitics, technology, and political decision-making collide in real time.
Transcribe →Iran War Resumes, NATO Lives Another Day, Russia Fuel Crisis
Jul 1000:51:00Tap to summarizeKey Topics Renewed fighting between the United States and Iran Whether the Strait of Hormuz could become a toll-based choke point NATO unity, Trump’s unpredictability, and Europe’s response Greenland tensions and the future of transatlantic relations Russia’s fuel crisis, drone strikes, and domestic pressure on Putin The broader shift toward rearmament and a more fragmented world order Links Karin Axelsson - https://politiken.dk/person/7961_Karin_Axelsson Anna Sauerbrey - https://ces.fas.harvard.edu/people/anna-sauerbrey Peter Spiegel - https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/peter-spiegel/ Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →America at 250 – What the U.S. Means to the World
Jul 300:56:05Tap to summarizeKey Topics How the American experiment of government based on consent and inalienable rights ignited global movements and reshaped societies, from Europe to Asia. The complex legacy of America’s post-1945 institutional order, the Marshall Plan, NATO, United Nations, and whether this framework still works or if it's fundamentally broken. The rise of competing models like China’s authoritarian capitalism and the implications for democracies worldwide. Why America’s internal struggles, polarization, and quest for national self-redefinition threaten its ability to lead and inspire future generations. The risks and opportunities of a world where the U.S. steps back, and other nations forge a new, possibly more interdependent, global order. Links Zanny Minton Beddoes - https://mediadirectory.economist.com/people/zanny-minton-beddoes/ James Harding - https://observer.co.uk/contributor/james-harding Sylvie Kauffmann - https://www.lemonde.fr/en/signataires/sylvie-kauffmann/ Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Brexit Turns 10, Iran Deal Delay, Ukraine Turning Point in Crimea
Jun 2600:51:00Tap to summarizeKey Topics The evolving political landscape in the UK a decade after Brexit, including public sentiment and potential reintegration into the EU The current state of Iran's nuclear deal negotiations, sanctions, and regional power dynamics Ukraine's recent large-scale strikes on Crimea targeting Russian military infrastructure and the implications for the ongoing war Links Catherine Philp - https://www.thetimes.com/profile/catherine-philp Yaroslav Trofimov - https://www.wsj.com/news/author/yaroslav-trofimov Yannis Palaiologos - https://def-ix.delphiforum.gr/speaker/12656901759 Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →The Politics and Economics of the World Cup
Jun 1700:50:33Tap to summarizeKey Topics Geopolitical implications of the World Cup and its representation of global powers. Economic analysis of hosting the World Cup and its impact on host countries. FIFA's political dynamics and relationships with global leaders. Cultural and national identity shifts in international football. Stories of players with diverse backgrounds representing different nations. Links Giles Whittell - https://x.com/GWhittell Mehreen Khan - https://x.com/MehreenKhn Gideon Rachman - https://x.com/gideonrachman Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Iran Deal Redux, Europe and U.S. Decouple, The AI Revolution
Jun 1200:53:40Tap to summarizeKey Topics The implications of SpaceX's IPO valued at trillions in the context of AI's environmental and geopolitical impact How the US's withdrawal from NATO commitments and reconsideration of missile deployments reflect shifting transatlantic relations The ongoing US-Iran negotiations and their impact on regional stability and global diplomacy The rise of AI and its regulatory challenges, including oversight, ethical concerns, and potential societal upheavals The influence of US policy on European defense, sovereignty, and the transatlantic alliance dynamics Links Stefanie Bolzen - https://x.com/StefanieBolzen Adam Cancryn - https://x.com/adamcancryn James Harding - https://www.tortoisemedia.com/contributor/james-harding?type=listen Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Iran Frozen War? Ukraine's Gains, Ebola U.S. AWOL
Jun 500:51:39Tap to summarizeKey Topics The evolving situation with Iran and Israel, including negotiations and proxy conflicts Ukraine's recent territorial gains and the shifting momentum in the war against Russia The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, highlighting US and global response deficiencies The impact of US political dynamics on foreign aid and international policy The significance of vaccine development and global health infrastructure gaps Links Carla Anne Robbins - https://www.cfr.org/experts/carla-anne-robbins Yasmeen Abutaleb - https://www.reuters.com/authors/yasmeen-abutaleb/ Bobby Ghosh - https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/APEY-AVaoBA/bobby-ghosh Christopher Miller - https://www.ft.com/christopher-miller Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Iran Deal or No Deal, Will Europe Lead in Ukraine, The Pope Takes on AI
May 2900:56:08Tap to summarizeKey Topics Iran's potential nuclear agreement and regional implications Europe's diplomatic paralysis and its impact on Ukraine and Russia The Vatican's moral challenge to AI and the political repercussions Europe's defense posture and NATO readiness amid escalating threats U. S. tech industry influence and regulatory debates on AI Links Shona Murray - https://events.euronews.com/euronews-on-air/speaker/1136912/shona-murray Michael Shear - https://www.nytimes.com/by/michael-d-shear Susan Glasser - https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/susan-b-glasser Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →