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
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Iran Deal or No Deal, Will Europe Lead in Ukraine, The Pope Takes on AI
5d ago00:56:08Tap 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 →Is Cuba next? Will Taiwan fall? British Politics in Crisis.
2w ago00:55:54Tap to summarizeKey Topics The implications of the US indicting Cuba's former president Raul Castro and what regime change might look like The impact of President Trump's summit with Xi Jinping on Taiwan’s security and US strategic ambiguity The political crisis in Britain, the decline of the Labour Party, and the future of UK leadership How European countries view US and China strategies in the context of Taiwan and broader global influence The potential for a shifting European posture towards closer integration with the EU and re-evaluating Brexit Links Philip Stephens - philipstephens.net Karen DeYoung - washingtonpost.com/people/karen-deyoung Anton LaGuardia - economist.com/people/anton-la-guardia Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Trump in Beijing, Russia in Trouble, Stalemate in the Strait
3w ago00:55:31Tap to summarizeKey Topics The symbolism and outcomes of President Trump's meeting with President Xi in Beijing Russia's economic and military challenges amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine The strategic stalemate in the Persian Gulf and its global implications The evolving U.S.-China relationship and its impact on global geopolitics Iran's nuclear ambitions and the potential for diplomatic resolutions The role of symbolism in international diplomacy The impact of U.S. domestic politics on foreign policy Europe's response to shifting global power dynamics Links Yannis Palaiologos - insidestory.gr Carla Robbins - cfr.org/experts/carla-anne-robbins Jamil Anderlini - politico.eu/staff/jamil-anderlini Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Justice in Syria, the UAE Saudi Break-up, and Tensions Across the Atlantic
4w ago00:54:28Tap to summarizeKey Topics The emergence of war crimes trials in Syria and their impact on societal reconciliation The break between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over oil production and regional influence The decline of US-European relations amid troop withdrawals, trade disputes, and strategic disagreements The instability in Lebanon and the implications for Israeli and Lebanese relations The evolving nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics, including Iran's regional posture and Israel's security The influence of U.S. policy decisions, including Syria’s oil pipelines and the Iran nuclear negotiations Links Deborah Amos - journalism.princeton.edu/people/deborah-amos-2018 Steven Erlanger - nytimes.com/by/steven-erlanger Felicia Schwartz - politico.com/staff/felicia-schwartz Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Iran War Stalemate. The King Takes Washington. Germany Rearms.
May 100:52:52Tap to summarizeThe Iran War stalemate and dual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the mounting pressure on both sides to reach a deal Iran's hardliners consolidating power and the growing likelihood the regime pursues nuclear weapons as a deterrent King Charles III's address to a joint session of Congress and its surprising ability to unite a deeply divided chamber The diplomatic lesson of royalty and why pomp and circumstance may be more effective than elected leaders in dealing with Trump Germany's unprecedented defense spending surge and what it means for NATO, European autonomy, and the transatlantic relationship Trump's threats to withdraw US troops from Germany, Italy, and Spain, and whether they signal policy or political posturing The economic toll of the Iran War on European publics, with inflation rising and governments increasingly vulnerable to far-right challengers Europe's fundamental challenge of broad agreement on what needs to be done, paired with near-total failure to agree on how to do it The AFD surpassing Merz's CDU in German polls for the first time, signaling deepening public discontent The limits of strategic autonomy and why Germany's reliance on American nuclear guarantees and weapons systems keeps it tethered to NATO and Washington
Transcribe →Iran War Ceasefire, Lebanon & Israel Talks, Ukraine’s New Vibe
Apr 2400:53:51Tap to summarizeThe evolving ceasefire and military dynamics in Ukraine, including the Western response and Ukraine's increasing technological resilience Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire extension, Hezbollah's role, and opportunities for strengthening Lebanese sovereignty Iran’s nuclear ambitions, domestic fractures, and the prospects for a diplomatic resolution amid US-Iran tensions The impact of US foreign policy, regional alliances, and the importance of strategic patience and expertise Ukraine’s military remains strong, with signs of a shift in the battlefield, including increasing drone attacks deep inside Russia Europe is rethinking its security posture, increasingly looking towards Ukraine’s resilience and local defense capabilities Lebanon’s internal political landscape offers a window for US and European allies to support state-building and disarmament efforts Iran faces multiple asymmetries—geographical, military, and trust-related—that complicate negotiations and potential agreements US influence in the Middle East is waning, highlighting the need for regional actors to diversify alliances and strengthen capabilitiesThe Iran ceasefire and US naval blockade: what's holding and what isn't
Transcribe →Iran: Blockade or Negotiate, Hungary Earthquake, President vs. Pope
Apr 1700:52:38Tap to summarizeKey Topics The Iran ceasefire and US naval blockade: what's holding and what isn't US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan: prospects for a deal and the limits of unilateral diplomacy Europe's divided response: the Paris talks between Macron and Starmer and the question of inserting Europeans into the negotiations The Strait of Hormuz as Iran's ultimate leverage — and what "open" really means for trapped mariners Viktor Orbán's stunning defeat in Hungary: the economy, corruption, and the cohesion funds that sealed his fate Peter Magyar and TISA: how new is Hungary's new direction, and what does it mean for the EU and Ukraine? Orbán's fall as a setback for Putin, Trump, and the global far-right populist network Trump's feud with Pope Leo XIV: the politics of attacking the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics Hispanic and Catholic voters: the political costs of the President vs. Pope standoff The limits of populism: from Budapest to Washington, is the far right losing its popular touch? Links Christina Ruffini — https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AX7AZxLijDQ/christina-ruffini Karin Axelsson — https://politiken.dk/person/7961_Karin_Axelsson Jamie Dettmer — politico.eu/author/jamie-dettmer Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs — belfercenter.org World Review with Ivo Daalder — belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Iran War Fragile Ceasefire, Strategic Mistakes, NATO Lives Another Day
Apr 900:52:18Tap to summarizeKey Topics The fragile Iran ceasefire: achievements and uncertainties US presidential objectives and their evolution during the Iran conflict NATO's membership challenges amid US skepticism and strategic disagreements The influence of domestic politics on international alliances The strategic implications of the Strait of Hormuz closure The future of transatlantic relations and alliance cohesion Pakistan’s mediating role and regional power shifts The impact of US military actions on Middle Eastern geopolitics Broader implications for global stability post-Ukraine and Afghanistan Links David Luhnow - wsj.com/news/author/david-luhnow Michael Birnbaum - washingtonpost.com/people/michael-birnbaum Catherine Philp - thetimes.com/profile/catherine-philp Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - belfercenter.org/ World Review with Ivo Daalder - belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Trump's Speech Leaves Many Questions, Impact of the Strait's Closure, Israel's Security Strategy
Apr 300:48:47Tap to summarizeKey Topics The real implications of the Strait of Hormuz closing—how it’s causing energy shocks, economic disruptions, and geopolitical shifts. Why Israel’s military campaign, despite overwhelming strength, might be eroding its long-term security stability. The calculus shaping Gulf leaders’ fears and hopes amid rising regional tensions. Inside the secret strategies and political dilemmas that threaten to turn localized conflicts into larger regional or even global crises. Hosted by Harvard’s Belfer Center, this episode offers powerful insights into international security, regional politics, and the broader implications for global stability. Links Bobby Ghosh - bobbyghosh.substack.com Gideon Rachman - ft.com/gideon-rachman Isabel Coles - observer.co.uk/contributor/isabel-coles Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - belfercenter.org/ World Review with Ivo Daalder - belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
Transcribe →Iran: Diplomacy or escalation? The big rift in NATO. Europe's fragmented politics.
Mar 2700:54:00Tap to summarizeKey Topics President Trump's claims of Iran begging for a deal and the US military's posture in the Gulf The rift between the US and Europe, NATO's limited involvement, and European responses The impact of recent European elections on future political directions The emerging global payment systems bypassing traditional US sanctions The broader implications of US and European foreign policy strategies Links Edward Luce - ft.com/edward-luce Peter Speigel - https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/peter-spiegel/ Stefanie Bolzen - welt.de/autor/stefanie-bolzen/ Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - belfercenter.org/ World Review with Ivo Daalder - belfercenter.org/world-review-ivo-daalder
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