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
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Strait is Closed Again, Gaza Forgotten, Ukraine's Internal Division
5d ago00:51:00Tap 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
2w ago00:51:00Tap 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
3w ago00:56:05Tap 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
4w ago00:51:00Tap 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 →Is Cuba next? Will Taiwan fall? British Politics in Crisis.
May 2200:55:54Tap 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
May 1500:55:31Tap 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
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