Listen: Will the EU keep its promise of financial assistance to Ukraine?
Ukraine faces a financial crisis as Hungary blocks the EU’s €90bn loan. Can Brussels convince Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán to lift his veto?
Podcast
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Listen: Which EU countries are switching back to nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy is no longer just a French affair. Brussels is changing its tune, and even the European Commission now sees a future where nuclear plays a key role in Europe’s energy mix. But here’s the real question: how many countries are quietly making a comeback to nuclear power?
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Listen: Why Europe won’t blindly follow Donald Trump’s call to secure the Strait of Hormuz?
Trump pressures allies as tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran restricts oil flows and prices surge. Europe resists Nato involvement, urging caution and clarity while weighing limited action. Will the EU support US calls or chart its own course amid escalating geopolitical stakes and fragile energy security?
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Listen: What to expect from the provisional application of the EU–Mercosur agreement
It is now just a matter of weeks before the famous EU-Mercosur free trade agreement comes into effect, at least provisionally. How will this provisional implementation affect European consumers and farmers? and How did we get here?
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Listen: Could a registry of doctors who refuse abortions improve access in Spain?
A court ruling has just ordered the city of Madrid to create a registry of doctors in the region who refuse to perform abortion procedures. Are there still many of these conscientious objectors in Spain and across Europe?
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Listen: Is the alliance between right and far-right parties the new norm in Europe?
The European Parliament’s centre-right is increasingly voting with far-right parties — first on migration, now on deregulation. As similar alliances emerge in national governments across Europe, the long-standing political “cordon sanitaire” against the far right is weakening, raising questions about whether this shift could soon become the new norm.
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Listen: Which European countries are sending forces to the Middle East?
Some EU member states have defence agreements with Gulf countries, requiring mutual assistance in case of attack. That’s why several EU countries have announced military deployments to the region, including France and the Netherlands. But what is the scale of European forces sent to the region?
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Listen: Who really speaks for the EU on the international stage?
The war in Iran has once again highlighted a familiar issue: when it comes to international politics, the European Union does not always speak with one voice. This institutional reality is often summed up by a famous question: “If I want to call Europe, what number do I dial?”
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Listen: How does the EU define a country of origin as ‘safe’ in its asylum policy?
The EU is fast-tracking asylum decisions, labeling countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, and Morocco as “safe.” Could this put vulnerable people at risk? In this episode of Briefed, Léa Marchal unpacks the EU’s new regulations on safe countries and safe third countries — and the real human impact behind the numbers.
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Listen: Does Spanish PM Sánchez have real EU backing in his standoff with Trump?
A transatlantic rift is opening. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and blocked American access to Spanish bases —directly challenging Donald Trump. The question now: how far can Spain go in defying Washington?
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Listen: Will the new ‘Made in Europe’ doctrine revive the European industry?
After several years of industrial decline, the European Commission proposed a ‘Made in Europe’ policy. Is this a major industrial turning point?
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Listen: Should Europeans fear a new energy crisis with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran is now blocking the Strait of Hormuz, through which one in five barrels of oil and a quarter of the world’s liquefied natural gas transit. As oil and gas prices rise, should Europeans be worried about a new energy crisis?
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Listen: Is the EU still the biggest supporter of international law?
Historically, the EU has placed crucial importance on upholding international law. But after the US and Israeli strikes in Iran, the EU is turning a blind eye to the violation of the principles of the UN charter. Are we witnessing an erosion of this principle within the EU?
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Listen: Will the death of French activist Quentin Deranque weaken antifascist movements in Europe?
“Far-left kills.” That’s how extreme-right protesters have described the death of Quentin Deranque. A formula also used by various political figures in France and Europe to blame far-left and antifascist movements in a broader sense. Can this dramatic event weaken antifascist movements across Europe?
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Listen: The fabricated controversy around Spain’s Therian subculture
In Spain, a small group of people who identify spiritually as animals, called Therians, has caused a big stir online. Few actually showed up to rallies, but social media made them seem much larger, turning a playful subculture into a surprising political talking point.
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Listen: How Poland is preparing for a potential war?
Poland isn’t just preparing for war — it’s rewriting the rulebook on how to get ready. Meanwhile, the rest of the EU is slowly catching up on defence. What can we learn from Poland’s approach?
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Listen: How does the EU defend itself against US arbitrary sanctions?
Whether it’s sanctions against International Criminal Court judges or threats of tariffs, Donald Trump is using coercion to sway European decisions. So what is the EU doing to protect its independence from American pressure?
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Listen: Are we serious about regulating AI?
The EU needs to regulate smartly if it wants to have a real impact. Because globally, the US and China — the two biggest AI players — are not regulating AI use.
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Listen: Should the EU stay away from Trump’s Board of Peace?
In Brussels, several EU member states are angry with the European Commission. These countries did not appreciate that the EU’s executive body attended the first meeting of the “Board of Peace” launched by Donald Trump. What was the alternative for the EU? Should Europeans stay away from this initiative?
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Listen: Has the EU given up on participating in the peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia?
The peace talks between Ukraine and Russia started in Abu Dhabi last month and continued in Geneva this week, but do not include the EU. Apart from being informed, how is the EU contributing to peace efforts?