Today

Even-more-maximum pressure: sanctions on Iran

After much hullabaloo America announced its “Operation Economic Outcast”, a new tranche of sanctions. It is thin gruel, and might in fact invite military reprisals from Iran. Call centres form a large part of the economy of the Philippines; surprisingly, AI is not stopping the in ... Show More

23m 25s

Yesterday

Elbows up, again: a US-Canada trade flare-up

Promising trade talks imploded after a literal 11th-hour change from the American side. We examine the new trade barriers being erected, and the complex calculation for Prime Minister Mark Carney. In Japan Gen X workers are even still bearing the costs of an economic bubble-burst ... Show More

21m 48s

Aug 21

I, robot? AI and consciousness

The rise of generative AI has put new urgency into ancient questions. What is consciousness, and can machines ever have it? We dive into the data that reveal a surge in sexually transmitted infections in Europe. And our obituaries editor considers the life of Mary de Rachewiltz, ... Show More

24m 48s

Oct 2025

Liberté, égalité, désordre: chaos in France

France’s newly-appointed prime minister has resigned only weeks into the job. Now President Emmanual Macron has given him 48 hours to come up with a plan for next year’s budget. Can Macron survive the turmoil? As driverless taxis take over San Francisco, what will happen to the h ... Show More

21m 3s

Oct 2025

France in turmoil

This week Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Paris office, to discuss the unprecedented political turmoil in France. Just weeks after his appointment, Sébastien Lecornu became the fourth prime minister to resign in a year—leaving Macron to ... Show More

20m 29s

Sep 2025

Has France become ungovernable?

France is facing a test for its latest prime minister. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu must steer the country through political chaos, debt, and strikes. Will he be the one to keep the government standing and guide France toward stability, or will the crisis deepen? In this epis ... Show More

22m 7s

Sep 2025

What's behind the French prime minister resigning?

France's prime minister quits after losing a confidence vote in parliament. There's a sense of deja vu. The country is in a deep financial crisis that a succession of prime ministers hasn't been able to resolve. But what's behind it all? And could the European Union step in? In t ... Show More

24m 50s

Dec 2024

French connection: Trump meets Macron in free fall

The toppling of the French prime minister has caused a massive headache for French President Emmanuel Macron just days before he receives U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Paris. As one president returns to the world stage, could the other’s days be numbered? France is convuls ... Show More

21m 17s

Sep 2025

Why is France in chaos again?

As French Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a motion of no confidence in the National Assembly, a grassroots protest movement is gathering steam with its rallying cry to "Block everything" on September 10. Organisers hope to bring the country to a standstill to protest against ... Show More

23m 35s

Sep 2024

Grand Barnier: France’s new prime minister

Two months ago, French politics was thrown into crisis after a snap election left no party with a clear majority. Michel Barnier, the new prime minister, has a huge task ahead. Donald Trump’s campaign took time to adjust to the nomination of Kamala Harris. Now he’s on the attack ... Show More

25m 5s

Sep 2025

Go, fourth? France likely to lose another PM

An unpopular budget will probably spark the ousting of another prime minister, Francois Bayrou—and with him goes another government. Parliamentary impasse is now business as usual, and voters are fed up. Getting Chinese spenders spending is tricky, so policy wonks are at last con ... Show More

21m 50s

Liberté, égalité, désordre: chaos in Fra...