Brussels Playbook Podcast

Brussels is beefing up its intelligence machinery.

Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson talk about the growing role of INTCEN — the EU’s little-known intelligence-analysis hub inside the European External Action Service — and the quiet power struggle brewing between Kaja Kallas’ diplomatic service and Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission over who gets to handle sensitive security information in Brussels.

Then: the Greens in the European Parliament are facing an identity crisis, as one of their biggest national parties considers defecting to the Socialists and Democrats — and why Bas Eickhout’s dramatic departure matters far beyond one relationship scandal.

And finally: European commissioners are discovering that driving electric vehicles to Strasbourg can involve awkward charging stops somewhere near Luxembourg.

If you have thoughts, tips or strong opinions on how to survive the Brussels–Strasbourg trip in an EV without stopping for 20 minutes in the middle of nowhere, send us a message — or even better, a voice note on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe is still reeling from the recent drone incursions into Baltic airspace.

In a show of solidarity, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius are in Lithuania today following last week’s drone scare. Today on the Brussels Playbook Podcast, we unpack the latest developments, including discussions about Baltic companies teaming up with Ukrainian firms to tap into their expertise in bomb-shelter construction.

Also on the pod: Calls are growing for Europe to appoint its own negotiator in Ukraine-Russia peace talks, now that the U.S. has stepped back. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Europe to take a more active role. But not everyone is convinced — Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski have both raised concerns. Zoya and Nick break down the debate. 

And finally, negotiations over the EU’s next long-term budget are heating up, with some countries balking at the proposed €1.8 trillion price tag. We explain what’s driving the pushback. 

Should the EU spend more or less money on the next budget? Let us know what you think by sending us a message on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

And don’t forget to check out the Paris Playbook Podcast. You can listen to the trailer and subscribe here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s an ominous backdrop to this year’s GLOBSEC forum in Prague as the war in Ukraine strays into the skies over NATO’s Eastern flank. The last few weeks have seen an increasing number of drone incursions in the Baltics — Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — across EU airspace.

And there are questions over America’s commitment to European security ahead of an important NATO summit in Ankara in July, following changes in American troop deployments, and whether the tide is really changing in the war in Ukraine. 

Recording at POLITICO's Speakeasy at the GLOBSEC Forum, Anne McElvoy sits down with two Europeans with skin in the game — Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary at Finland's Ministry of Defense and Ana Brnabić, Speaker of the National Assembly in Serbia and former Prime Minister. Both countries have a stake in the ongoing war in Ukraine and the changing face of the EU. 

Questions or comments? Message our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With drone alerts, emergency shelters and fighter jets over the Baltics, Europe’s security fears suddenly feel much less theoretical at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague.

On the ground in Czechia for the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the growing wave of drone incursions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. They also discuss why Baltic leaders are sounding the alarm and how the crisis in Latvia became serious enough to bring down the government.

Then: Germany is growing impatient with the EU’s enlargement drift. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing a new concept called “associate membership” that would pull countries like Ukraine and Moldova closer to EU institutions — even before full accession.

And finally: Brussels’ next big institutional power struggle is already underway. António Costa looks increasingly safe as European Council president, while the European People's Party scrambles to keep its grip on the EU’s top jobs and protect Roberta Metsola’s position as European Parliament president.

Do you live in Baltic country? Have the recent drone incursions affected your everyday life? We’re curious to hear more! Send a voice note to us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room. As the EU races ahead with its deregulation drive, concerns are growing over rushed lawmaking, weaker safeguards and the sidelining of technical specialists.

Then, EU leaders are exploring ways to make Russia sanctions harder to block — including extending renewal deadlines from six months to a year — as Brussels moves quickly after Viktor Orbán’s departure.

And finally: Giorgia Meloni’s party has found a new political battleground — peacocks. Yes, really.

For this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Ian Wishart is joined by POLITICO senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson.

Send us your thoughts — and your views on whether peacocks should be considered a public menace — on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices