Brussels Sprouts

Jan 30 2025 100 ep. 51 mins 2.5k

Brussels Sprouts Podcast artwork

Small bites on Transatlantic Security, NATO, the EU, Russia, and all things Europe. Hosted by Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend at the Center for a New American Security.

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The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World with Hal Brands

Jan 30 2025 46 mins

For more than 100 years, the continent of Eurasia has played a central role in global geopolitics. In the 20th century, numerous authoritarian powers from Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm II to the Soviet Union aimed for primacy through control of this vast landmass and its resources. Today, command of Eurasia is once again essential to understanding a key geopolitical trend, the inten

Trump's Vision for America and the World

Jan 24 2025 61 mins

On Monday, January 20th, Donald Trump took office as the 47th president of the United States. Now in his second term after a four-year hiatus, his inauguration heralds a new era for both the United States and the world. To look at Trump's vision both at home and abroad, Robert Kagan joins Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend on this week’s episode of Brussels Sprouts.  Rober

Canada, Trump, and the Post-Trudeau Era

Jan 17 2025 47 mins

In just a few days, Donald Trump returns to office with Canada in his sights. At the same time, it has been less than two weeks since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned. With an election expected in Canada the first half of the year - one that heralds a change of government - 2025 promises to be disruptive on both sides of the border. To take a broader look at the stat

What's to Come in 2025

Jan 10 2025 57 mins

As we welcome the new year, Brussels Sprouts is zooming out for a big picture view of what to expect in 2025. Top of mind is the impact of a second Trump presidency on U.S. foreign policy, as many worldwide grapple with tough questions about the future of Washington’s global leadership. Ukraine also faces a pivotal year in its war with Russia, as speculation about potential negot

What Can Europe do in Syria?

Dec 12 2024 50 mins

After 54 years of brutal rule in Syria, the al-Assad family’s reign came to an end last week. Following 13 years of devastating civil war, which saw over a million refugees flee to Europe, and millions more internally displaced within Syria, the rebel victory brought both a sense of relief and celebration while also bringing a sense of trepidation and anxiety about what might com

Turmoil in Paris and Berlin Going into a Second Trump Term

Dec 06 2024 48 mins

Earlier this week, France’s government collapsed following a successful no-confidence vote from left-wing and far-right lawmakers. This political crisis comes on the heels of the collapse of Germany’s ruling coalition several weeks ago, leaving both of the European Union’s largest member states rudderless at a time when the bloc faces major challenges. Simultaneously, the EU

Trump and the War in Ukraine with Michael Kofman and Robert Lee

Nov 22 2024 55 mins

More than 1000 days into the War in Ukraine, questions about continued support for the Ukrainian effort and the prospect of a negotiated settlement in the months to come have become all the more important. Trump has refused to say that he wants Ukraine to win the war and has pledged to end the war immediately. To help us make sense of this, Mike Kofman and Rob Lee join Andrea Kenda

What Trump Means for Europe with the Eurofile Podcast

Nov 14 2024 39 mins

For this special edition episode of Brussels Sprouts, Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend join forces with The Eurofile from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to reflect on the outcome of the recent United States presidential election with Max Bergmann and Donatienne Ruy. Listen in as they discuss what a second Trump term may mean for Europe, Ukraine, and

The Future of Russia and China in Central Asia

Nov 12 2024 51 mins

Despite the many proclamations that Russian and Chinese interests would collide in Central Asia, Moscow and Beijing continue to work together in service of their shared objectives. A new report from CNAS analyzes how the relationship is shaping the region. Read it here: Russia and China in Central Asia: Cooperate, Compete, or De-conflict? Most importantly, Russia and China seek to

Developing the European Defense Industry

Oct 31 2024 53 mins

Since the war in Ukraine began, the European Union has provided substantial military support to Kyiv. Yet years of underinvestment and a lack of coordination mean that Europe’s defense industrial base has struggled to keep up with demand. While there is a renewed sense of urgency to tackle this issue, in September, NATO’s outgoing secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg warned again