World Review with Ivo Daalder – Details, episodes & analysis

Israel is under fire this week as international frustration mounts over chaotic aid efforts in Gaza and fears of an expanded ground offensive. US Envoy Steve Witkoff’s new ceasefire proposal, however, has sparked cautious hope, with talks ongoing despite setbacks. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is undergoing a shakeup as Marco Rubio consolidates power in his add-on role as National Security Advisor, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces internal Pentagon strife, doubts about his leadership, and questions about an illegal warrantless wiretap. Finally, President Trump is pushing for a nuclear deal with Iran amid threats of an Israeli strike, complicating an already fragile diplomatic landscape. Carla Anne Robbins, Nahal Toosi, and Karen DeYoung join Ivo Daalder on the Council's stage in Chicago for a special live recording of the farewell episode of the Council's "World Review with Ivo Daalder" podcast. 

President Trump’s decision to step back from peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin has rattled NATO allies and raised fears of weakening Western unity. Critics warn the move emboldens Moscow, while Trump touts future trade with Russia. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te marked his first year by calling for dialogue with China while pledging to bolster defenses amid growing military threats and political friction at home. And the US and EU are moving forward with easing sanctions on Syria, hoping economic relief will prevent renewed civil war, despite concerns over Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Jamil Anderlini, Ken Moriyasu, Liz Sly join Ivo Daalder on World Review to analyze and offer insights on this week’s pressing global developments. 

This week, Germany bets big on its future as parliament approves Friedrich Merz’s bold €1 trillion push for defense and infrastructure, shattering borrowing limits to counter Russia and cut reliance on the US. Is the debt gamble worth it? In the Middle East, Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza shatters a fragile ceasefire, killing more than 400 and igniting protests in Jerusalem. Political maneuver or military necessity? And Iran is back in President Trump’s crosshairs, having been warned over Houthi attacks and given a two-month deadline to strike a nuclear deal. Will tensions explode? Bobby Ghosh, Stefan Kornelius, Catherine Philp join Ivo Daalder on World Review to weigh the risks, motivations, and consequences of this week’s geopolitical power plays. 

Clashes continue in France over pension reform, raising pressure on Macron. Meanwhile, Netanyahu pauses judicial reform after public outcry for sacking his defense minister. Plus, Xi Jinping met with Putin for two days of joint criticism of the West and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen arrives stateside. Council President Ivo Daalder examines these issues with Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Roger Cohen, Bobby Ghosh, and Anton La Guardia on World Review.

This week marked the 20th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. The World Review team looks back at the war’s impact on the Middle East, the West, and global stability, and the international cost of American intervention in Iraq when it comes to support for issues like Ukraine today. Council President Ivo Daalder is joined by Susan Glasser, Gideon Rachman, and Carla Anne Robbins. 

Beijing brokers a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with big implications for the civil war in Yemen. Plus, the AUKUS crew unveils plans for nuclear-powered Australian submarines. What does this mean for the future of US-China tensions and the potential repercussions in the Indo-Pacific? Council President Ivo Daalder dives in with Deborah Amos, Jamil Anderlini, and Peter Spiegel on World Review.

President Xi Jinping tightens his grip over the Chinese Communist Party by embarking on a third five-year term. Meanwhile, Russia’s new offensive sputters as Ukraine builds up its own forces. Plus, fallout from the G-20 meeting begs the question: has India’s foreign policy hit a wall? Council President Ivo Daalder examines these issues with Ravi Agrawal, Steven Erlanger, and Nahal Toosi on World Review.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Biden are set to discuss Germany's shifting role in Europe after a year of Russia's war. How can both nations best support Ukraine? Plus, Israeli police crack down on the thousands protesting Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul. Guest host Carla Anne Robbins is joined by Caroline de Gruyter, Bobby Ghosh, and Stefan Kornelius to talk details on World Review.  

President Biden showed solidarity with Ukraine in a surprise visit to Kyiv, while China’s top diplomat Wang Yi touched down in Russia to strengthen the countries' relationship. Is this meeting a precursor to one between Putin and Xi? Plus, Putin suspends Russia's participation in the New START nuclear pact. CFR’s Carla Anne Robbins guests hosts World Review with Karen DeYoung, Steve Erlanger, and Nirmal Ghosh for a discussion on where the three powers stand at the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  

In this week’s show: Presidents Erdogan and Assad face mounting criticism for their governments’ woeful earthquake responses, NATO allies sound the alarm on Ukraine’s ammunition shortage, and spy balloon hysteria continues to strain US-China relations. The Atlantic’s Kim Ghattas guest hosts World Review with Susan Glasser, Prashant Rao, and Peter Spiegel to discuss.