Russia’s Post-Rebellion Moves, NATO’s Vilnius Summit, Europe’s 21st Century Woodstock, and More

Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to assert control and stability after the coup attempt by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin; NATO prepares for its summit in Vilnius, Lithuania with mounting questions about Ukrainian membership; hundreds of thousands attend Denmark’s Roskilde music festival that highlights the power of art in society; and Zambia secures a deal to restructure its $6 billion in sovereign debt.

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Hosts
  • Robert McMahon
    Managing Editor
  • Carla Anne Robbins
    Senior Fellow
Credits

Ester Fang - Associate Podcast Producer

Gabrielle Sierra - Editorial Director and Producer

Show Notes

Mentioned on the Podcast

 

Liana Fix, “For Europe, Time to Plan for a Post-Putin Russia,” CFR.org

 

Stephen Sestanovich, “How Should NATO Think About Ukrainian Membership After Russia’s Coup Attempt?,” CFR.org

 

Michelle Zauner, Crying in H Mart

 

 

Music Selections

 

Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, “Blenda

 

Villano Antillano and Pedró, “Reina de la Selva

 

Bad Bunny and Rosalía, “LA NOCHE DE ANOCHE

 

Burna Boy, Ye

 

Japanese Breakfast, “Be Sweet”  

 

Rina Sawayama, XS

 

Rema and Selena Gomez, Calm Down

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israel and Hamas reach a cease-fire deal aimed at exchanging hostages and prisoners while seeking a longer-term pause in fighting; the incoming Donald Trump administration weighs ambitious moves on immigration; Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin sign off on a twenty-year partnership agreement; and students in Serbia protest violations of civil rights.

United States

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Supreme Court hears arguments over the Joe Biden administration’s imminent banning of TikTok; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation prompts questions on the future of U.S.-Canada trade relations; and Europe’s eastern states confront energy issues after Ukraine stops the flow of Russian gas through its territory.

Ukraine

In this special year-end episode, hosts Bob McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins sit down with the New York Times’ chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe Steven Erlanger to review the biggest stories of the past year and discuss developments to watch in 2025. They analyze the conflicts and political developments in the Middle East and Europe, President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his national security team, the state of democracy worldwide, and more.

Top Stories on CFR

Technology and Innovation

U.S. government officials should quickly declassify information about the national security threat posed by Chinese-owned TikTok or risk huge public backlash and a global loss of stature as a free speech champion.

United States

President Trump has threatened new tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico. His trade plans threaten the future of the United States’ largest free trade agreement.

Cuba

Since Fidel Castro’s ascent to power in 1959, U.S.-Cuba ties have endured a nuclear crisis, a long U.S. economic embargo, and persistent political hostilities. The diplomatic relationship thawed under President Barack Obama, but many restrictions have since been renewed.