Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO’s daily audio briefing on what’s moving Brussels — and why it matters.

The Brussels Playbook Podcast is the audio extension of the Brussels Playbook newsletter. Hosted by POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Zoya Sheftalovich, the podcast runs Monday through Thursday, offering a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. It’s a perfect companion for your morning coffee.

Each episode takes listeners inside the decisions, power shifts and debates shaping the day in Brussels — and explains how they connect to national capitals across Europe.

Clear, conversational and shaped by reporting from the heart of the EU, the Brussels Playbook Podcast brings context to EU politics as your day begins.

On Fridays, the same feed features a longer episode that goes deeper into the week’s biggest themes, offering context and analysis beyond the daily news cycle — with Sarah Wheaton behind the mic. 


News
Politics
News Commentary
1
What Ukraine needs to survive another winter
We’re back! And so are Urkaine’s key backers.
16 min
2
Week Ender archives: Is China the ‘abusive’ par...
We're still away on holiday — so here's an episode from earlier this year.
38 min
3
Week Ender archives: Can Europe quit American B...
The Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast is away for the summer holiday. 
37 min
4
Week Ender: Verhofstadt on "Trumpism", plus sum...
This episode is brimming with book recommendations from our newsroom.
33 min
5
Why are Commission staffers so miserable?
Commission officials describe high pressure, bureaucracy and burnout.
16 min
6
Europe's Palantir problem
Europe wants to kick its U.S. tech habit, but it’s struggling to detangle itself from Palantir. 
13 min
7
Can Europe contain the Ceuta fallout?
Home affairs ministers are meeting this morning as the fallout of the Ceuta crisis continues to roil Europe.
15 min
8
Ceuta triggers two days of EU emergency talks
The crisis in the Spanish territory is adding fuel to Europe’s bitter debate over migration.
15 min
9
Week Ender — Searing Contradiction: Wildfires a...
Wildfires may sound remote — something that happens deep in a forest or on an empty mountainside.
25 min
10
The race to save von der Leyen’s big speech
Officials are scrambling to make sure the Commission president has something to say in September.
15 min
11
The spectacular split in Poland’s right
Poland’s once-dominant Law and Justice party has split.
15 min
12
Can Europe fight fires this big?
Wildfires raging across France and Spain have forced more than 300,000 people from their homes.
16 min
13
Trump reopens the tariff fight
Icelanders begin voting on whether to restart accession talks with the European Union.
15 min
14
Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?
28 min
15
Brussels is coming for Google — and the bill co...
Google could be hit with the largest fine yet under the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
16 min
16
The EU’s Russia sanctions crunch
Today is a make-or-break moment for the EU’s 21st sanctions package targeting Russia.
15 min
17
Zoya and the crew answer your questions
We decided to do things a bit differently today.
13 min
18
Week Ender: Did Europe dodge a summer travel cr...
Europeans are travelling in huge numbers this summer — but the conflict in the Middle East, volatile fuel prices linked to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and a troubled new border system are making journeys more complicated.
21 min
19
Parliament takes a break. The plotting begins.
MEPs are about to head off on their six-week summer break. But that doesn’t mean an end to the political headaches. 
16 min
20
The border that vanished overnight
We take a look at one of the loose ends of Brexit that is finally being tied up.
14 min
21
A 'Super Tuesday' for a bigger EU
Enlargement is high on the list of priorities for the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU.
16 min
22
Why Europe still can’t agree on Israel
EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels as a growing group of countries push the European Commission to propose restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
14 min
23
Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
This week, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara.
40 min
24
Brussels gives cows a promotion
Europe’s cows now have a new job title: critical infrastructure. 
14 min
25
NATO’s boss says Trump was right
The EU is in disagreement over whether the Commission should allow Serbia to progress in its membership process.
16 min