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
Week Ender — Searing Contradiction: Wildfires a...
Wildfires may sound remote — something that happens deep in a forest or on an empty mountainside.
25 min
2
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
3
The spectacular split in Poland’s right
Poland’s once-dominant Law and Justice party has split.
15 min
4
Can Europe fight fires this big?
Wildfires raging across France and Spain have forced more than 300,000 people from their homes.
16 min
5
Trump reopens the tariff fight
Icelanders begin voting on whether to restart accession talks with the European Union.
15 min
6
Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?
28 min
7
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
8
The EU’s Russia sanctions crunch
Today is a make-or-break moment for the EU’s 21st sanctions package targeting Russia.
15 min
9
Zoya and the crew answer your questions
We decided to do things a bit differently today.
13 min
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
This week, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara.
40 min
16
Brussels gives cows a promotion
Europe’s cows now have a new job title: critical infrastructure. 
14 min
17
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
18
The verdict that could shake up French politics
Europe awaits a crucial verdict in the case of France’s National Rally leader, Marine Le Pen.
15 min
19
The man behind the EU's Kremlin outreach
We take a closer look at the busy life of António Costa’s right-hand man.
15 min
20
Bonus episode: Ernstfall — What if Russia attac...
What if Russia attacks NATO?
30 min
21
Can NATO allies avoid a clash with Trump in Ank...
30 min
22
Has Ukraine found Russia’s weak spot?
Ukraine has a rare advantage over Russia … but only if its allies move fast enough to sustain it.
15 min
23
Nobody touch the farm budget — our 100th episod...
To celebrate our 100th episode, we recorded in front of a live audience.
20 min
24
Europe’s awkward embrace of Turkey
Three very senior EU heavyweights are on the ground in Turkey today.
14 min
25
Europe’s foreign policy turf war
The EU’s diplomatic service is losing power, people and influence to Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission.
15 min