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
51
Why are drones suddenly terrifying Europe?
With drone alerts, emergency shelters and fighter jets over the Baltics, Europe’s security fears suddenly feel much less theoretical at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague.
15 min
52
Brussels wanted less red tape. It hasn't proved...
Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room.
13 min
53
Budapest and Kyiv break the ice
After years of Viktor Orbán blocking Ukraine’s path to join the EU, Budapest and Kyiv are talking again.
13 min
54
Why Brussels is getting tougher on China
The European Commission is preparing to take a much tougher line on China
14 min
55
Two transatlantic power brokers on why Europe s...
34 min
56
The Commission’s next big overhaul?
One of the Commission’s most powerful departments may be heading for a dramatic overhaul.
15 min
57
Could influencers crash future EU summits?
Ukraine wants Europe more involved in peace efforts with Russia.
14 min
58
French cinema is spooked by the far right
15 min
59
Who’s “European” — and who’s not?
We’re talking identity this week on EU Confidential — in more ways than one.
31 min
60
Field trip to Russia, anyone?
Cracks emerge between the Commission and Hungary’s new leadership.
15 min
61
Why the EU is freaked out about a new AI model
The Commission is unveiling its new anti-poverty strategy. But it doesn’t include any new cash.
14 min
62
The Parliament’s misspent €1.5 million
Political parties in the European Parliament are misspending their cash, while the public is left in the dark.
12 min
63
Putin’s ‘window of opportunity’ to test NATO
Europe yet again finds itself on the receiving end of Donald Trump’s ire. 
14 min
64
Why the ECB is in a tricky spot
The ECB will meet today and make a decision that depends heavily on events far away.
14 min
65
The Hungary reset: Magyar in Brussels chasing E...
The power shift in Budapest hasn’t happened yet — but Brussels is already engaging with what comes next.
13 min
66
The €1.8 trillion standoff
Today on the pod, we’re talking money, money, money.
14 min
67
Berlin turns up the heat
Europe is staring down a familiar and unwelcome set of circumstances: rising energy prices, slowing growth and growing political pressure.
14 min
68
Don't aggravate Trump on Iran: Veteran US ambas...
31 min
69
Too many crises for one summit?
Ian is in Cyprus for a high-stakes gathering of EU leaders.
12 min
70
The clock is ticking on the EU’s next budget
Brussels faces a narrowing window to strike a deal on its next long-term budget.
12 min
71
No Orbán, no excuses
EU foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today, and this meeting feels ... different.
12 min
72
SPONSORED EPISODE: Energy, security and the new...
Europe, in efforts to disentangle itself from Russian gas, has become increasingly aware of the vulnerability of its web of pipelines, subsea cables and offshore installations to hybrid attacks.
15 min
73
The Board of Peace, EU edition
This week is brimming with high-level meetings on foreign affairs. Let's get started.
12 min
74
What Orbán’s ouster means for MAGA, Le Pen and ...
Election night in Hungary was an emotional one ... but now, the work begins.
36 min
75
Can an ex-fighter-jet pilot run Bulgaria?
Viktor Orbán may be out — but his man in Brussels is not.
13 min