World Review with Ivo Daalder

World Review with Ivo Daalder

Global events move fast—World Review helps you keep up. Each Friday, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder brings together leading journalists and experts to break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next. A Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs podcast from Harvard Kennedy School. ivodaalder.substack.com

Episodes

July 10, 2026 51 mins

Key Topics

  • Renewed fighting between the United States and Iran
  • Whether the Strait of Hormuz could become a toll-based choke point
  • NATO unity, Trump’s unpredictability, and Europe’s response
  • Greenland tensions and the future of transatlantic relations
  • Russia’s fuel crisis, drone strikes, and domestic pressure on Putin
  • The broader shift toward rearmament and a more fragmented world order

Links

Kari...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • How the American experiment of government based on consent and inalienable rights ignited global movements and reshaped societies, from Europe to Asia.
  • The complex legacy of America’s post-1945 institutional order, the Marshall Plan, NATO, United Nations, and whether this framework still works or if it's fundamentally broken.
  • The rise of competing models like China’s authoritarian capitalism and the i...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • The evolving political landscape in the UK a decade after Brexit, including public sentiment and potential reintegration into the EU
  • The current state of Iran's nuclear deal negotiations, sanctions, and regional power dynamics
  • Ukraine's recent large-scale strikes on Crimea targeting Russian military infrastructure and the implications for the ongoing war

Links

Catherine Philp - https://www.thetimes.com...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • Geopolitical implications of the World Cup and its representation of global powers.
  • Economic analysis of hosting the World Cup and its impact on host countries.
  • FIFA's political dynamics and relationships with global leaders.
  • Cultural and national identity shifts in international football.
  • Stories of players with diverse backgrounds representing different nations.

Links

Giles Whittell - https://x.com/GWhi...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics
 

  • The implications of SpaceX's IPO valued at trillions in the context of AI's environmental and geopolitical impact
  • How the US's withdrawal from NATO commitments and reconsideration of missile deployments reflect shifting transatlantic relations
  • The ongoing US-Iran negotiations and their impact on regional stability and global diplomacy
  • The rise of AI and its regulatory challenges, including oversight,...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics
 

  • The evolving situation with Iran and Israel, including negotiations and proxy conflicts
  • Ukraine's recent territorial gains and the shifting momentum in the war against Russia
  • The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, highlighting US and global response deficiencies
  • The impact of US political dynamics on foreign aid and international policy
  • The significance of vaccine develop...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics
 

  • Iran's potential nuclear agreement and regional implications
  • Europe's diplomatic paralysis and its impact on Ukraine and Russia
  • The Vatican's moral challenge to AI and the political repercussions
  • Europe's defense posture and NATO readiness amid escalating threats
  • U. S. tech industry influence and regulatory debates on AI

Links

Shona Murray - https://events.euronews.com/euronews-on-air/spe...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics
 

  • The implications of the US indicting Cuba's former president Raul Castro and what regime change might look like
  • The impact of President Trump's summit with Xi Jinping on Taiwan’s security and US strategic ambiguity
  • The political crisis in Britain, the decline of the Labour Party, and the future of UK leadership
  • How European countries view US and China strategies in the context of Taiwan and bro...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics
 

  • The symbolism and outcomes of President Trump's meeting with President Xi in Beijing
  • Russia's economic and military challenges amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine
  • The strategic stalemate in the Persian Gulf and its global implications
  • The evolving U.S.-China relationship and its impact on global geopolitics
  • Iran's nuclear ambitions and the potential for diplomatic resolutions
  • The role of symbolism...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics
 

  • The emergence of war crimes trials in Syria and their impact on societal reconciliation
  • The break between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over oil production and regional influence
  • The decline of US-European relations amid troop withdrawals, trade disputes, and strategic disagreements
  • The instability in Lebanon and the implications for Israeli and Lebanese relations
  • The evolving nature of Middle Eastern ge...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
  • The Iran War stalemate and dual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the mounting pressure on both sides to reach a deal
  • Iran's hardliners consolidating power and the growing likelihood the regime pursues nuclear weapons as a deterrent
  • King Charles III's address to a joint session of Congress and its surprising ability to unite a deeply divided chamber
  • The diplomatic lesson of royalty and why pomp and circumstance may be ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
  • The evolving ceasefire and military dynamics in Ukraine, including the Western response and Ukraine's increasing technological resilience
  • Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire extension, Hezbollah's role, and opportunities for strengthening Lebanese sovereignty
  • Iran’s nuclear ambitions, domestic fractures, and the prospects for a diplomatic resolution amid US-Iran tensions
  • The impact of US foreign policy, regional allian...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • The Iran ceasefire and US naval blockade: what's holding and what isn't
  • US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan: prospects for a deal and the limits of unilateral diplomacy
  • Europe's divided response: the Paris talks between Macron and Starmer and the question of inserting Europeans into the negotiations
  • The Strait of Hormuz as Iran's ultimate leverage — and what "open" really means for trapped mariners
  • Viktor Or...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • The fragile Iran ceasefire: achievements and uncertainties
  • US presidential objectives and their evolution during the Iran conflict
  • NATO's membership challenges amid US skepticism and strategic disagreements
  • The influence of domestic politics on international alliances
  • The strategic implications of the Strait of Hormuz closure
  • The future of transatlantic relations and alliance cohesion
  • Pakistan’s mediati...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

The real implications of the Strait of Hormuz closing—how it’s causing energy shocks, economic disruptions, and geopolitical shifts.

Why Israel’s military campaign, despite overwhelming strength, might be eroding its long-term security stability.

The calculus shaping Gulf leaders’ fears and hopes amid rising regional tensions.

Inside the secret strategies and political dilemmas that threaten to tu...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • President Trump's claims of Iran begging for a deal and the US military's posture in the Gulf
  • The rift between the US and Europe, NATO's limited involvement, and European responses
  • The impact of recent European elections on future political directions
  • The emerging global payment systems bypassing traditional US sanctions
  • The broader implications of US and European foreign policy strategies

Links

Edward Lu...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • The escalation of the Iran war entering its fourth week, with detailed analysis of Iran’s military capabilities, sanctions, and the potential for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
  • The impact of the Iran conflict on US-China relations, including the fate of the planned US summit with Xi Jinping and China's strategic positioning amid military pressures
  • The US approach to Cuba, including the potential for regime ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics

  • The strategic objectives and possible endgame of Israel’s multi-front military campaign
  • The impact of U.S. political shifts and unilateral military actions on global credibility
  • Iran’s resilience, nuclear ambitions, and the regional threat after recent conflicts
  • The European response and evolving alliances amid U.S. disengagement
  • How global energy markets, especially oil prices, are influenced by th...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Key Topics
Iran war escalation and regional reactions
The role of AI in military operations and security
Energy sector disruptions due to Middle East conflict

Nahal Toosi | politico.com/author/nahal-toosi

Anton La Guardia | economist.com/our-people/anton-la-guardia

Prashant Rao | semaphore.co/author/prashant-rao

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Topic Breakdown

Ukraine war stalemate and future prospects
Impact of US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs
US strategy towards Cuba and regime change efforts

Chapters

00:00 The Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
10:07 Trump's Legal Setbacks and Economic Implications
19:53 Cuba's Political Landscape and U.S. Strategy

Guest links

Politico - https://www.politico.com/author/felicia-schwartz
The Observer - https://www.the...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices