France and Germany are finally on the same page and want Brussels to take a tougher line toward China.

So can we expect results from EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič’s visit to Beijing?

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + @swheatonjourno.bsky.social discuss on #BrusselsPlaybookPod: vist.ly/5mhbp

Russia’s hybrid attacks across Europe have ramped up in recent months.

But EU governments are quietly preparing for something much worse — an attack that could result in mass casualties.

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + Ian Wishart unpack it on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election.

If he loses, that could be a problem for Ursula von der Leyen.

🎙️ Ian Wishart and @zoyashef.bsky.social explain why on today’s #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

🔗 pod.link/1244862657/e...

Spain’s snap election is poised to upend not just domestic politics … but EU politics, too.

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social and Ian Wishart break down the potential impact of the Madrid tumult on today's #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

🔗 vist.ly/5m6zv

The race for some of the EU’s most coveted diplomatic jobs is under way.

But why is this year’s routine rotation attracting unusually strong interest from senior Commission officials?

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social discuss it on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

Ukraine’s PM is warning of a $20 billion defense funding gap as Russia intensifies its attacks.

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + @swheatonjourno.bsky.social discuss on #BrusselsPlaybookPod.

+ They unpack the brainstorming session on how a huge chunk of the EU’s next budget should work 👇

French far-right politician Jordan Bardella allegedly made antisemitic remarks in a private chat in 2013.

But is this news enough to make a dent in Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign?

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + Ian Wishart unpack it on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

🔗 pod.link/1244862657/e...

Lobillo Borrero has become Ursula von der Leyen’s new adviser on the Clean Transition.

What does that say about the European Commission president’s relationship with her No. 2, Teresa Ribera?

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + Ian Wishart unpack it on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

🔗 politi.co/4y6z2KT/

Denmark, the U.S. and Greenland are preparing to sign a security deal at the U.N. General Assembly.

Will it be enough to ease months of tension between Donald Trump and the Danish territory?

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + Ian Wishart discuss on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

🔗 #[bit.ly/4xHA2nM

Two state elections have piled more pressure on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

That raises fresh questions about his leadership and what a weaker Germany could mean for the rest of Europe.

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social discuss on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

Relations between Brussels and Israel have been deeply strained over the war in Gaza.

But the bloc is struggling to withstand the allure of the country’s tech and missile defense prowess.

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social + Ian Wishart discuss it on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

🔗 bit.ly/4xKwDW2

The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, wanted a group of heavyweight ex-leaders to develop fresh ideas to address Europe’s defense gaps.

But the initiative was killed before it even launched.

🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social and Ian Wishart unpack it on #BrusselsPlaybookPod 👇

🔗 bit.ly/46JT4Pf

After victory in Saxony-Anhalt, the far-right Alternative for Germany could be in a position to govern the state.

What would it mean for Berlin and Europe?

🎙️ On #BrusselsPlaybookPod, @zoyashef.bsky.social and @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social discuss it with @vonderburchard.bsky.social 👇

The EU’s next seven-year budget talks are deadlocked over the size of the money pot.

But the capitals’ red lines are starting to take shape.

🎙️ On #BrusselsPlaybookPod, @zoyashef.bsky.social and Ian Wishart explain why that’s actually a step forward for the negotiations 👇

🔗 #[bit.ly/46CHk0T