Sarah Wheaton
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Articles by Sarah Wheaton
US voters’ warning to European politicians
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music The Democrats scored a resounding victory in this week’s U.S. midterm elections. But will their triumph actually change anything for Europe? With the balance of power shifting in Congress, could the incoming lawmakers move the needle on issues Europe cares about, from tariffs to support for Ukraine? And what do MAGA’s bruising losses mean for Europe’s own nationalist and populist parties? Are they a warning for Europe’s far right?
How to find a job in the age of AI
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping Europe’s job market. The Commission is hoping to do something about that. Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss the unveiling of Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu’s Education and Skills Package.
Europe wakes up to a blue tsunami in the US midterms
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Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Overnight, the Democratic party has won the U.S. Senate and made decisive gains in the House. But this might not necessarily be good news for Europe. On this special episode, Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by Sarah Wheaton in Brussels and our Global Politics Bureau Chief Jack Blanchard, who is ringing in from Washington.
By Zoya Sheftalovich Verified, Sarah Wheaton Verified, Jack Blanchard Verified, Saga Ringmar Verified
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POLITICO Europe
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Inside America’s midterm election battle Original
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music America is heading to the polls for the midterm elections — and Europe is watching closely. With the outcome set to have consequences far beyond Washington, from trade to defense, we’re bringing you a special episode of The Conversation, hosted by POLITICO’s Dasha Burns. Dasha sits down with two political strategists working behind the scenes in some of America’s most consequential races: Republican T.W. Arrighi and Democrat Lis Smith.
The great EU-Canada lovefest
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music European leaders are descending on Montreal in a bid to forge closer ties with Canada. On today’s show, host Zoya Sheftalovich catches up with Sarah Wheaton, who’s on the ground at the EU-Canada summit. They unpack what the talks could actually deliver — from defense and critical raw materials to space and AI — and the Trump-shaped shadow hanging over it all.
Can Europe save the world’s war crimes court from Trump?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music U.S. President Donald Trump has the world’s war crimes court in his crosshairs. By sanctioning the entire International Criminal Court, his administration is threatening its ability to function. Europe has rushed to the court’s defense — but can it actually protect it from American financial power? And how far is the European Union willing to go to confront Washington when it still relies so heavily on the U.S. for its own security?
Who speaks for Europe in the Ukraine peace talks?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music As the U.S. pushes to revive peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, a question is causing tensions in Brussels: Who actually speaks for the EU? Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton examine the growing influence of Ursula von der Leyen’s powerful chief of staff, Björn Seibert, and why Finnish President Alexander Stubb may be eyeing a bigger role. Then, have you ever received a suspicious message from Booking.com?
EU summit runs out of gas
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music It’s been a packed agenda at the European Council summit, with little sign of progress on key issues. EU leaders continued to argue over the bloc’s long-term budget, with energy supply and security taking up much of the discussion … including questions over strategic gas reserves and the future of the Emissions Trading System. The war in Ukraine looms large over the summit.
EU leaders face off over the budget
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music EU leaders meet today for their first chance to beef about the budget face to face. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton dive deeper into why leaders look increasingly unlikely to reach an agreement on the EU’s next money pot by December. Plus, Zoya obtained a document revealing deepening relations between Russia and Slovakia. Will that be a cause for concern around the Council table?
Is the EU ready for the next pandemic?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Five years after the height of the Covid pandemic, how much better prepared is the EU for the next health crisis? Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO health reporter Helen Collis and global health expert Michel Kazatchkine to discuss the mysterious death of a worker at a Russian anti-plague institute, and what it tells us about international health cooperation and transparency.
Can Europe finally get tough on China?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is kicking off his visit to China today — and the stakes are high. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss the most important topic on the agenda: Europe’s trade deficit with China. France and Germany are finally on the same page and want Brussels to get tougher on unfair trade. So can we expect results from the meeting?
Russia’s not-quite-war on Europe
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Europe’s gray-zone war with Russia is getting harder to ignore. Sarah Wheaton speaks to security expert and author Elisabeth Braw about how Europe should respond as sabotage, arson, cyberattacks and attacks on critical infrastructure become more frequent and more dangerous, who pays when businesses are targeted, and what happens when one of them turns deadly.
The €865 billion brainstorming session
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Ukraine’s prime minister is warning of a $20 billion defense funding gap as Russia intensifies its attacks and Kyiv struggles to protect its skies and keep the country running. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton look at just how much pressure Ukraine is under — from its military finances to farmers struggling to get their grain out.
Russia’s untouchable tycoons
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Europe breathed a sigh of relief after finally agreeing on a new Russia sanctions list. But attention is turning to the compromise that got it over the line: dropping two Russian billionaires. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss reactions from around the EU to the deal, plus revelations about why France might have wanted billionaire Alisher Usmanov removed from the list in the first place.
Canada seeks deforestation law carveouts as EU ties deepen
BRUSSELS — Canada's man in Brussels wants to rework how the European Union's landmark anti-deforestation law applies to Canadian businesses as the two sides explore ways to deepen their relationship.
EU and Canada to unveil new partnership, but it may not be ‘associate membership,’ says ambassador
Ottawa and Brussels will announce a comprehensive set of partnerships within the coming year, but the shape of the future relationship is still up for discussion, Canada’s ambassador to the EU said Tuesday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her State of the Union speech last week that the door would be open to Canada becoming “the first associate member” of the EU. But Ottawa has played down the formal nature of that arrangement.
Week Ender: Can Europe patch up the world in disorder?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music The old global order is breaking down. Ursula von der Leyen thinks Europe may have to start building something new around it. In her State of the European Union speech, she floated closer ties with Canada — even “associate membership” — and a new European Security Council, as Europe looks for new ways to work with like-minded powers in an increasingly chaotic world.
Trump Is Aiming Again at a Familiar First-Term Target. The Consequences Could Be Deadly.
Jurisprudence By Richard L. Revesz and Sarah Wheaton Sept 17, 20263:26 PM Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images and Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images. Sign up for Executive Dysfunction, a weekly newsletter that highlights one under-the-radar story about how Trump is changing the law—or how the law is pushing back—and keeps you posted on the latest from Slate’s Jurisprudence team.
Von der Leyen makes it awkward with Canada
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney takes the stage in Strasbourg after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised EU capitals by floating “associate membership” for Canada — a status that doesn’t actually exist, and that Ottawa itself seems reluctant to define.
Is Europe winning the ‘fight’? Von der Leyen’s SOTEU, one year on
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music When Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the European Union speech last year, the backdrop was chaotic. Russian drones had just crossed into Polish airspace, Donald Trump was casting doubt on America’s commitment to NATO, and the Commission president herself was facing votes of no confidence. Her answer to this disarray?
Behind Trump’s push to break the International Criminal Court
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music The U.S. is on a public campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court. Now, it wants help from its NATO allies. During a closed-door meeting back in July, U.S. envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker asked allied countries for help in disassembling the international court that addresses genocide and crimes against humanity. On the show, Sarah Wheaton and Kathryn Carlson discuss the European reaction and the motivations behind this American push.
Week Ender archives: Is China the ‘abusive’ partner the EU just can’t quit?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music The Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast is still away on holiday — but don’t worry, we will be back next week. In the meantime, here’s an episode from earlier this year about Europe’s attempts to protect its industry from Chinese products flooding the continent.
Week Ender archives: Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music This week and next, the Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast is away for the summer holiday. So, we thought we’d re-up this popular installment on Europe’s quest to become independent from U.S. tech.
Week Ender: Verhofstadt on “Trumpism”, plus summer must-reads
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music It’s August in Brussels, which means it’s vacation time. Whether you’re heading off to the beach or holding down the fort in town, this episode is brimming with book recommendations from our newsroom and from you, our listeners. Whatever your genre preference, from true crime thrillers to deep political dives, we’ve got your summer holiday covered. But this installment is not just a book chat.
Why are Commission staffers so miserable?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Working at the European Commission is one of the most coveted civil service jobs in Brussels. Yet, officials employed there describe high pressure, bureaucracy and burnout. Our colleague Seb Starcevic has interviewed dozen officials from different commissioners’ cabinets and directorates-general, varying in age, nationality and seniority.
Week Ender — Searing Contradiction: Wildfires and climate politics
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Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Wildfires may sound remote — something that happens deep in a forest or on an empty mountainside. But in Europe, there’s often very little distance between nature and major population centers. That’s why the fires near Bordeaux and Madrid have been so frightening: they’re not burning somewhere far away, but threatening homes, businesses and entire urban regions.
By Sarah Wheaton Verified, Dionisios Sturis, Saga Ringmar Verified, Zia Weise Verified, Marianne Gros Verified, Agnes Rønberg
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POLITICO Europe
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The race to save von der Leyen’s big speech
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Brussels may have entered summer mode, but one of the first big political moments everyone will be watching when they return to work is Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address in September. And officials still at their desks are scrambling to make sure the she has something to say.
Zoya and the crew answer your questions
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Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music July 21 is a national holiday in Belgium, so we decided to do things a bit differently on this long weekend. We recently celebrated our 100th episode with a live recording in front of an audience. Those in the room were lucky enough also to see an exclusive Q&A with Zoya and all the hosts. We’re now bringing that segment to our wider audience.
By Zoya Sheftalovich Verified, Ian Wishart, Sarah Wheaton Verified, Nicholas Vinocur Verified, Kathryn Carlson Verified, Dionisios Sturis, Saga Ringmar Verified
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POLITICO Europe
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Week Ender: Did Europe dodge a summer travel crisis?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Europeans are traveling 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.
A ‘Super Tuesday’ for a bigger EU
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Enlargement is high on the list of priorities for the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU … and Dublin is not wasting any time. On the sidelines of the EU’s General Affairs Council happening today, there will be four separate accession conferences: for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro — to formally mark progress in their membership bids.
A ‘Super Tuesday’ for a bigger EU
Culture 5 hours ago We Finally Know The Name of a Revered Maya Astronomer-Mathematician: Sak Tahn Waax ScienceAlert - David Nield • 5h The Classic Maya period, from around 250-900 CE, is seen as something of a golden age for the civilization.
Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music This week, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara — giving President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a powerful stage at a moment when Turkey’s strategic value to Europe is rising.
Brussels gives cows a promotion
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Far-right National Rally’s Marine Le Pen has announced she’ll run in the 2027 French presidential election, following Tuesday’s shock court ruling which cleared the way for her to do so. But what does that mean for Europe? On Tuesday, a Paris appeals court upheld Le Pen’s guilty verdict but reduced the amount of time she’s banned from holding public office. That means she can run — but under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
Has Ukraine found Russia’s weak spot?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Ukraine has a rare advantage over Russia … but only if its allies move fast enough to sustain it. After months of attacks on refineries, fuel depots and supply routes, Kyiv has finally hit Russia where it hurts. Hour-long queues, empty pumps and rationing are affecting large parts of the country. The question now is whether it’s enough to actually threaten President Vladimir Putin.
Nobody touch the farm budget — our 100th episode, live from Brussels
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Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music We’re celebrating 100 episodes this summer! To mark this milestone, today’s show was recorded in front of a live audience with the full lineup of our rotating podcasts hosts. Kicking us off, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart talk about the Irish presidency that starts today. They discuss how Dublin might tackle one of Europe’s most politically dangerous budget fights: the money allocated for farmers.
By Zoya Sheftalovich Verified, Ian Wishart, Kathryn Carlson Verified, Nicholas Vinocur Verified, Sarah Wheaton Verified, Dionisios Sturis, Saga Ringmar Verified
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POLITICO Europe
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Can Europe help repair the invisible scars of war?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music After four and a half years of war, Ukraine’s physical destruction is easy to see. But the psychological damage caused by occupation, displacement and loss is much harder to measure — although just as urgent to repair. David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and a former British foreign secretary, joins Sarah Wheaton after returning from southern Ukraine.
Rebuilding Ukraine under the shadow of a presidential row
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Ukraine’s allies are gathering in Gdańsk to talk about rebuilding the country — even as Russia continues to destroy homes, power stations and critical infrastructure. Zoya Sheftalovich reports from the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where governments, banks and businesses are trying to turn political promises into real investment.
Who should negotiate with Putin?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Brussels Playbook Week Ender host Sarah Wheaton is on the ground at the European Council summit, where divisions over European Council President António Costa’s outreach to the Kremlin divided leaders and dominated an evening that was supposed to be devoted to confronting the trade deficit with China.
Europe’s budget war starts now
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music EU leaders arrive in Brussels for a summit dominated by two major debates: How far Europe should go in confronting China and how the bloc should shape its next long-term budget. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton break down the tougher mood toward Beijing, the divisions among capitals and the battle over what Europe should spend its money on.
Are voters hopelessly divided or universally angry?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Across Europe, political instability, fragmentation and polarization are increasingly becoming the norm. But how are governments tackling these tensions? On this episode of the Brussels Playbook Week Ender, host Sarah Wheaton and her guests hone in on three countries: France, Greece and Denmark.
Can Ireland defend its trade with Russia?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, heads to Dublin today with awkward questions for Ireland. The country is facing increased scrutiny over the fact that a Russian-owned refinery on Irish soil continues exporting alumina to Russia — a raw material that can feed Moscow’s industrial and military supply chains. The timing is especially awkward since Dublin is preparing to take over the EU’s rotating Council presidency.
Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music The European Commission has finally unveiled its long-awaited tech sovereignty package — a push to make Europe less dependent on foreign technology after years of relying on U.S. cloud services, chips, AI infrastructure and digital tools.
Who keeps the Russian shadow fleet afloat?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music As the EU prepares to target Russia’s shadow fleet in the 21st sanctions package, we’re looking at the system that keeps these ships in business. Every one of these Russian vessels carrying sanctioned goods requires port access, crews, financial services and more to stay operational. On today’s episode, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton pinpoint insurance in particular.
China: the ‘abusive’ partner the EU just can’t quit?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Is the EU finally ready to get serious about China? That’s the question increasingly dominating conversations in Brussels as fears grow that Europe is being squeezed by Beijing’s industrial machine. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Sander Tordoir from the Centre for European Reform, Grzegorz Stec from MERICS and POLITICO’s Jordyn Dahl to discuss the European Commission’s attempts to forge a common stance on China.
The ban threat facing Europe’s far right
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Europe’s far right is yet again under the microscope as a European Parliament watchdog moves to ban the Alternative for Germany’s EU party. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss how the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations party — home to Germany’s AfD — risks losing EU funding and even its status as a political party.
Who’s ‘European’ — and who’s not?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music We’re talking identity this week on EU Confidential — in more ways than one. First, host Sarah Wheaton sits down with Theresa Kuhn, professor of European studies at the University of Amsterdam, who has led a major research project tracking how European identity has evolved across the continent over the past five decades.
Field trip to Russia, anyone?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Péter Magyar promised a full reset between Hungary and Brussels after Viktor Orbán’s defeat — but the EU may be ready to unlock only part of Hungary’s frozen billions. Zoya Sheftalovich, dialing in from Madrid, and Sarah Wheaton unpack the first possible tensions emerging between Brussels and post-Orbán Hungary. Then: a right-wing MEP is planning a trip to Russia — and inviting fellow lawmakers along.
The Hungary reset: Magyar in Brussels chasing EU funds
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music The power shift in Budapest hasn’t happened yet — but Brussels is already engaging with what comes next. Péter Magyar arrives in Brussels as Hungary’s incoming prime minister, skipping the usual waiting period and heading straight into talks with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. His aim: unlocking billions in EU funds frozen over rule-of-law concerns.
Too many crises for one summit?
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Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music On today’s show, Ian is in the sunny Mediterranean nation of Cyprus for the biggest gathering of EU leaders on the island for many, many years. Sarah joins from Brussels and Nick dials in from Greece, where he’s attending the Delphi Economic Forum. Expect the agenda of the leaders’ summit today and tomorrow to be heavy on geopolitics.
By Ian Wishart, Sarah Wheaton Verified, Nicholas Vinocur Verified, Dionisios Sturis, Saga Ringmar Verified
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POLITICO Europe
Verified
No Orbán, no excuses
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music EU foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss a hefty list of geopolitical crises. But compared with past gatherings, something feels … different. That might be because, without the presence of an obstructionist Hungary, the meeting could finally result in movement on several key topics.
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