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College of Europe Podcast (Bruges)
Italy’s Role in the European Union
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This is the first episode of the podcast Europe: A Union of Regions or of Nations?, brought to you by La Voix du Collège, and in this episode, also in collaboration with the Italian Society.
This podcast aims to examine the role of different Member States in the European Union.
We are often taught that the EU is an international organisation, even if a sui generis one, where Member States remain central actors in its development. Many of the decisions made in Brussels require consensus at the national level, ensuring that national capitals continue to shape the European agenda.
To understand how the EU works today, looking at the interaction between national and European interests is essential. Each Member State brings its own priorities and plays a different role in shaping the Union's decisions. Through this podcast, we take a closer look at this dynamic by exploring the contrast between two visions of European integration: a Union of Regions vs. a Union of Nations.
In this first episode, our guest is MEP Dario Nardella (S&D) and we discuss with him the question: What is Italy’s role in the European Union?
Stay tuned for our next episode to look at another Member State!
This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
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8. CSDP 8 - Great Power Politics in the Sahel: Europe’s Role and Choices
32:14||Ep. 8In this eighth episode of CSDP, Antonio Tintoré Vicent is joined by Ambassador João Cravinho to discuss great power politics in the Sahel and what is at stake for Europe. Ambassador Cravinho is the EU Special Representative for the Sahel and formerly served as Portugal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence.The conversation explores the Sahel as a theatre of global competition, assessing the EU’s strategic interests alongside the United States’ diminished role, Russia’s military-focused presence, and China’s growing economic influence. The discussion also considers how local actors are gaining new leverage and what Europe must do to make its broader, long-term offer of political, economic, and institutional engagement more attractive.This podcast was recorded on the 17th of March 2025 and is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
Spain’s Role in the European Union
20:05|This is the fifth episode of the podcast Europe: A Union of Regions or of Nations?, brought to you by La Voix du Collège.In this podcast, we look at the role of different Member States within the European Union, examining how national and European interests interact. Each Member State brings its own priorities and plays a different role in shaping European Integration.Today, our guest is MEP Javier Moreno Sánchez, and we discuss with him the question: What is Spain’s role in the European Union?Stay tuned for our next episode to look at another Member State!This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
The Netherlands’ Role in the European Union
31:44|This is the fourth episode of the podcast Europe: A Union of Regions or of Nations?, brought to you by La Voix du Collège.In this podcast, we look at the role of different Member States within the European Union, examining how national and European interests interact. Each Member State brings its own priorities and plays a different role in shaping European Integration.Today, our guest is APA Teun Janssen, and we discuss with him the question: What is the Netherlands’ role in the European Union?Stay tuned for our next episode to look at another Member State!This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
Germany’s Role in the European Union
27:16|This is the third episode of the podcast Europe: A Union of Regions or of Nations?, brought to you by La Voix du Collège.In this podcast, we look at the role of different Member States within the European Union, examining how national and European interests interact. Each Member State brings its own priorities and plays a different role in shaping European Integration.Today, our guest is MEP Daniel Freund, and we discuss with him the question: What is Germany’s role in the European Union?Stay tuned for our next episode to look at another Member State!This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
7. CSDP 7 - European Economic Statecraft in a World of Weaponised Interdependence
41:23||Ep. 7In this seventh episode of CSDP, Antonio Tintoré Vicent is joined by Professor Abraham Newman to discuss the rise of geoeconomics and how Europe should adapt to an era of weaponised interdependence. Professor Newman teaches at Georgetown University and is co-author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, a landmark book on the geopolitics of globalisation and control over chokepoints in the international system. This conversation covers the strategic rationale behind Trump’s trade wars, the debate around weaponising interdependence, and the institutional reforms Europe needs to stay competitive in an age where economic power is increasingly politicised. Drawing on recent visits to Japan and Taiwan, Professor Newman also shares insights into how these debates are playing out in other democracies. Finally, the episode considers the future of the WTO and efforts to build international norms around economic coercion.This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
Spain’s Role in the European Union
21:22|This is the second episode of the podcast Europe: A Union of Regions or of Nations?, brought to you by La Voix du Collège.In this podcast, we look at the role of different Member States within the European Union, examining how national and European interests interact. Each Member State brings its own priorities and plays a unique role in shaping European Integration.Today, our guest is MEP Adrián Vázquez Lázara, and we discuss with him the question: What is Spain’s role in the European Union?Stay tuned for our next episode to look at another Member State!This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
6. CSDP 6 - Europe Wakes Up: What the ReArm Agenda means for the future of EU defence
49:27||Ep. 6In this sixth episode of CSDP, Antonio Tintoré Vicent is joined by Dr. Daniel Fiott to explore the EU’s evolving defence agenda. Dr. Fiott is Head of the Defence and Statecraft Programme at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy and one of Europe’s leading experts on defence industrial policy. This conversation unpacks the significance of the White Paper on Defence and the ReArm programme, while offering a broader reflection on defence spending, EU-NATO relations, and the prospects for an integrated European defence market. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of European security cooperation.This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
5. CSDP 5 - The Raisina Dialogue, the Global South and the Future of Global Governance
37:57||Ep. 5In this episode, we speak with Manuel Muñiz, Provost of IE University and former Secretary of State for Global Spain. Dr. Muñiz is currently attending the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, so we took this opportunity to discuss how India and the Global South are viewing recent developments in global affairs— from ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine to the Sino-American rivalry. We also explored what this means for the future of international governance and Europe's potential in fostering North-South dialogue.In the College Security and Defence Podcast (CSDP) students Alexander Neuhalfen and Pol Koopman delve into the many subjects that buzz around in European diplomacy, security and defence. Through interviewing a wide array of guests they hope to make sense of these often complex topics, while at the same time providing something nice and entertaining to listen to. This podcast is a collaboration of the College of Europe students' Security and Defence Society and Young Diplomats Society.This podcast is produced by students of the College of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.