Women Leaders

A long war is unimaginable to people in the developed world. Since WWII, most states in Europe have not experienced conflict in their lands, barring the Balkans in the 1990s, and the US has never really lived through such a reality, apart from the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 and the attacks of 9/11. And while some parts of Africa are mired in conflict as indeed is the Middle East, it is the success of the postwar order that war is largely not an ongoing backdrop to life across the globe.And then there is Ukraine: invaded in 2014 by Russia, that illegally annexed the Crimea then sent its “little green men” into the Donbas, where there has been fighting ever since. Then came the full scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Incredibly, Ukraine repelled most of the Russian invaders, but a deadly front line was established alongside ongoing vicious Russian attacks on cities and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.How do you understand these events as a journalist inside Ukraine, trying to report the truth while not exposing your state at war? How do you cover these events as an international journalist, seeking the real story without endangering people? And what happens to truth and journalism in a long war in which civil society is a strong player and corruption rears its head?To answer these and many other questions Ilana Bet-El is joined by Kristina Zeleniuk of website TSN and Kim Barker of the New York Times. A fluid, fascinating and funny conversation with passionate journalists.This episode was recorded on 13 November 2025ChaptersThe call for journalism: passion and purposeNavigating journalism in a war zoneThe current state in UkraineThe impact of corruption scandal on Western supportThe critical role of Ukrainian civil societyMentionsTSN websiteDmytro KhyliukThe Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and PakistanWhisky Tango FoxtrotArticles on the corruption scandal: NABU & CNNFollowKim Barker  New York TimesKristina ZeleniukIlana Bet-ElInstagram @women_leaders_podcast & YouTube channelELN websiteCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

There are many aspects to our current events: trade wars, international realignments weakening democracies, strengthening autocracies, social discontent, wars kinetic and hybrid, a faltering international system and much more. Each element may be explained individually but taken together they add up to no less than a revolution: a change so fundamental that even after the wheels stop spinning there will be no return to the previous ways.Professor Janice Stein, founder of the Munk School of Global Affairs and one of the most fascinating experts ever on wars and global affairs joins Ilana Bet-El in a deep, fast moving and incredibly informative conversation on our age of revolution. From the US to China and Europe, and from the past to the future -- this episode explains how and why the world is in such turmoil.ChaptersWhat are the challenges in global trade and economy?Canada’s economic strategyThe crisis of developed democraciesThe real European Union's strugglesThe role of experts and public trustMentionsMunk School of Global Affairs & Public PolicyLawyers vs. engineers: Dan Wang sees U.S.-China dynamics in a new paradigmErza Klein, AbundanceIlana Bet-El & Rupert Smith, Le Grand désenchentement: Vivre à l'ère d'insécuritéTracy Chapman, Talkin Bout A RevolutionFollowJanice Stein Munk School of Global Affairs & Public PolicyIlana Bet-ElInstagram @women_leaders_podcastWatch this episode on our YouTube channelOur partner European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn Facebook, websiteCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-rollLicense code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

As most international mediators know, Israel-Palestine is a conflict to avoid. Intellectually, it should be solvable, but in reality it is intractable.In this episode we bring together a Palestinian and an Israeli — Dr Tahani Mustafa of the ECFR and Dr Miriam Rosman of the Dvorah Forum — hoping to move beyond intractable, due to the Gaza ceasefire. It has heralded much hope for a better future, alongside deep confusion as to what such a future can and should hold. However, the discussion ended up reflecting the absence of trust, empathy, or understanding on both sides.This is an important and passionate episode that highlights the significant challenges in even establishing a common starting point for dialogue, let alone negotiation. From history to reality and from humanity to sympathy, there is a long way to go in creating the conditions for negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians.This episode was recorded on 16 October 2025ChaptersDiverging perspectives on the ceasefireIs any path forward?Building trust over traumasFollowTahani Mustafa  LinkedIn, European Council on Foreign RelationsMiriam Rosman LinkedIn, Dvorah ForumInstagram @women_leaders_podcastWatch this episode on our YouTube channelOur partner European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn Facebook, websiteIlana Bet-ElCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-rollLicense code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Donald Trump is everywhere: at the UN General Assembly, at special press conferences, at meetings of his military leadership and in the White House - condemning Europe and climate change one day, announcing a Gaza deal the next, doubling down on tariffs the third, doing nothing about Russia throughout. In the meantime the US seems to be ever more in turmoil, with the Federal government shut down, a sliding economy, intense political and social division.China is seemingly enjoying the show, lapping up the Global South and assembling world leaders for international meetings and a vast military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Backing Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, it is clearly happy to pick up world leadership as the new US seemingly sheds most vestiges of it. Yet all the while it is also negotiating a trade deal with the US, flooding the global market with over production and watching its own economy in turmoil.So what is China really doing? Can it survive the tariffs? Can it pick up where the US leaves off or is it just part of the turmoil? Lauren Gloudeman, Director, China at Eurasia Group joins Ilana Bet-El to talk through the current China challenge in all its aspects. A deep and interesting conversation with someone who knows people, language and culture!This episode was recorded 30 September 2025MentionsEurasia websiteLauren’s previous episode “Trade Wars”Trump at the UNGA - China commitments at the UN Climate conferenceOther episodes “China, the world, and power” “China All Around”ChaptersUnderstanding China's role in global affairsTrump's objectives with ChinaHow China's economic is doing?China's relationship with RussiaIs it a new Cold War between China and the West?FollowLauren Gloudeman LinkedInInstagram @women_leaders_podcastWatch this episode on our YouTube channelEuropean Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn websiteIlana Bet-ElCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

International development has come to an end, according to some economists. Be it the sudden closure of USAID earlier this year, the shift of EU and NATO states to defence spending, or the populist inspired interest in isolationism, the inclination to fund others is diminishing.However, development is not just about foreign aid: it is also about allocating the means to improve the one that benefits all. Whether the national eradication of disease or international drives towards better governance and prosperity, the core idea is not charity. So, what actually is development? There can be no better person to explain and explore the wide and complex world of development and its core international function than Susan Brown, United Nations Assistant Secretary General at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and head of its advocacy efforts. A woman with incredible experience in the international world, she brings in-depth knowledge, common sense and a lot of wit to the core needs of the world.This episode was recorded 17 September 2025MentionsUNDPAdam Tooze, The End of DevelopmentWomen not rescued in Afghanistan earthquakeChaptersCurrent challenges facing the UNUnderstanding development and differentiating it from humanitarian aidUNDP's budget and funding sourcesThe future of UNDP and global developmentEngaging corporates in developmentFollowSusan Brown UNDP website & X/TwitterInstagram @women_leaders_podcastWatch this episode on our YouTube channelEuropean Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn Facebook, websiteIlana Bet-ElCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

The summer is over but it has hardly been a period of repose and relaxation: the world has continued in its turmoil, not least at the behest of the US. In moves that have often baffled traditional US allies, the current Trump administration has made brash moves claiming to be about Making America Great Again (MAGA) but which ultimately seemed to signify US retreat from global leadership. From attacks on science and education within the US to courting Vladimir Putin while alienating the EU, Canada and other western allies, it seems as if the current US administration is intent upon making real China and Russia’s wish for a multipolar world without a second, or indeed any thought.How do these changes manifest within the US? Is the external perspective even registering? Does it matter? And why does the Democratic Party seemingly find it so difficult to muster a response? To broach these questions and so much more Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jodi Rudoren, Editorial Director of Newsletters at the New York Times — and to be clear, there are 100 newsletters that reach over 17 million people! — in a lively and probing discussion into life, politics and ideas in the US in the second Trump administration.This episode was recorded on 4 September 2025MentionsJodi’s episode last SeptemberNewsletters at The New York Times: The Morning & DealBookFilm: I’m still hereChaptersThe current state of US Politics and newsThe erosion of trust in political systemsThe Democratic Party's struggles and future directionsEveryday life amidst political turmoilPerceptions of global enemiesThe Israel-Gaza situationGlobal leadership dynamicsFollowJodi Rudoren  LinkedIn & X/TwitterInstagram @women_leaders_podcastOur new YouTube channel Our partner European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn Facebook, websiteIlana Bet-ElCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

While the eyes of many have been on the US, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, Israel, Gaza, the wider Middle East and much more, the southern Caucasus, that collection of states composed of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, have been roiling between order and disorder - and attracting the attention of many power players. In Georgia, the Russia-backed government is cracking down on opposition leaders, while Armenia is in political disarray following Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023.Traditionally the playground of Russia - either as the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union - all three states are currently in flux, attracting the attention of Turkey, the US and the EU. Russia, on the other hand, immersed in its insane war on Ukraine, has lost its grip. Apparently insignificant states and regions have a nasty habit of suddenly coming to the fore, dominating the agenda and changing geopolitical focus. The southern Caucuses may be ripe for such a twist, not least as the war in Ukraine drags on, dragging Russia ever further away from prosperity and regional domination.To understand these fascinating dynamics, Ilana Bet-El is joined by the excellent Tinatin Japaridze, Eurasia analyst at the Eurasia Group. With fascinating insights into each state and the region as a whole, she helps clarify why Russia is on a losing pitch in the South Caucasus, the West is on the up, democracy does not always deliver, and peace is necessary - if elusive.This episode was recorded 10 July 2025 and we will be back in September after a short summer break!MentionsJailing of opposition politicians in GeorgiaZangezur corridorNagorno-Karabakh conflictTinatin’s previous Women Leaders episodeFollowTinatin Japaridz LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Eurasia websiteHer book Stalin’s Millennials: Nostalgia, Trauma and Nationalism@women_leaders podcastOur partner ELN Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, websiteIlana Bet-ElCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

The NATO summit in The Hague (24-25 June) will be recalled for a number of reasons: the allies, barring Spain, committed to raising their spending on defence to 5% of GDP by 2035, a sum deemed inconceivable before; there were no significant disagreements, not least because all allies went out of their way to ensure that US President Trump was not upset, by anything; and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, formerly Premier of the Netherlands for a decade who objected to any form of extraneous collective spending, on defence and much more, managed to overshadow all Trump pacifiers by referring to him as Daddy.One of the signs that the past five years have been dense and intense is that there has been a NATO summit every year since 202. But then again, in a world of increasing tensions and wars, latterly in Iran and endlessly in Ukraine, Gaza and the wider Middle East; in a world of Putin, Xi and of course Trump, summits are necessary just to keep allies on board, or at least afloat. But they also showcase the harsh reality of a world of Strong Men who think of themselves as Big Men, making history.This is a marked change to the previous decades, definitely since the end of the Cold War, and to understand its meaning, as well as the spectacle of the NATO summit, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two Big Women Leaders who were ambassadors to NATO: Kerry Buck of Canada and Muriel Domenach of France. Reflecting on the alliance, the summit, security, defence, common values and much more, this strong discussion takes us on a Transatlantic tour in a time of major change.This episode was recorded on 26 June 2025ChaptersWhat was the outcomes of NATO Summit?Trump evolution over the NATO SummitsHow Europeans deal with Trump behaviour?What is the future of NATO?MentionsNATO Summit pageHague Summit DeclarationRutte on TrumpJohn Bolton on TrumpFollowKerry Buck LinkedIn, X/TwitterMuriel Domenach LinkedIn, GlobsecInstagram @women_leaders_podcastELN Twitter LinkedIn websiteIlana Bet-ElCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat