What's Europe's role in a divided world?

At a time of major geopolitical turbulence, Europe finds itself at a crossroads. Long regarded as a pillar of stability and multilateralism, the continent's role in today's increasingly divided world is being tested in numerous ways – as are its key institutions.

There is a new fragility to Europe's external relationships – underscored by Trump's threats to impose tariffs on EU imports, and by disagreements on security guarantees for Ukraine.

This episode dissects Europe's changing role and influence in the world today. Experts explore how European nations can come together to face external threats effectively, and identify some immediate opportunities for change.

Among our guests is ODI Europe’s Board Chair, Ambassador João Vale de Almeida, who shares ideas put forward in his thought-provoking new book The Divorce of Nations: A Diplomat’s Inside View as the Global Order Collapses. We also hear from historian and political writer Timothy Garton Ash, and Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London.

Guests

• Sara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODI Global
• Timothy Garton Ash, Professor of European Studies, University of Oxford
• Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King’s College London & Director, UK in a Changing Europe
• João Vale de Almeida, Chair of the ODI Europe Board and a former European Union Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations

Related resources

• The Divorce of Nations: A Diplomat’s Inside View as the Global Order Collapses (João Vale de Almeida, The History Press, 2025)
• Homelands: A Personal History of Europe (Timothy Garton Ash, Penguin Random House, 2023)
• How is Ukraine redefining global security? (Think Change podcast, ODI Global)
• Europe and the new world order: an updated approach to foreign engagement (Briefing paper, ODI Global)
• Can ‘the West’ be trusted? The future of European humanitarian aid (Insight, ODI Global)
• Navigating aid and national interest in Ukraine: the development toolbox of European donors (Insight, ODI Global)