The age of unorder

The age of unorder

Author: ECFR May 1, 2026 Duration: 25:01
Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
News

This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Ayşe Zarakol, professor of international relations at Cambridge University, to explore whether today’s global crises signal disorder or a deeper shift toward “unorder,” where shared rules and assumptions are no longer relevant. 


Drawing on historical parallels—from the interwar period to the upheavals of the 17th century—Zarakol suggests that this may be the start of a longer era of fragmentation. Together, they examine what this means for Europe, from letting go of old ways of thinking to redefining its role in a more unpredictable world. 


Rather than restoring a fading order, the focus shifts to a more urgent scenario: what is worth preserving and how can Europe adapt to chaos to survive? 


This podcast episode was recorded on 26th of February. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each week, Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes cuts through the noise of global headlines to explore the deeper forces at play. Curated by Mark Leonard, who directs the European Council on Foreign Relations, this ECFR podcast brings together leading thinkers, policymakers, and analysts from across Europe and the wider world. Their conversations move beyond the day's news to debate the underlying policies, strategic ideas, and geopolitical shifts that are actively shaping our future. The focus is consistently on understanding Europe's place in a complex international landscape, examining how it responds to crises and where it can exercise influence. Recognized for its quality with PolicyLab's 2019 award for best podcast on EU politics, this series delivers concise, substantive dialogue that fits into a busy schedule. As part of the EuroPod network, it offers a vital perspective for anyone looking to grasp not just what is happening, but why it matters. Tune in for a regular dose of informed discussion that connects the dots between events, decisions, and their long-term consequences.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Official website RSS
instagramyoutubelinkedinspotify
Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
Podcast Episodes
Nuclear rhetoric: Merz, Tusk and the future of deterrence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:55
This week Mark Leonard welcomes Piotr Buras senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Warsaw office to discuss the recent shifts in Europe’s defence strategy. On the weekend, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz’…
After Assad: Shifting power and new politics in Syria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:56
Fourteen years after the outbreak of civil war, Syria is at a critical juncture. Beyond its borders, regional tensions continue to shape its fate. Meanwhile, traditional global powers, particularly the US, remain largely…
German elections: Impact and implications for Europe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:13
The final episode of Searching for Deutschland—a special crossover with the World in 30 Minutes—sees experts from Berlin, London, Paris and Warsaw break down the result of Germany’s federal election and discuss what come…
Hot and cold wars: How Eurasia shaped the modern geopolitical world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
Hal Brands argues that, while American power is often seen as dominating the modern era, it is in fact part of a long and violent Eurasian century. From world war one to today's geopolitical tensions involving the US and…
Live from the Munich Security Conference: Europe’s wake-up call [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:57
Last week, US president Donald Trump shocked Europeans when he announced the start of peace talks on the war in Ukraine, following a call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Trump’s announcement fuelled fears th…
The Norwegian way: Why Oslo talks to everyone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:30
As a committed NATO ally and EU partner, Norway is deeply embedded in Western security structures and stands firmly with Ukraine against Russian aggression. But its ‘Norwegian model’ of foreign policy—engaging in dialogu…
Europe confronts Trump: the politics of transatlantic relations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:50
Less than two weeks into his second term and President Donald Trump is already dominating global headlines. From reigniting trade war threats and doubling down on his ambitions to acquire Greenland, to withdrawing from m…
Insights from Davos: Trump’s impact on the global economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:01
ECFR is live from the WEF 2025 in Davos, where top business leaders are gathered to discuss the state of the world. After Donald Trump’s inauguration just three days ago, attendees eagerly await the absent US president's…

«1...678910