Andras Baneth speaks with Sam Wilkin about the experience of living in the Middle East, how it shaped his sense of European identity, and the challenges of navigating multiculturalism in today’s Europe. They discuss the differences between national and cultural identities, what it means to be European, the tension between individual and collective values, family structures, language as culture, cancel culture, rising populism, freedom of speech, and the importance of nuance in public discourse. They also cover the influence of religion on social and political life, the dynamics of migration and integration, antisemitism, the media environment in Europe, and the growing challenge of addressing difficult social topics in a polarized climate.Sam Wilkin is a Brussels-based freelance writer and editor. He started his career in the Middle East, reporting for Reuters and Bloomberg, before moving back to Europe and progressing into senior editorial roles at MLex and Politico. He works for a range of media and public affairs clients and publishes a weekly essay on his Substack, The Leopard.Substack: theleopard.euLinkedIn:   / sam-wilkin-68b4782a