EU Untangled

Rare earths power the technologies we rely on every day, from smartphones and electric vehicles to wind turbines, advanced weapons systems, and AI infrastructure. Yet despite their growing importance, Europe remains heavily dependent on supplies and processing capacity controlled by a handful of countries, especially China. What happens when access to these critical materials becomes a geopolitical bargaining chip?

In this episode of EU Untangled, we sit down with Dominika Remžová, Research Fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, to unpack the mechanics behind rare earths. We explore why rare earths matter, how China came to dominate global supply chains, and whether the EU can realistically secure a more resilient and independent source of critical raw materials.

Guest: Dominika Remžová, Research Fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies and ESRC-funded PhD researcher in Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham

Hosts and producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth

Research and communication support: Martina Domladovac

Further reading:

Listen … to a few of our previous episodes:

Subscribe:

Contact

His name graces a Brussels roundabout, a metro station and the European Parliament’s traineeship programme — but who was Robert Schuman, really?

Born a German citizen in Luxembourg, only becoming French at age 33, Schuman moved around Europe for his studies and was a quintessential European long before the concept became mainstream. In this episode, Victor and Martina trace his extraordinary life: from devout Catholic to law student to French Prime Minister and Foreign Minister — taking in his almost forgotten role under the Vichy regime, his plot-twisting arrest by the Gestapo, and his daring escape through occupied France with a 100,000 Reichsmark bounty on his head.

At the heart of the episode is the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, the visionary proposal that placed French and German coal and steel production under a common authority — rendering war among European nations, in Schuman’s words, “not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible.” That declaration laid the institutional foundations of what we know today as the European Union.

The episode also asks some harder questions: does his wartime resistance and peace-building efforts absolve his earlier vote to hand full powers to Marshal Pétain? How can a man on the path to Catholic sainthood also be the architect of a secular supranational project? And are the innovative institutions Schuman envisioned seven decades ago fit-for-purpose today? 

Hosts: Victor Aguilar & Martina Domladovac

Producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth

Communication support: Martina Domladovac

… to other EU Untangled episodes from 2025:

As the sound of jingle bells draws ever nearer, Victor and Alex take you on a rollercoaster ride of the EU’s highs and lows of the past 12 months. Untangle with us a year of consequential elections, trade headaches, an increased focus on security and deregulation, a major new multi-annual budget for the EU and two failed attempts to oust the European Commission’s president. Tune in for the year untangled – the quick and dirty recap you didn’t know you needed to cheer goodbye to 2025.

Hosts and producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth

Research and communication support: Martina Domladovac

… to other EU Untangled episodes from 2025:

What does it actually take to join the European Union, and why does the path to membership often resemble entry into one of the world’s most demanding clubs? In this episode of EU Untangled, Victor and Alex explore the EU’s enlargement history, why countries seek membership, the political and economic conditions they must meet, and how the accession process unfolds. The episode also examines what membership requires in practice, why expulsion is not foreseen in the treaties, and how withdrawal works when a member chooses to leave. Finally, it looks ahead at the rationale for further enlargement, the EU’s potential limits, and the scenarios that could shape its future.

Hosts and producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth

Research and communication support: Martina Domladovac

… to a few of our previous episodes:

What is money in the digital age? Cash, cards, crypto – and now central bank digital currencies. The European Central Bank is working on a digital euro, a new form of central bank-backed money meant to boost Europe’s autonomy, competitiveness, and innovation.

In this episode, we explore how a digital euro might work in practice, what benefits it could bring, and why its current design risks falling short. Is this a bold step into the future of payments or a missed chance to rethink Europe’s financial system?

Whether you’re curious about the future of cash, the rise of digital payments, or Europe’s place in the global financial system, this episode breaks down what’s at stake as the euro goes digital.

Guest: Cyril Monnet, Professor of Economics at the University of Bern and the Study Centre Gerzensee.

Hosts and producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth.

Research and communication support: Martina Domladovac.

… to a few of our previous episodes:

What do Champagne, Halloumi and Parma ham all have in common? They’re not just delicious — they’re protected. Andrea Zappalaglio helps us unpack the world of geographical indications (GIs), the EU’s unique way of safeguarding products that are deeply tied to a specific place, tradition, and know-how.

We unpack what GIs are, why they exist, who decides what makes the cut, and what happens when a dispute bubbles up (yes, even over bubbly). We discuss whether GIs help local communities thrive or if they limit competition. Are they powerful tools in trade negotiations, or barriers to entry? And what happens when climate change or new technology shakes up centuries-old traditions?

If you’ve ever wondered why names matter — and how a simple label can carry history, pride, and billions of euros — this episode uncorks the secrets behind the EU’s most flavorful rules.

Guest: Andrea Zappalaglio, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at the University of Leeds.

Hosts and producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth.

Research and communication support: Lisa Vallese and Martina Domladovac.

… to a few of our previous episodes:

In this episode of EU Untangled, hosts Alex and Victor sit down with Nicolas Moës, Executive Director of The Future Society, to explore the promises and perils of artificial intelligence. They discuss the risks AI poses not only to individuals but to society as a whole. Nicolas explains why the EU is regulating AI and whether the AI Act goes far enough. Finally, they debate whether the EU is falling behind in digital innovation due to overregulation and how smarter rules could actually lead to more innovation.

Guest: Nicolas Moës, Executive Director of The Future Society

Hosted & produced by Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth; Lisa Vallese and Martina Domladovac supported the preparation and communication.

… to a few of our previous episodes

The EU is often seen as a maze of bureaucracy, endless rules, and policymaking so complex it needs a manual, but humor? Not exactly its strong suit. Enter DG MEME, the website that pokes fun at EU politics while making it more understandable, one meme at a time. In this episode of EU Untangled, we sit down with Fabio Mauri, the mastermind behind DG MEME, to talk about how it all started, the creative process behind the scenes, and whether Brussels can actually laugh about itself.

Guest: Fabio Mauri, Director-General of DG MEME (Directorate-General for Memes, Satire and Sober Fun)

Hosted & produced by Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth; Lisa Vallese supported the preparation and communication.

… to a few of our previous episodes

Welcome to a “The Week Untangled” by EU Untangled. We look back at the past week to give you a quick and dirty recap of what has happened in the past seven days in and around the EU. Short, crisp and sassy. So, you can recap the week and enter the weekend with a clear conscience, feeling well-informed, knowing that you didn’t miss anything important.

… to a few of our previous episodes

The European Union is a powerhouse in many ways – a shared market, a common currency, and a united front on everything from climate policy to consumer protection. But when it comes to defence, things get murky. Despite its origins as a peace project after two world wars, the EU lacks a unified defence policy or an army of its own. Why is that? And could or should that ever change? In this episode of EU Untangled, Ionela Ciolan, research officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, outlines the current security threats to the EU and what should be done to address them. She also highlights the challenges of the European defence industry and answers whether the EU should have its own army.

Guest: Ionela Ciolan, Research Officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

Hosted & produced by Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth; Lisa Vallese supported the preparation and communication.

… to a few of our previous episodes