European leaders haunted by memories of the 2022 energy crisis are bracing for impact as the war in the Middle East begins to drive up oil and gas prices.

Today on the podcast, host Zoya Sheftalovich and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Nicholas Vinocur discuss what tools the EU has at its disposal to soften the blow for consumers — is the bloc better prepared than it was four years ago?

Later on: A rocky relationship is on the mend. The European Parliament’s two largest political groups — the European People’s Party and the Socialists and Democrats — are hoping dinner dates can resolve the bad blood between them.

Plus, what part of Belgium is the happiest? Stick around until the end to find out.

Thoughts? Comments? Send us a message or a voice note to our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29.

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