In this episode, Roundtable explores the growing divide between Israel and the EU over the genocide on Gaza and war in Lebanon.

Spain, Ireland and Slovenia are pushing to suspend a major EU-Israel trade deal, while Germany and Italy are blocking this move. 

So, is this a temporary fracture or the point of no return for EU-Israel relations?

Joining Enda Brady for the discussion:

Pablo Calderon Martinez

Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at Northeastern University London

Yossi Mekelberg

Guest Professor at University of Roehampton

Gregoire Roos

Director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia Programmes at Chatham House

And Marta Grande, Former President of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Chamber of Deputies of Italy 

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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European nations are looking at a NATO without the US if President Trump follows through on his threats to walk away.

Trump is furious at NATO members for refusing to join the war on Iran and assist in the Strait of Hormuz.

It has prompted European allies to accelerate a fallback defence plan in case the US leaves.

The idea is a ‘European Nato’ where leadership would come from within the continent and would maintain deterrence against Russia.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has downplayed fears of a US exit.

For decades, Nato has depended on American military dominance. Can Europe step up and replace the US in the alliance?

Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:

Leo Michel

Former Director for NATO Policy at the Pentagon and Non-Resident Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs

Gerlinde Niehus

Former Deputy Director, Defence and Security Cooperation at NATO and an Independent NATO and International Security Analyst

Jean-Francois Belanger,

Assistant Professor at the Royal Danish Defence College

And Paul Ingram

Director of the Global Stability Network

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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In this episode, Roundtable looks at how close Europe is to running out of jet fuel and how this may impact the upcoming summer holidays.

The head of the global energy watchdog IEA is warning that Europe has only six weeks supply of jet fuel left before shortages will hit the continent if disruption to traffic in the Strait of Hormuz does not improve.

Flight tickets are set to rise and airlines are already cancelling flights. European airlines are calling for urgent EU emergency measures.

Can Europe avoid widespread summer travel chaos?

Anita Mendiratta 

Special Adviser to the Secretary General of UN Tourism

John Strickland

Air Transport Consultant

Sally Gethin

Aviation and Travel Journalist

And Fabrizio Poli

Aviation Adviser and Partner at Jet365

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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In this episode, Roundtable looks at the future of Bulgaria after its election of an allegedly “pro-Russian” Prime Minister.

The country - which is a key NATO and EU ally, strategically located on the Black Sea - has long battled with endemic corruption.

But after decades of shaky coalitions and political infighting, Bulgarian voters have rallied around the former President Rumen Radev.

He’s promising more balanced relations with both Brussels and Moscow - putting ‘Bulgaria First’

Joining Enda Brady to discuss: 

Anna Krasteva

Founder and director of the Centre for Refugees, Migration and Ethnic Studies

Spasimir Domaradzki

Senior fellow at the Institute of Central Europe and lecturer at the University of Warsaw

Ognyan Georgiev

Journalist and Managing Director of the news agency SeeNext

Diana Eftimova

Chair of the board of the Institute for Public Environment Development

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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In this episode, Roundtable looks at Switzerland’s upcoming referendum on capping its population at 10 million.

The proposal has been put forward by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, the SVP, which is warning of a ‘population explosion’.

The current number of people living in Switzerland is nine million. Supporters argue a limit is essential to tackle growing pressures such as housing shortages but others fear a big impact on the economy with some thinking it's a 'crazy' idea.

How likely is Switzerland to vote yes to the 'no to 10 million' vote and what would be the consequences if they do?

Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:

Reto Foellmi

Professor of International Economics

Gunilla von Hall

Journalist

Jennifer Sciubba

Demographer and CEO of Population Reference Bureau

Walther Michl

Professor of European Law

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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Is Dubai’s status as the ultimate safe haven for the super-rich under threat from Milan?

Following the Iran war, many wealthy have fled Dubai towards Milan, Europe’s rising “millionaire capital”.

Is Milan reinventing itself as the new home for the super-rich or will Dubai hold onto its status as the ultimate global hub? 

Joining Enda Brady to discuss:

Charlie Mullins, Chairperson of WeFix, who is based between Spain and Dubai

Angelica Donati, a construction entrepreneur

Amro Zakaria, an economic analyst and financial services industry strategist

And financial journalist, Ian King.

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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For six days, Ireland's roads and major cities were brought to a standstill as fuel protests swept the country.

Farmers and lorry drivers blockaded gas depots, motorways and Ireland’s only oil refinery, protesting at rising fuel costs due to the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

Motorists panic bought fuel, leading to the closure of hundreds of petrol stations as they ran dry. 

The government has announced a 550 million dollar package to help but will it be enough to prevent further protests?

Joining Enda Brady to discuss:

Frances Fitzgerald, Ireland’s former deputy prime minister

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent

Jonathan Healy, a broadcaster and managing director of the PR firm Healy Communications. 

And Kevin Meagher, who is a writer and commentator on British and Irish politics.

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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The world may be edging closer to a global recession as the US-Israeli war on Iran sends shockwaves through the global economy.

At the centre of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route now effectively disrupted, cutting off a significant share of global energy supply and pushing oil prices towards or even beyond $150 a barrel.

Markets are rattled, trade routes are under strain and fears of prolonged economic damage are rising.

So how close are we to a full-blown recession and will this conflict tip the global economy over the edge?

Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:

Chris Weafer

Founding Partner of Macro-Advisory

Ann Pettifor

British Economist and Director of Policy Research in Macroeconomics

Matthew Agarwala

Economist and Bennett Chair of Sustainable Finance, Bennett Institute, University of Sussex.

Greg Swenson

Chairperson Republicans Overseas UK

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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Hungary appears to be entering a new, more pro-European chapter following a landslide election victory by opposition leader Peter Magyar.

Magyar secured a landslide win, bringing an end to 16 years of rule under Viktor Orban.

The newly elected leader declared that Hungary would become a “European country again.”

What kind of Hungary rises from the ruins of the Orban era?

Joining Enda Brady to discuss: 

Mark Lousau, journalist.

Gergely Rajnai, Chief Analyst at the Center for Fair Political Analysis in Budapest

Andras Laszlo, Member of the European Parliament for Viktor Orban's Fidesz party

Gunilla Von Hall, Journalist

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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Fuel rationing is being introduced in some European countries over fears of a global energy shortage as the Iran war continues.

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, the final fuel tankers are expected to reach Europe by mid-April.

The EU has warned that member states should consider travelling less and working from home to conserve energy with European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen saying the EU is preparing for a "long-lasting" energy crisis.

Some Asian nations are already experiencing energy shortages. A state of national emergency has been declared in the Philippines, while Bangladesh has closed its universities over fears that fuel reserves will soon run out.

The aviation industry is also in turmoil, with many flights delayed or grounded due to rising fuel costs.

How soon could Europe run out of fuel and what measures may European leaders be forced to implement?

Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:

Thomas O’Donnell

Energy and Geopolitics Strategist

Olga Khakova

Non-resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Centre.

Lidia Wojtal

International Programme Lead at Forum Energii

To access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

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