US and Russian negotiators met in Saudi Arabia this week and, in a stunning reset, agreed to re-establish normal relations and work together to end the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, from Mar-a-Lago President Trump blamed Ukraine for the war and called President Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator.” What does this shift mean for Ukraine, NATO, and US security commitments? Then, we examine Arab states’ alternate plans for Gaza—what do they propose, are any of them viable, and what will the impact be on the region’s dynamics? Finally, we turn to Beijing, where China’s President Xi Jinping met with top entrepreneurs at a big tech summit. Will Xi be able to boost investor confidence and promote high-tech industries while ensuring businesses align with government priorities? Bobby Ghosh, Prashant Rao, and Liz Sly join guest host Carla Anne Robbins on this week’s World Review to analyze shifting alliances and intensifying global power struggles.

As world leaders gather in Munich this week for their annual security conference, Ukraine will once again take center stage – though mainly because of the two people who won’t be there. Presidents Trump and Putin discussed the war and committed to work towards peace in a phone call, but didn’t commit to involving Ukraine in the talks. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told his counterparts in Brussels that the U.S. had other interests and Europe needed to take care of its own security. A new Council report explains how Europe can do so. To discuss how these transatlantic tensions will play in Munich, Stefan Kornelius and Steven Erlanger join Ivo Daalder in Munich for a special episode of World Review, recording on the sidelines of the year’s most important security conference.

President Trump’s proposal for US control of Gaza and relocating its population sparked global backlash this week and was deemed unrealistic and illegal. Top administration officials are now walking back elements of the proposal, insisting US troops won’t be used to clear the territory and relocation would be temporary. Is this just another Trump negotiation tactic as some have suggested? Meanwhile, the administration, with Elon Musk’s support, is dismantling USAID, placing thousands on leave and possibly merging it into the State Department. How will this move impact US soft power and national security? Lastly, after pausing tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Trump claimed victory as both nations pledged to secure the border and crackdown on fentanyl trafficking and organized crime. The 10% China tariff, however, remains intact. How real or effective is Trump's follow through on one of his biggest campaign promises? David Luhnow, Peter Spiegel, and Nahal Toosi join Ivo Daalder this week on World Review to unpack these issues and more.

Donald Trump’s first week in office has ushered in a new era in America’s relationship with the world. Pax Americana out; Great Power Competition is in. Whether it is buying Greenland, controlling Panama, threatening tariffs on Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and China, Trump wields American power to get what he wants. That creates both new opportunities. And new dangers. James Lindsay of the Council on Foreign Relations and Matt Kaminski of Politico join Ivo Daalder for a discussion of Trump’s World in this week’s edition of World Review.

On Monday, European leaders watched the inauguration of President Trump from Davos and fretted about his threats to impose sweeping tariffs, his demands for significant increases in European defense spending, and the possibility he may shift America’s stance toward Ukraine. He already has followed through on withdrawing from the Paris climate agreements and the World Health Organization. Soon after the inauguration, newly sworn in Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with foreign ministers of the Quad countries - Australia, India, and Japan – an indication that countering China’s influence remains a top priority for Trump. How are European and Asian nations adapting to shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics in a new Trump era? Ken Moriyasu, Catherine Philp, and Prashant Rao join Ivo Daalder on this week’s World Review to analyze how Europe and Asia are responding to Trump’s return to office. They’ll also discuss the Gaza ceasefire and whether it is likely to hold.

President Biden entered office with ambitious foreign policy goals and is leaving a complicated legacy. Though he navigated the global COVID-19 pandemic, rallied allies to support Ukraine, and implemented policies to address climate change, challenges such as the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, record illegal border crossings, the war in Gaza, and high inflation marred his term. The Gaza cease-fire that looks eminent mirrors a Biden proposal, yet Donald Trump has claimed credit for the deal. Will Biden’s presidency be remembered as an interlude between two Trump terms? Jamil Anderlini, Anton La Guardia, and Carla Anne Robbins join Ivo Daalder on this week’s World Review to evaluate Biden’s foreign policy record and what he leaves behind for Trump, including the Gaza cease-fire deal that Israel’s cabinet still needs to ratify and waning public support for continuing to aid to Ukraine.

In this episode, we unpack the first major global stories of 2025. Donald Trump’s expansionist rhetoric this week toward Greenland and Panama reflects his “America First” doctrine and risks violating international law, alienating allies, and deepening global tensions. How serious is he? Meanwhile, tech titans Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg stir misinformation controversies. What does Musk hope to gain by targeting European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with unverified allegations? And what impact will Meta’s decision to discontinue third-party fact-checking have on democracy? Ravi Agrawal, Susan Glasser, and Philip Stephens join Ivo Daalder to discuss the wild start to 2025 and what, if anything, might surprise them this year.

In our final episode of 2024, we’ll dig into the stories that are not only dominating the headlines this week but also will command attention well into 2025. First, how is the Syrian revolution already reshaping the Middle East and how will it affect the balance of power in the region? Then, European leaders, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO chief Mark Rutte, gathered in Brussels this week ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration to discuss support for Ukraine. What do Trump, Europe, and Zelensky want? Finally, we’ll wrap up by addressing President Trump's renewed hostility toward the press and examine what it might mean for press freedom during his second term. Steven Erlanger, Bobby Ghosh, and Carla Anne Robbins join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories on World Review.