Rephonic
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Ukraine
Russia
NATO
European Union
United States
Middle East
China
Vladimir Putin
Alternative For Germany (AFD)
Germany
Iran
Henry Kissinger
Military Support
Far-Right Parties
Transatlantic Security
Russian Presidential Election
Economy
Global South
U.S. Foreign Policy
Vietnam War

Small bites on Transatlantic Security, NATO, the EU, Russia, and all things Europe. Hosted by Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend at the Center for a New American Security.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes222Founded9 years ago
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News

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Latest Episodes

On April 7, after more than five weeks of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 14-day ceasefire, provided Iran allows passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The following day, the leaders of seven European states—plu... more

While the world's attention has turned to the war with Iran, the war in Ukraine continues. Russia has seemingly kicked off its spring offensive, but a meaningful breakthrough remains unlikely. Moscow has increased the tempo of its operations, relying... more

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On March 14, in the wake of a global energy shock triggered by the United States military campaign against Iran, President Donald Trump called on allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian attacks on commercial shipping have disrupted ... more

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On March 2, 2026, in a speech at France’s Île Longue base, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled major changes to France’s nuclear deterrence doctrine. First, Macron announced an increase, the first since 1992, in France’s nuclear stockpile. Fran... more

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Recent Guests

Elina Ribakova
Vice president for foreign policy at the Kyiv School of Economics; non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics
Kyiv School of Economics; Peterson Institute
Episode: The War in Iran, a Benefit to Putin
Bill Taylor
Ambassador; distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center
Atlantic Council
Episode: The War in Iran, a Benefit to Putin
Jeremy Shapiro
Research Director on US foreign policy and transatlantic relations
European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: The United States, Iran, and the Risk to NATO
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook
Executive Vice President
Bertelsmann Foundation
Episode: The United States, Iran, and the Risk to NATO
Julian Barnes-Dacey
Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program
European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Europe’s View on Operation Epic Fury
Al Carns
UK Minister for the Armed Forces
UK Government
Episode: Reflecting on Four Years of War in Ukraine
Nick Burns
Former U.S. Ambassador to China and NATO, currently a Professor of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Episode: Can China Capitalize on Changing Transatlantic Currents?
Franz-Stefan Gady
Military analyst and participant in a war game simulation regarding Russian invasion.
Episode: Can Europe (Ever) Defend Itself?
Barry Posen
Professor of International Relations at MIT and former Director of the MIT Security Studies Program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Carney's Challenge: Can Europe Take the Reins of NATO?

Hosts

Andrea Kendall-Taylor
Co-host with a focus on U.S.-European relations and strategic communications. Frequently engages with leading experts in international fields.
Jim Townsend
Co-host known for his expertise in defense and NATO issues. Engages in critical discussions on military strategy and transatlantic alliances.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 179 ratings
  • Carney’s Challenge

    The schizophrenia of the guests was amazing to listen to. As much as these guys had contempt for Trump, they finally admitted that Europe unilaterally disarmed militarily. They failed to mention that Europe is de-industrializing, destroying their economies and turning over their sovereignty to Islam. Yet, they laughably claimed that Europe has the resources, industrial base and will to change. There is little evidence to support this. No country can just turn on defense production. For the past ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jim from Silicon Valley
    United States2 months ago
  • Helpful but inaudible overview

    I agree with previous reviews that the guests are great and grounded in data, but that’s a moot point when they’re so hard to hear. Please do audio checks.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    TommyJWFresh
    United States3 months ago
  • Technical issues

    You need to fix the microphone of your guests

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    JanMasaryk
    United States3 months ago
  • Biased much?

    I don’t think that Andrea and her cohost could be any more biased toward a particular political persuasion—even if it’s covered with a candy coating of “but wouldn’t you say…” or “yes, but what about our European partners’ concerns” to maintain a modicum of neutrality.

    That being said, the guest speakers were several episodes were excellent in that they grounded the conversation with less ideology and more facts.

    TL;DR - ignore the moderators, listen to the guest speakers, and pinch your nose... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bluelabeldrinker
    United States4 months ago
  • More Cringe Foreign Policy

    I listened to the episode “US Should Unlock Allied Cooperation”. It was full of platitudes, circular logic and stating obvious from former Biden Admin officials. The Biden FP was a huge failure so even having these guests is questionable. The Trump Admin rightly sees the Europeans as having weak militaries, economies and leadership. As a result, a more focused approach by these “Allies” is a superior approach. The guests want more European help in Asia when the Europeans were unable to provide h... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jim from Silicon Valley
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the expertise of the guests and the depth of discussion on crucial international security issues, acknowledging the quality of insights provided.
Some comments indicate frustration with the hosts' question phrasing, suggesting it sometimes detracts from the guest's ability to contribute meaningfully.
Critiques have been raised regarding perceived biassed questions from hosts, which some listeners feel detracts from the overall balance of the discourse.
Positive feedback highlights the hosts' knowledge and ability to engage with significant current events, enhancing the understanding of complex geopolitical issues.
There are frequent concerns about audio quality, hindering the listening experience despite the content being perceived as highly relevant and informative.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#190
Ukraine/News
Apple Podcasts
#210
Finland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can Europe (Ever) Defend Itself?
Q: Is it plausible, in your view, that Russia could try something like this?
Yes, the Russian military has expanded significantly and could feasibly prepare for such operations sooner than most may think, especially if the ongoing war with Ukraine concludes.
Transatlantic Tensions in the New National Security Strategy
Q: What does the strategy imply about U.S. expectations for Europe in the current geopolitical climate?
The strategy suggests Europe needs to take more responsibility, particularly in conventional defense, while the U.S. remains committed to its nuclear posture, indicating a shift towards greater European autonomy in security matters.
Transatlantic Tensions in the New National Security Strategy
Q: Where do you think we are regarding the National Security Strategy and what are your reactions to it?
Many European capitals have expressed alarm and condemnation towards the National Security Strategy, marking a notable moment of tension in transatlantic relations as it does not align completely with established norms around U.S.-Europe dynamics.
The Russia-Iran Partnership: A Geopolitical Balancing Act
Q: Has the nature of Russian support changed for Iran after the 12-day conflict?
Yes, it appears to be limited, as Iran expected more support during critical times but faced disappointments, raising questions about the depth of the partnership.
The Russia-Iran Partnership: A Geopolitical Balancing Act
Q: What was the Iranian response to the lack of Russian support during the 12-day conflict?
Iranian perceptions vary, with domestic criticism being vocal but not necessarily reflecting the views of military leaders; some factions still express reliance on Russia while projecting self-sufficiency.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Brussels Sprouts

What is Brussels Sprouts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores vital and nuanced discussions surrounding Transatlantic security, focusing on the dynamics of NATO, the European Union, and relations with Russia and China. Episodes feature expert guests from educational institutions and think tanks, offering insights into contemporary geopolitical challenges, military strategies, and the evolving responsibilities of European nations in defense matters. Listeners can expect to hear thoughtful analyses of events affecting international relations and security as well as discussions around U.S. foreign policy and its impact on European allies. Notably, the program emphasizes perspectives on cooperation among allies, the complexities of military readiness, and the strategic implications o... more

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1. Russian Roulette
2. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. War on the Rocks
5. Geopolitics Decanted with Dmitri Alperovitch

How many episodes of Brussels Sprouts are there?

Brussels Sprouts launched 9 years ago and published 222 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Brussels Sprouts?

Recent guests on Brussels Sprouts include:

1. Elina Ribakova
2. Bill Taylor
3. Jeremy Shapiro
4. Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook
5. Julian Barnes-Dacey
6. Al Carns
7. Nick Burns
8. Franz-Stefan Gady

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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