Skip to content

Can Europe Defend Itself? Timothy Garton Ash on Europe's Future

October 14, 2026 · 32 min

Show notes

Europe’s past is not past. The borders of vanished empires still surface in election results. The European Union and Nato face a world in which Russia is aggressive, America is less dependable and Europe’s own ability to act remains fragmented. Here in Britain, the political argument has begun to move from whether Brexit worked to what a return might demand.

In this episode, Margherita Volpato speaks to historian Timothy Garton Ash. His new book, Europe in 7½ Chapters: The Shortest Introduction to the World’s Oldest and Newest Continent. They question what Europe’s past can teach us about its present and future. Should Britain consider rejoining the European Union? Is it time for Europe to create its own army? What is the future of liberal democracy?

Ash builds on the historical past of Europe to suggest where the continent can and should go next.

Timothy Garton Ash is a historian, political writer, Guardian columnist and Professor of European Studies Emeritus at the University of Oxford.

Margherita Volpato is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

All episodes of Intelligence Squared

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.