Europes new Iron Curtain

Published: March 30, 2022, 5:36 p.m.

Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine raises the question: could Vladimir Putin attack Nato\u2019s eastern flank? The alliance is greatly increasing its defences all along this \u201cNew Iron Curtain\u201d.


The New Statesman\u2019s writer-at-large Jeremy Cliffe has been reporting from Estonia, where the UK has doubled its military presence. He speaks to Emily Tamkin in Washington DC and Ido Vock in Berlin about the evolution of Nato since the end of the Cold War and how it has changed since the Russian invasion. 


Meanwhile, Joe Biden delivered a speech in Warsaw on Saturday (26 March) to reassure Ukrainians and Nato of his continued commitment. The team discuss whether it marks a permanent shift in Washington\u2019s foreign policy agenda or if attention will return once more to China.


Then in You Ask Us, a listener asks if the presence of Syrian fighters in Ukraine and the potential presence of Belarusian troops changes the balance with regards to foreign intervention in the war. 


If you have a question for You Ask Us, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk.


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Further reading:


Emily Tamkin on Joe Biden\u2019s ad-lib and the limit of words.


Jeremy Cliffe on the new Iron Curtain.



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