The World Next Week

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Supreme Court hears arguments over the Joe Biden administration’s imminent banning of TikTok; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation prompts questions on the future of U.S.-Canada trade relations; and Europe’s eastern states confront energy issues after Ukraine stops the flow of Russian gas through its territory.   Mentioned on the Podcast   Amanda Coletta, “‘Hot Mess’: Trudeau’s Turmoil Draws Trump’s Taunts,” Washington Post   Robert Kagan, “Trump Is Facing a Catastrophic Defeat in Ukraine,” The Atlantic   Adam Segal and Zoë Moore, “What’s Next for TikTok: Ban, Sell, or Presidential Reprieve?” CFR.org   Varun Sivaram, “Five Climate Realism Insights on California’s Wildfires,” CFR.org   Trisha Thadani and Will Oremus, “Meta Embraces Fact-Checking Program That X Users Say Is Like ‘Whack-a-Mole’,” Washington Post For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/hegseth-faces-senate-hearing-scotus-hears-tiktok-case-canada-weighs-future-leadership-and-more

In this special year-end episode, hosts Bob McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins sit down with the New York Times’ chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe Steven Erlanger to review the biggest stories of the past year and discuss developments to watch in 2025. They analyze the conflicts and political developments in the Middle East and Europe, President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his national security team, the state of democracy worldwide, and more.   Mentioned on the Podcast   James M. Lindsay, “Ten Elections to Watch in 2025,” CFR.org   National Centers for Environmental Information, “Monthly Global Climate Report for October 2024,” NCEI.NOAA.gov   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/world-next-year-wars-new-governments-stormy-weather-watch-2025

Syrians begin the early stages of government formation as global and regional powers scramble to devise a strategy for Syria after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad; Georgians protest their government’s postponement of European Union (EU) membership talks as Romanians look for answers following the cancellation of their presidential election results; the United Kingdom (UK) accedes to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership; and China opens an anti-monopoly case against U.S. chipmaker Nvidia.   Mentioned on the Podcast   Luke Allnutt et al., “Romania's 'King Of TikTok' Tied To Alleged Scheme Boosting Far-Right Presidential Candidate,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty   Veronica Anghel, “Why Romania Just Canceled Its Presidential Election,” Journal of Democracy   Thomas Graham, “What Assad’s Fall Means for Russia in the Middle East,” CFR.org For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/syrians-plot-transition-turmoil-georgia-romania-uk-joins-trans-pacific-trade-deal-and-more

Impeachment looms for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of martial law spurred mass protests; French lawmakers passed the first no-confidence vote in more than sixty years, as the country is set to mark the the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral; Syrian rebels continue a surprise offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after seizing the cities of Aleppo and Hama; and U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump threatens 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations.   Mentioned on the Podcast   Steven A. Cook, “What Syria’s Revived Civil War Means for the Region,” CFR.org   John Deluray, “Martial Law in South Korea,” CFR.org   Sarah Jeong, “Six Hours Under Martial Law in Seoul,” The Verge   Brad W. Setser, X   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/twnw/turmoil-south-korea-french-government-collapses-syrian-rebels-reignite-conflict-and-more