Ode to dread: Europe after Trump

This Economist Intelligence podcast discusses Europe's growing security concerns amid a perceived shift in American foreign policy focus. The podcast features interviews with the defense editor, who highlights Europe's insufficient military capabilities and heavy reliance on American support, and the Africa correspondent, who analyzes France's withdrawal from its former African colonies and the resulting security vacuum. A segment also covers the unexpectedly high-profile attendance at the Maha Kumbh Mela in India, linking its popularity to economic growth, changing social perceptions of Hinduism, and political maneuvering. The overall message underscores Europe's need for increased defense spending and strategic re-evaluation, while illustrating the complex interplay between faith, politics, and social change in India. For example, the defense editor notes that European armies struggle to field even one combat-capable brigade, highlighting their significant underinvestment in defense.