From Bari with Updates: Get ready for a whirlwind tour of global headlines-straight from the sun-soaked streets of Bari, Italy! In this special episode of Over Here, Over There, Dan Harris and Claudia Koestler dive into the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, unpacking the drama, tradition, and global impact of the Vatican’s latest conclave. But that’s not all: they´re also breaking down the latest twists in the US-UK trade deal and what it means for politics, business, and ordinary people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Join two friends from different worlds as we bridge borders, share local flavor from southern Italy, and offer fresh, informed takes on the stories shaping our world right now. Whether you’re a news junkie, a politics buff, or just curious about how global events connect us all, this episode is your passport to insight and lively debate.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe-tell us what you think about the new pope and the future of transatlantic relations!

Who is Friedrich Merz, and why is the world watching Germany’s new chancellor? In this special monologue, Claudia Koestler, co-host of the Over Here, Over There podcast, dives into the dramatic rise, fall, and stunning comeback of Friedrich Merz. Discover his unique biography, from corporate lawyer to CDU leader, his years in political exile, and his return to power at age 69. Claudia unpacks the controversies, the coalition drama, and what Merz’s conservative, transatlantic vision means for Germany, Europe, and the world. Whether you’re a politics buff or just curious about global leadership, this episode brings you the insights and stories behind the headlines. Subscribe for more international perspectives!

Takeaways

• Friedrich Merz has a complex political history
• His rivalry with Angela Merkel shaped his career
• Merz's return marks a shift in CDU leadership
• He is perceived as arrogant and divisive
• His approach to the far-right is controversial
• Merz's policies may be more confrontational than his predecessor
• He faces challenges in a fragmented Bundestag
• Public perception of Merz is mixed and critical
• His leadership could impact transatlantic relations
• The future of German politics is uncertain under Merz

Please see this and other 'Over Here, Over There' episodes at www.overhereoverthere.org. Please don't forget to like, subscribe, and add to the discussion. Thank you!

Summary

Over Here, Over There podcast hosts Claudia Koestler and Dan Harris discuss the current political landscape in Germany and the EU, as Dan was passing through Munich Franz Joseph Flughafen (Airport) enjoy a which also included a delicious alkohol-frei Pilsner beer. On tap was the light of recent tariffs and the shifting dynamics of international relations. Claudia emphasizes the need for Europe to find its own voice and unity in the absence of a reliable US partnership, while also addressing the implications of rising right-wing politics within the EU. Dan, being a multi-national citizen, concludes with reflections on the evolving special relationship between the UK and the US post-Brexit, with Italy and Georgia Meloni's government getting a special mention.

Takeaways

• The German government needs to find its backbone and voice
• Europe must seek independence and shared values
• China is forming alliances while the US is less reliable
• Trust issues in partnerships are becoming more pronounced
• Multilateralism is challenged by current US politics
• Europe needs to present a united front for democracy
• The UK-US special relationship is under scrutiny post-Brexit
• Right-wing politics are gaining traction in some EU countries
• Countries are pursuing their own agendas within the EU
• The future of EU unity depends on overcoming internal divisions