In this episode of Conversation Changers our President and CEO Martin Weiss sits down with Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times in Europe. Over four decades, Steven has reported from more than 120 countries, serving as bureau chief in cities from Moscow to Jerusalem to London to Bangkok. He's a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for his sharp insights on Russia and the shifting balance of power across Europe and beyond.

In this conversation, Steven and Martin discuss the current state of Europe in relation to the United States, the challenges posed by migration, his experiences in Moscow during pivotal moments in history, and the complexities of understanding Putin's narrative regarding Ukraine. The dialogue highlights the shifting dynamics of power, economic decline, and the impact of migration on European societies.

Chapters

00:00 The Decline of Europe: A Historical Perspective

06:01 Migration Challenges in Europe

11:01 Reflections on Moscow: A Journalist's Journey

16:46 Understanding Putin: The Russian Narrative

About Steven Erlanger

Steven Erlanger is the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times, covering Europe from his base in Berlin. He writes on foreign policy, European policy, diplomacy, conflict, migration, and integration, with more recent focus on NATO, American foreign policy, Russia, and the war in Ukraine.

He studied political philosophy and government at Harvard and later taught at the Kennedy School of Government. Having grown up during the Vietnam War, attended Woodstock, and found his way into journalism, he began at The Boston Globe before joining The New York Times in 1987.

Erlanger has reported from more than 120 countries, some of them no longer in existence, and has served as bureau chief in London, Bangkok, Moscow, Paris, Jerusalem, Berlin, Brussels, Prague, and Belgrade, as well as chief diplomatic correspondent in Washington.

Among his many honors, he has shared in two Pulitzer Prizes: one in 2002 for coverage of Al Qaeda and another in 2017 for reporting on Russia.

Find out more about Salzburg Global on salzburgglobal.org

To launch Conversation Changers, Eric Olander speaks with Martin Weiss, our President and Chief Executive Officer, to reflect on Salzburg Global’s origins in the aftermath of WWII — and why our mission of fostering dialogue and reconciliation is more urgent than ever.

From the historic setting of Schloss Leopoldskron to the role of the arts and listening in bridging divides, this conversation sets the stage for what’s to come: bold ideas, diverse voices, and stories of transformation.

Find out more about Salzburg Global here: salzburgglobal.org

Change begins with conversation.

For over 75 years, Salzburg Global has brought together diverse voices at Schloss Leopoldskron to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Now, we’re opening the doors even wider.

Introducing Conversation Changers — our brand new podcast where thought leaders, artists, policymakers, and change-makers from around the globe come together to reframe dialogue, explore new ideas, and imagine better futures.

Join us now and be part of changing the conversation!